2023 Victorian Sport Award winners announced

Jointly presented by the Victorian Government and Vicsport on Wednesday 12 June 2024, this year’s awards were held at Marvel Stadium where winners across 19 categories were announced.

Following nominations from state sporting associations as well as teammates, club members, friends, family and the local community members, an esteemed panel of 37 experienced members of the Victorian sports community were responsible for selecting both the finalists and winners.

The night's most prestigious honour – the Outstanding Contribution to Victorian Sport Award – was presented to Dr Peter Brukner OAM, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sport in Victoria.

For more than 50 years, Peter has played an integral role in advancing sports medicine in Victoria and across the world, ensuring the health and wellbeing of thousands of athletes.

His achievements include being the Team Doctor of both the Socceroos at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the Australian Men’s Cricket Team, and he established the not-for-profit organisation SugarByHalf which raises awareness of sugar-related diseases.

Other award winners included Volunteer of the Year Award winner Hayden Eastwood, President of Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club. Hayden has driven club initiatives that have delivered positive outcomes across his community.

Initiatives have included an LGBTIQ+ Pride event and Rainbow Sets which provides weekly tennis specifically for the LGBTIQ+ community and a Future Stars program that allows children to play tennis the way they want.

The Wyndham Netball Association also scored the VicHealth Sport and Active Recreation Initiative of the Year Award. Rebecca Johnstone from the association pitched an idea to Netball Victoria (NV) to partner the Department of Education and Training’s Positive Starts Netball Grants with Wyndham Netball Association (WNA).

Offering participants complimentary ‘Train Like a Vixen’ skills sessions, Rebecca secured funding beyond the Net Set Go program for primary schools.

In all, more than 2,100 students participated across 12 schools and 20 year levels, leaving a lasting impact on the Wyndham community and revitalising the local netball scene.

To find out more about all the winners and finalists in the 19 total award categories visit the 2023 Victorian Sport Awards.