Merry Christmas and 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.
2020 has been a year like no other. The bushfires and COVID-19 have been major disrupters and I’m proud of the way our team has been able to adapt to new and challenging working conditions.
Most impressive was their ability to transition our Induction and Awards Program to prime time, free-to-air television. The 2020 SAHOF Program aired nationally on 7mate reaching over 136,000 viewers. If you missed the program, I encourage you to re-watch on 7plus (until January 6, 2021).
Other 2020 highlights included the annual National Sport Integrity Forum and the Future of Sport forum, both held in partnership with Victoria University, the third Chairs’ Round Table for Sport was produced in partnership with Sportscover, Sport Australia and the AIS for the C-Suite of Australian Sport.
Our expanded Scholarship & Mentoring Program was released and granted 32 Scholarships. Six Tier 1 recipients have been aligned with a Member as their Mentor, Ten Tier 2 recipients and 16 Tier 3 recipients make this program one of the finest in the land.
Read more about SAHOFs year here.
Please be advised the Sport Australia Hall of Fame office will be closed from Friday, December 18, 2020 and will re-open on Monday, January 11, 2021.
2020 SAHOF Yearbook
We are pleased to bring you the very first, fully-digital Sport Australia Hall of Fame Yearbook.
It offers a full re-cap of our year including; features on our 2020 Inductees, The Don Award winners, our 42nd Legend of Australian Sport, John Eales AM and tributes to those Members that have passed away in the previous 12 months.
We also hear from SAHOF supporters, Sport Australia and sponsors, Sportscover and Victoria University, as well as our partners at the Australian Sports Museum.
The SAHOF Yearbook is live on our website and is available for you to read here.
2020 SAHOF Induction and Awards
In 2020 the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Inductions and Awards were beamed into living rooms across Australia for the very first time, with thanks to the Seven Network, on the screens of 7mate and 7plus.
If you were unable to watch the telecast or missed the show on December 4, you can re-watch it on 7plus now, until Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
Re-live Australia’s night of nights and the moment we found out who our 2020 Inductees were, who most inspired the nation, winning The Don Award for 2020 and the moment Rugby Union icon, John Eales AM, was elevated as the 42nd Legend of Australian Sport.
2020 Scholarship & Mentoring Program
The 2020 Scholarship Holders have officially reached the end of their stint within the Program however, they and their Mentors will remain in contact for life.
We would like to send a huge thank you to our Members, who have been the “secret weapon” for our up-and-comers, guiding them through what has been a challenging year; Sarah Fitz-Gerald AM, Grant Hackett OAM, Kristy Munroe AM, Kevin Sheedy AO and Libby Trickett OAM.
The impact the Program has had on our Scholarship Holders is best summed up in their own words:
WATCH Jack Denahy chat about his experience here. (Mentor: Sarah Fitz-Gerald)
“SAHOF will forever be my game-changer.” – Sade Ferguson (Mentor: Kristy Munroe)
“I feel very privileged to have been a part of this SAHOF experience. I feel that the support both financial and with Grant’s (Hackett) mentorship has helped me beyond words.” – Tom Green
“It’s been pretty unreal to be mentored by one of the best athletes Australia has ever had (Libby Trickett). She has been so good through the whole Olympic process. I can’t wait to keep talking to her during the lead up to Tokyo. She is my secret weapon.” – Lucas Plapp
“My overall experience was fantastic. I appreciate it so much in what has been a challenging year with lock down. My Mentor was Kevin Sheedy, I was super stoked about it because I got a whole new perspective on everything from physical training to mental training. I loved the whole program.” – Hayley Wilson
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.
Scholarship Spotlight
Congratulations to 2021 Scholarship Holder, Molly Picklum, who after her recent victory at the Northern Beaches Open, shot to the runner-up position on the Australian of Open of Surfing series leaderboard. Mentor Debbie Watson OAM.
Image: Surfing NSW
Sponsor News
Sport Australia’s Sporting Schools Program
Sport Australia’s Sporting Schools Program plays an important role in helping Australian children stay active and engaged, in what has been a challenging year for so many. By partnering with 36 national sporting organisations, Sporting Schools delivered over 2 million opportunities for students to play sport in 2020.
Funding has been secured through the Federal Budget to continue the program through to the end of 2021, giving students access to a broad range of sports for free at school, while widening the pool of potential future sporting champions.
Sportscover
Insurance specifically designed for sport, fitness and leisure
Sportscover is a world leading specialist sport, fitness and leisure insurer with 34+ years’ experience of providing insurance products specifically designed for sport, fitness and leisure, all backed by first class security.
Sportscover’s point of difference is that our Company and its people are genuinely invested in the health and success of Australian sport and the sport, fitness and leisure sector. We were the only insurer to provide bushfire recovery grants to community sports clubs earlier this year and the first to provide flexible insurance arrangements for clients impacted by COVID-19.
Our Company continues to explore ways we can meaningfully assist sports, particularly now that clubs and associations can get back up and running. We are taking a blue sky approach to this, so please visit www.blueskyinsurance.com.au for details.
Victoria University
Unlocking the key to a Hall of Fame career
Landing a role that involves Australia’s past and present sporting legends may seem like a long-shot for many job-hunters. But the work placements Chris Little completed during his studies gave him all the necessary experience and networks for a career break at Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF).
While Chris’ study journey began in science, he discovered he could make a career from his passion for sport, especially at VU, ranked ninth globally for sport education (Shanghai Rankings 2020).
“My partner saw how much I enjoyed managing the VU football team, and suggested I change to a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management,” he says.
Seizing practical experience from VU’s hundreds of sport industry partnerships, Chris completed a placement as a heritage cadet at the Western Bulldogs AFL Club, and at SAHOF, where he helped coordinate the annual awards gala dinner.
He soon gained the experience and confidence to earn a permanent role at SAHOF as its heritage coordinator. Chris uses his sport research and analysis skills, and broad historical knowledge, to oversee the selection of new SAHOF members.
“I gained a deep understanding of my own ability through my VU course, and the industry placements were vital in leading me to my exciting career path at SAHOF.”
