2024 Victorian Sport Award winners announced

Jointly presented by the Victorian Government and Vicsport on Wednesday 14 May 2025, this year’s awards were held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where winners across 19 categories were announced.

Following a record 330 nominations received from state sporting associations as well as teammates, club members, friends, family and the local community members, an esteemed panel of 45 experienced members of the Victorian sports community were responsible for selecting both the finalists and winners.

The most prestigious honour awarded on the night, the Outstanding Contribution to Victorian Sport Award was presented to Mel Jones OAM.

A pioneer on and off the cricket field, Mel has challenged stereotypes and broken down barriers for women in a traditionally male-dominated sport.

She has represented Australia from 1997-2005 and won two Ashes campaigns as well as two ODI World Cups in 1997 and 2005.

She was one of the first female commentators for the Indian Premier League, the first female lead for the Big Bash League, and has been a regular with Fox Sports Cricket over the Australian summer and Sky Sports over the England summer.

Mel has also helped support, develop and expand career opportunities for women in sport, through cricket as well as the broader sporting industry.

'My sporting career, on and off the field, has been shaped by the experiences I’ve had in Victorian sport. From playing to coaching, volunteering, administration, calling and as a fan. I, like so many others, developed a passion for sport through a community of sports loving people and have tried in different ways to ensure other Victorians experience the joy of what sport can bring,' she said.

One of her greatest achievements was assisting in the evacuation of the Afghanistan national women’s cricket team during the overthrow of the Afghanistan government by the Taliban. With a coterie of trusted, reliable and proactive women, they secured 135 Humanitarian Visas for the players and their families, acting in the face of terrifying deadlines and threats.

Other award winners included Vicsport Volunteer of the Year Award winner David Kearsley from the Knox Little Athletics Club.

David’s decades-long involvement with Little Athletics has provided a strong foundation for his leadership role at the club. He played an integral part in the recent transformation of Knox Little Athletics’ facilities and helped Knox Little Athletics host the 2024 State Championships, welcoming over 2000 athletes from across Victoria.

'It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time with the centre, seeing so many athletes come together in one place was incredible, and knowing that I played a part in making it happen was really special,' he said.

Calisthenics Victoria also scored the VicHealth Sport and Active Recreation Initiative of the Year Award for its new CaliStars program.

Designed to empower performers with disability to shine on stage, the initiative has gone from strength to strength, providing a safe and inclusive environment to perform, dance, sing and develop gymnastics and technical skills, while also fostering friendship and teamwork.

To find out more about all the winners and finalists in the 19 total award categories visit the 2024 Victorian Sport Awards