Please be advised the Sport Australia Hall of Fame office will be closed from Wednesday, December 23, 2021 and will re-open on Monday, January 17, 2022.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Chair John Bertrand AO offers a recap of Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s year and wishes Australia a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.
We began 2021 with feelings of hope and anticipation, and reclaimed freedoms for most sports. Unfortunately though, as the year progressed, most of the nation faced greater and lengthier restrictions due to COVID-19. This did not dampen the spirits of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and their collaborative work with our Members and sponsors and as a result we were able to execute modified events and campaigns.
We celebrated with our very own Geoff Henke AO (‘Mr Winter’) as he officially opened the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre, SAHOF hosted the sixth National Sport Integrity Forum in partnership with Victoria University, Sport Australia, the Australian Institute of Sport, Sportscover and Sport Integrity Australia; a celebration of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games where 32 SAHOF Scholarship Holders, two Members and two previous The Don Award winners combined for 19 of the 126 Australian medals across both Games; and the ‘Arm Yourself’ campaign in partnership with the Australian Government.
With thanks to Sport Australia and the AIS, our Scholarship and Mentoring Program continued its expansion by providing $150,000 to 32 Scholarship Holders across three tiers. An impressive array of sports and elite Australian junior athletes, each here to climb their own Everests, was announced throughout October.
This year’s most fulfilling outcome was the ability to launch Heroes & Legends – A Celebration of the 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame on free-to-air-television with Channel 7. Although we could not celebrate in person, the Seven Network showcased the untold stories of our eight newest Inductees, winners of The Don Award, Hall of Fame Moment, the inaugural The Dawn Award and saw two Members elevated to Legend status. The program aired nationally on December 2, reaching over 550,000 viewers and can be rewatched on 7plus.
I recognise and thank our supporting sponsors, Victoria University and Sportscover, who have worked with us to deliver real game-changers this year, and welcome BLACKROLL® to the Scholarship & Mentoring Program.
I thank our Members, Advisory Board, Directors, Selection Committee and CEO Adrianne Sarkozy and her team. It’s been a challenging year in many ways, but our organisation has engaged the public and also our Members in an array of positive ways. I look forward to seeing what new opportunities and developments are presented for SAHOF in 2022.
Read more about SAHOFs year here.
I wish you all a safe and happy festive season.
Go Australia!
John Bertrand AO
2021 SAHOF Annual Report
The 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame Annual Report is now available to read and download HERE.
Read features on all 2021 SAHOF Inductees, The Don Award and inaugural The Dawn Award winners and elevated Legends of Australian Sport Dennis Lillee AM MBE and Ian Thorpe AM, as well as tributes to those Members that have passed away in the previous 12 months and a re-cap of the 2021 Scholarship & Mentoring Program.
We also hear from SAHOF supporters, Sport Australia and sponsors, Sportscover and Victoria University, as well as our partners at the Australian Sports Museum.
Heroes & Legends – A Celebration of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame came to life again in 2021 on the screens of Channel 7 and 7plus – Australia’s Sporting Heroes and Legends – A Celebration of the 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame aired around the country on Thursday, December 2.
Congratulations again to all 2021 Award winners; Patty Mills (The Don Award), Evonne Goolagong-Cawley AC MBE (The Dawn Award) and Michelle Payne OAM (2021 Hall of Fame Moment), as well as the SAHOF Class of 2021 – Jamie Dwyer OAM, Tom Hoad AM, Libby Kosmala OAM, Anna Meares OAM, Steve Moneghetti AM, Dr Jana Pittman, Karen Rolton and Mark Viduka – and SAHOF’s two newest Legends of Australian Sport, Dennis Lillee AM MBE and Ian Thorpe AM who were honoured throughout the program.
2021 SAHOF Scholarship & Mentoring Program Update
The 2021 Scholarship Holders have finished their official participation within the Program however, they and their Mentors will remain in contact for life and Sport Australia Hall of Fame staff will continue to support them for as long as they need.
We would like to send a huge thank you to our Members, who have been the game changers for our up-and-comers, guiding them through what has been another challenging year; Susie O’Neill AM, George Gregan AM, Brad McGee OAM, Ricky Ponting AO, Graeme Lloyd and Kerri Pottharst OAM.
The impact the Program has had on our Scholarship Holders is best summed up in their own words:
- WATCH: Tier 1 Scholarship Holder Ari Gesini chats about his Mentor experience.
- WATCH: Tier 1 Scholarship Holder Oliver Moran chats about his Mentor experience.
- WATCH: Tier 2 Scholarship Holder Zoe Cuthbert chats about her experience.
- WATCH: Tier 2 Scholarship Holder Maeve Plouffe chats about her experience.
“It’s definitely the most unique program in the world that I have ever seen and been a part of. The fact that this program provides the athletes with an unlimited pass to past Legends of their sport is truly remarkable and I couldn’t be more thankful. I believe that the program is an amazing opportunity for any young up and coming athlete. It constantly pushes you in and out of your comfort zone. It teaches you to be honest with yourself and everyone around you, be accountable with your spending, be accountable for your hard work and to also explore and expand your brand. I’m forever thankful for it and can only hope that one day I am able to meet everybody involved and give back through the program myself.” – Jed Morgan
“I think it is such an incredible legacy and I feel so honoured to have been a tiny part of something so big. I loved the energy and the drive of other athletes in my position and seeing them achieve milestones such as the Olympics was super inspiring. I feel so grateful for the opportunity I had and loved it.” – Hattie Shand
“Incredible. I cannot speak highly enough about this program. It has been such a wonderful experience and the team at SAHOF have been so understanding and easy to work with. The connections I made, the people who I met and the lessons taught to me are things that I will carry not just throughout the remainder of my athletic career, but also throughout my life. They helped me secure sponsors, exemptions to travel overseas during COVID-19 lockdowns and many other experiences. Thank you so much to Bonnie and everyone at SAHOF for the generous support and guidance through such a trying and turbulent year!” – Heath Thorpe
SAHOF Member Kieren Perkins OAM appointed CEO of Australian Sports Commission
Sport Australia Hall of Fame congratulates Member and dual Olympic swimming gold medallist Kieren Perkins OAM as the new CEO of the Australian Sports Commission — the country’s peak sporting body.
