By BENNY PIKE
FOR the past 48 years the Sunshine Coast Sports Federation has helped acknowledge the achievements of local athletes through its highly successful and one-of-a-kind Sport Star of the Year awards.
Palmwoods painter Tony Cash – the reigning National and South Seas Flyweight Boxing Champion – scored the first honour in 1968. He wasn’t the only national titleholder in the running: Waterski kingpin Greg Rogerson and life-saving icon Hayden Kenny and Vigoro whiz Dell Carr were among the finalists.
1989 saw the first change with a new committee, whose first move was to include a junior category – and with great delight lanky 17-year-old Clint Robinson took it out, which would just be one of many in his glittering career. The Olympic Champion is presently on the coaching staff at Sunshine Beach Surf Club, a major coup.
Ten years later, it was decided to move with the times and become incorporated, and change the name and branding to Advance Sports and again add new categories – Coach, Team, Administrator and Event of the Year were put in place to widen the opportunities to congratulate people who excelled in their chosen fields.
It really only followed the trend that was becoming evident with the high calibre of events that were starting up across the Coast.
The development and growth of the Sunshine Coast Uni was another pressing factor that encouraged the committee to make these changes. More high class sporting facilities have increased the development and lift the standard of competition and performance of both athlete, team, coach and administrator.
During this time, the Sports Federation has been steadfast on its 1968 mission statement to foster and promote sport on the Sunshine Coast. It has never altered, and hopefully never will, and I suppose the old saying ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ says it all.
It is estimated that during this time the federation has invested just over $2 million into the local sporting community.
Other than expenses, the money has gone into fostering and promoting local sport. The organisation has had some terrific and loyal sponsors over the years, and raised funds with many and varied events/raffles/auctions/grants.
Last Friday, there another milestone with the announcement of annual Sports Industry Awards for Clubs/Organisations, which now covers the whole gamut from the fields to the clubhouse.
These awards clearly make the federation one of a kind in Queensland, and always loyal to its beliefs.
To back this up, over the past four weeks and forward over the next six weeks, there has and will be 40 Coast athletes representing Australia – some 21 swimmers at the Russian World Titles, Jordan Mercer in the Aussie Lifesaving squad, Tewantin’s Sam Cameron-Hands ready to punch on at World Youth Titles, Larissa Crummer set for a glorious career with the Matildas, softballer Jocelyn McCallum back in the National Team, Belli Park cyclist Shari Gillow riding on the world circuit.
And only next month, four including St Andrew’s Brodie Modini will don the green and gold at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa.
Thanks to all who have helped over the journey.
