2023 Vic Sport Awards winners announced

Cricket Victoria congratulates the Cricket community’s winners at the 2023 Victorian Sport Awards announced on Wednesday 12 June. The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of Victorians who have made an exceptional contribution to their sport. Congratulations to this year’s winners: Burwood Cricket Club – Community Sporting Club of the Year, and Russell Turner – Community Official of the Year.

Burwood Cricket Club – Community Sporting Club of the Year

Burwood Cricket Club have both a female President and Secretary and the club’s female cohort grew by 35% in 2023, following the sponsorship of Zimbabwean cricketer, Modester Mupachikwa, who both played and coached. She inspired the club to create a second senior women’s team, comprised of middle-aged women who had never played cricket before, and also led a ‘Joint Healthy Living’ event at the club which celebrated Zimbabwean culture and welcomed the whole community.

Burwood Cricket Club President, Kate Bellamy, created and hosted a ‘Fix the Mix’ information session tackling gender inequity within cricket. The event brought many clubs together with council in an open discussion, sharing ideas and best practices. Amid celebrations of its 150th year, Burwood CC provided external education to its members on mental health, wellbeing and ‘Healthy Masculinity’. They also introduced a ‘Walk & Talk’ session after training, giving teammates the chance to openly connect and check in with each other.

The Vic Sports Award is a fitting recognition of all their incredible work this season, during which they have also been awarded: Cricket Victoria’s Community Partnership of the Year Runner Up, City of Boroondara’s Collaborative Club of the Year Award, Good Sports Victorian Club of the Year Winner and Good Sports National Club of the Year Runner Up, and not surprisingly, the Eastern Cricket Association’s Best Administered Club award, for the 3rd time in 6 seasons. Congratulations Burwood Cricket Club!

Russell Turner – Community Official of the Year

Umpiring at a number of cricket associations across several levels, Russell Turner also serves as Victorian Womens Cricket Association (VWCA) Historian and has authored ‘VWCA Umpire Association 80-year History’. Russell has taken on roles as a Premier Cricket on-field umpire mentor where he focuses on developing young talent, passing on his years of expertise and fostering a positive environment for cricket officiating. His mentorship has not only benefitted individual umpires but contributed to the overall improvement of officiating standards in cricket throughout the state.

The Vic Sports Award caps off another successful year for Russell, who was also awarded the Pioneers’ Award for Outstanding Service to Women’s Cricket. He will also be recognised again at the Pioneers’ 91st anniversary luncheon in August. Congratulations Russ!

Photographs of the Victorian Sport Awards 2023, held at Marvel Stadium, Victory Room in Melbourne. Images produced by Fifty Mil Studios | fiftymilstudios.com.au | studio@50mm.com.au