The 2022 Calendar year was celebrated last night with close to 300 guests at The Basketball Victoria Awards (2023) – held at Q Events in CBD Melbourne. The evening was all about celebrating the achievements, triumphs and contributions of our athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and valued volunteers who improve our sport every day.
We were also lucky to have Victorian basketball royalty with Michele Timms, Cheryl Chambers, Chris Anstey, Chris Reid and Michael Walker all sharing stories and insights from their amazing careers as part of a panel hosted MC Candy Hertz and mini MC Max Chapman.
We were also lucky to hear from Ashley Donaldson and Meagan Keating who are fantastic administrators as they shared what it takes to be a volunteer and what the sport gives back to them and the community.
It was a great celebration of Victorian basketball, please see the list of winners below:
Henry Perazzo - Technical Official of The Year
Chris Reid
Chris was a referee in the NBL 2022 season and was appointed to the FIBA World Cup 2022. Chris previously has won the VBRA Knox Referee of the Decade for 1999-2008
Eddie Crouch - Referee Program of The Year
Casey
The winning program is selected upon achievement through development and increased referee numbers among other criteria.
Basketball Athlete of The Year With An Intellectual Disability:
Montana Haag
Montana’s achievements include:
- Winning a Gold Medal for Australian Pearls at Brisbane Oceania Asia Games 2022
- Being selected for Australian Peals Global Games in France 2023
- Winning the Ivor Burge Women Gold Meal 2022 & 2023 in Victoria
- And winning the Ivor Burge Women 3X3 Women MVP
Congratulations Montana and well done on your achievements.
Charles Ryan Award- Wheelchair Athlete of The Year:
Laura Davoli
The Wheelchair Athlete of the Year Award has been named after the late Charles Ryan for his amazing contributions to wheelchair basketball.
Lauras achievements include:
- SDP Athlete
- National Championships- Bronze
- Being a part of the first Athlete intake into the new VIS Wheelchair Basketball program
- Winning a Gold Medal at the AOZ Tournament with Gliders in May
- Playing National League for NSW Blues
- And winning a WNWBL National Title playing for Perth Wheelcats
Media Award
Brayden May
Brayden is a sports journalist for Newscorp who has helped to acknowledge and highlight our leagues, competitions and pathways through positive reporting across the following competitions: CBL, Big V and JCC’s.
Lindsay Gaze Award - Coach of The Year
John Walsh
Amongst his achievements:
- U12 Girls VC Champions Undefeated
- U12 Girls National Classic Champions Undefeated
- U12 Girls Adelaide Tournament Champions Undefeated
Junior Program of The Year
McKinnon
The Junior Program of the Year is awarded to the Association which has achieved growth in their junior elite numbers, improved their specialist clinics, school promotions and coaching programs at a domestic and representative level, as well as conducting junior development programs and up-skilling coaches, team managers, and parents.
McKinnon has seen growth in Membership and Participation and provided a New development Program, Initiatives and holiday camps.
Female Junior Player of The Year
Sophie Taylor
Some of Sophies achievements:
- Sophie Averaged 19.5 points per game at National Championship with Vic Country.
- She was selected in the U15 Sapphires Australian Women’s team that competed in the Oceania Championships in Guam who won Gold.
- Awarded All Star 5 at the Oceania Championships
Male Junior Player of The Year
Harry Beauchamp
Some of Harrys achievements
- Awarded a National Performance Program Scholarship
- Named U16 Vic Metro State Team Capitan
- U16 National Gold Medal – Vic Metro (Perth)
- U15 Australian Team – Oceania Gold Medal
- Invited to the National Performance Camp
Betty Watson - Female Player of The Year
Ezi Magbegor
This award is presented to the female player who has achieved outstanding success at state, national or international level throughout the year.
Alan Hughes - Male Player of The Year
Josh Giddey
The Alan Hughes Award is named after late Victorian Basketball Association President Alan Hughes. Alan had a major influence on the Organisation and direction of the Association in its early years. To commemorate his contribution the Alan Hughes Award is awarded to the male player who has made the greatest contribution at State, National or International levels throughout 2022.
Allan Ashe - Volunteer of The Year
Rebecca Lewis
Rebecca is secretary at Surfcoast, runs the Aussie Hoops program and runs their social media platforms amongst many other tasks. She has been instrumental in the growth of the association in domestic and rep teams and always keeps a strong connection with the community.
Jack Terrill - Outstanding Contribution To Basketball In Country Victoria
Yvonne Higgins
‘Higgs’ as she was lovingly known by many people throughout country basketball, was a tireless advocate of our sport. She was involved in basketball for nearly 50 years in every role imaginable – starting at 14 years old as a player before becoming a referee, coach, committee member, mentor and association president for 38 years.
As a player, she represented Maffra at Country Championships and Country Week, winning various state titles in different divisions with what many would say was a picture perfect jump shot.
She was a referee at many Country Championships, often getting medal games, as well as all local tournaments. Many Maffra domestic and representative teams will fondly remember Higg as their coach throughout her time with the club, including children of athletes she had previously coached.
Jack Carter Award - Administrator of The Year
Wayne Holdsworth
Wayne has been instrumental in increasing domestic growth and referee development in Frankston and converting rates from introduction programs to competition. He has in 2022 developed and redeveloped many programs in the all ability and D&I space and introduced a parent behaviour education program at the association.
Inclusive Basketball Association of The Year
Riddells Creek
This Award recognises the contribution an Association has made towards the provision of diverse and inclusive programs and practices for participants with a disability, provides a supportive and accessible environment; culturally specific programs; adaptability and a positive attitude, all of which build a more inclusive community and greater social cooperation and cohesion.
Association of The Year
Bendigo
The Basketball Association of the Year Award is presented to the Association which has had an outstanding year in all facets of basketball; including membership development, junior development and camps, referee and coach development and championship results, both senior and junior.
