The Vikings Group tonight celebrated the sporting achievements of its 360 Canberran teams across 51 sporting codes, at its Annual Sports Awards evening.
Awards were presented for Best Team Performance, Outstanding Coaching or Officiating Achievement of the Year and Outstanding Individual Sporting Achievement. Ten scholarship opportunities were also awarded to athletes who have fulfilled sporting and academic criteria, with recipients ranging from gymnasts and swimmers, to squash players and BMX racers. The event welcomed Mr Brendan Smyth MLA and Mr Andrew Wall MLA.
Ranging from juniors to seniors, the Vikings Group facilitates competitive sporting teams for over 7,000 individuals, making a valuable contribution to Canberra’s sporting community.
Jonathan Toze, President of the Tuggeranong Netball Association, the winner of Best Team Performance Award for their Division 1 State League Netball Team, said although the Group has achieved great results through its many strong rugby union teams, it’s important to celebrate The Vikings Group’s support to a much wider sports offering, such as Netball, a predominantly Women’s sport.
“We’ve got over 600 juniors under the age of 15 and over 1000 grass roots members registered to play netball with a drive to double that number in the Tuggeranong Valley, so it’s great to see the sport doing so well,” he said.
“What’s great about the Vikings Group is that it caters for all kinds of sports, whether it be athletics, waterpolo, taekwondo or even archery, there are just so many options available for the community to get involved in.
“With so many members actively engaged in Vikings sporting groups, it was wonderful to have such great turnout for the awards.”
Gwyn Rees, Chief Executive of ClubsACT, explained the essential role Canberra clubs play in fostering the growth of a diverse sporting culture for all ACT residents, by providing accessible, inclusive and positive environments that improve the wellbeing of the community.
“The Vikings Group support a total of 3,600 juniors across its 207 sporting teams. They’re just one of the fifty community clubs who help increase children’s participation in sport and opportunities for social connection,” he said.
“ACT clubs have donated $131.6 million to local sport teams and sporting infrastructure since 2000. Together, they maintain over 400 hectares of urban green space, including sports fields, bowling greens, tennis courts and even BMX tracks.
“The Canberra clubs’ not-for-profit model ploughs revenue back into our community, with more than $125 million in contributions made in the last decade. We are proud of this irreplaceable contribution and impact ACT clubs make on the community.”
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Sally English
OPF Consulting
0412 440 213
sally@opfconsulting.com.au
About ClubsACT
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Established in 1974, ClubsACT is an industry association recognised by the ACT Government and its agencies as the principal representative for the 47 social and sporting clubs in Canberra. All clubs in the ACT are not-for-profit organisations, proud of the community club model through which they have contributed in excess of $125 million directly into the Canberra community since 2005.
Canberra clubs support over 1,000 sporting, cultural and charitable organisations, employ over 2,300 locals and provide services to over 200,000 members of clubs and their families in the ACT. Clubs play a pivotal role in the economic and social fabric of Canberra and do more than any other industry to support local communities.