Chair John Bertrand AO says “Kieren is a natural fit for this role. As a former elite athlete, former Board Member of SAHOF, Chair of Swimming Australia and CEO of Australian Unity Bank,, he is well placed to thrive as CEO, and we wish him every success.”
Perkins was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2002 after a career that yielded gold medals in the 1500m freestyle at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics as well as a myriad of World Championship and Commonwealth Games gold medals during the 1990’s.
Chair John Bertrand AO says Anderson makes a perfect choice and a welcome addition to the board utilising her strong leadership skills and excellent governance of Paralympics Australia.
“Having Lynne on the 2020 National Sport Integrity Forum panel was integral to the success of the Forum, providing attendees an insight into how she was going to guide and navigate our Paralympic Team in Tokyo. An incredible benefit to the NSO’s that are facing turbulent times.”
A strong leader and a person that’s welcoming to all that cross her path, Anderson possesses many qualities that will benefit Australian Sport.
Sport Australia Hall of Fame look forward to working with Perkins and Anderson and wish them every success throughout their respective tenures.
Joining Perkins is former Paralympics Australia CEO Lynne Anderson who has been appointed to the Board of the Australian Sport Commission.
Nominate a Sporting Great
Annually, up to eight Australians have their place etched in history with formal induction across two categories:
- Athlete Members; who have excelled at the top level of competition.
- General Members; for those who have demonstrated outstanding and game-changing achievement in roles supportive to sports participation.
Check out the SAHOF website for selection criteria, nomination forms and further information.
*Anyone can submit a nomination form.
A message from Josephine Sukkar AO – ASC Chair
Like so many Australians, sport has been a cornerstone of my life and has shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. I am passionate in my belief in sport’s unrivalled ability to unite, inspire, and build healthier, stronger communities and I am committed to ensuring that every Australian who wants to be part of a sports community, in any role, enjoys the extraordinary benefits and grows as a result of their engagement with the sport of their choice.
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC), comprising Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), is proud to support Australian sport at all levels, on behalf of the Australian Government. We nurture and develop sport at the community level with the help of our partners across the industry. This support extends to our Australian athletes competing at the pinnacle of world competition. [Read more]
BLACKROLL® & SAHOF Partnership continues into 2022
BLACKROLL® equipment is made from 100% recyclable materials and is designed for athletes and everyday life. Scholarship Holder Oliver Moran specifically uses BLACKROLL® to help smooth out micro tears in the fascia and release trigger points after training sessions.
BLACKROLL® is aimed at optimising energy efficiency and sustainability and also providing YOU with what you need and want. Recently introduced is the most efficient recovery and activation with vibration technology with the battery life of 15 hours, the most powerful available (14.5 kg stall force) and the quietest most compact gun on the market – The BLACKROLL Fascia Massage Gun.
Shop now at blackroll.com.au.
Generate Revenue for Your Club – Here’s How
Long-time SAHOF partner, Sportscover, has just launched an initiative enabling club members to generate revenue for their club. They want to empower members of the sporting community to ensure the sustainability of local clubs and guarantee the sport industry survives the economic impact of the past two years.
The last 18 months has seen many clubs & sports struggle to make ends meet with losses in revenue due to sponsorships drying up, a lack of fundraising and membership income, an increase in admin fees with the COVID rules and regulations and a drastic drop in volunteer support. The statistics are dire.
Now, more than ever, we need to support our sports clubs throughout Australia and ‘Blue Sky Assist’ has been created to enable the sporting community to do just that.
Click here to find out how you can generate revenue for your club.
Victoria University Sport Integrity Short Course
Victoria University (VU) is partnering with Sport Integrity Australia to design a professional-development short course in sport integrity.
The inaugural Sport Integrity short course will be initially offered to more than 100 senior professionals, including CEOs and integrity managers across a range of select national sporting organisations.
The course will give participants an opportunity to transition into Victoria University’s Graduate Certificate in Sport Integrity and/or the Master of Sport Business courses, which aligns with the University’s From Grass Roots to Elite: Sport Strategy, 2019-2023 .
“Victoria University is honoured and proud to be working with Sport Integrity Australia on this exciting new Sport Integrity short course. We have a long history of collaboration with industry and governing bodies, and this new phase confirms our commitment to being Australia’s leading sport university,” said Associate Professor Fabio Serpiello, postgraduate convenor in the College of Sport and Exercise Science.
The three-day course will be shaped by a number of Victoria University and Sport Integrity Australia experts, as well as alumni currently working in iconic sporting organisations.
“We are excited to work with Victoria University on the inaugural Sport Integrity course. We look forward to this important collaboration which we hope will be a valuable addition to further embedding integrity in the Australian sporting community,” said Sport Integrity Australia CEO Mr David Sharpe.
Victoria University and the College of Sport and Exercise Science have been delivering sport integrity education since 2014, along with co-delivering the annual National Sport Integrity Forum with the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
