Sport
8 April, 2026
Community sports awards recognise volunteers
TIMBOON Demons Football Netball Club has brought home an award from the 2026 South West Sport Community Sports Awards.
The club was named winner of the Community Sport and Recreation ‘Impact Initiative of the Year’ award for its WorkSafe Country Match of the Round and mental health night.
Other finalists for the award included the all-abilities gym program at Warrnambool’s AquaZone and Merrivale Cricket Club for its Pink Stumps fundraiser.
In what was a highly successful night for the Demons, the club’s Tyler Thorburn was named a finalist in the Emerging Leader of the Year award, while the Demons was one of four finalists in the Club of the Year award – which was won by the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club.
The Emerging Leader of the Year award was won by Susanna Ryan from the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club.
In the Coach of the Year category, the Demons’ Hayley Plozza was named one of three finalists, while fellow Demon Brittany Gaut was a finalist in the Women’s Leader of the Year category.
Timboon Swim Club member Lynda McKenzie was named Corangamite Shire Council’s Community Sport Volunteer of the Year Award recipient.
The 2026 South West Community Sports Awards celebrated the people, clubs and communities who underpin grassroots sport across the region.
The awards recognised and honoured the individuals and organisations driving community sport forward, highlight leadership, volunteer contribution, and the powerful role sport and recreation play in strengthening communities.
The evening provided a valuable opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of volunteers, administrators, coaches and community leaders who give their time to create environments where people can participate, connect and belong.
