TEMORA SHIRE’S ANNUAL SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD’S CANCELLED FOR 2017

“It is with a great deal of regret that the Temora & District Sports Council (TDSC) Delegates overwhelming voted to cancel this year’s scheduled

36th annual Temora & District Sportsman of the Year Awards dinner,” President of the TDSC, Cr Rick Firman said.

The dinner was to be held on Friday 12th May, at the Temora Ex-Services Memorial Club.

At last night’s monthly meeting of the Temora Shire’s sporting club delegates, the TDSC Executive recommended to the Club Delegates the awards dinner be cancelled for this year.

“This was a decision not made lightly, and one the Executive considered at length. However, it was the only decision that could realistically be made, due to the lack of nominations. We had one category that had four nominations, and the remainder of the sections had one each. This Awards dinner simply wasn’t viable for us to continue with this year,” Cr Firman added.

“We acknowledge, over the past 12 months, there has not been the usual, overall success in several sporting Clubs as there has been. We can fall into the trap of expecting our sporting teams and individuals to continue excelling every year. Whilst we realise there has been some outstanding success by some individuals and teams, and we warmly commend those involved, however, to host an awards dinner where there is only one nomination in the vast majority of categories, it just would not be appropriate to continue with the ceremony. We do not wish to inadvertently diminish the standing of our awards night, which have built in prestige since their creation in 1982, when athlete Mr. Doug Scott won the very first Temora Sportsman of the Year Award.

“What the Executive and Delegates have resolved is for 2018 Sportsman of the Year Award nominations to be open to the past two years’ worth of sporting achievement, so as not to disregard the past 12 months,” Cr Firman said. “Those that have been nominated this year can be assured their achievements are something we are proud of, and they will have their chance to be acknowledged at next year’s awards dinner, where we are confident they will proceed.

“We have informed our intended special guest speaker, former AFL Swans Captain and Brownlow Medallist, Mr Paul Kelly, who understood completely. We have also informed Temora Shire Council, our valued sponsors and all others involved, including Federal Member for Riverina, the Hon. Michael McCormack MP – who has been a sponsor and keen supporter for the past several years.

The TDSC Executive were pleased with the lengthy debate which took place, with both sides of the argument presented. Whilst the debate was spirited, it was respectful and everyone accepted the ultimate decision. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour (albeit reluctantly) of abandoning this year’s awards ceremony, with 25 Delegates in attendance at the meeting.

The TDSC is a section 355 committee of Council, which was formed in 1980 to deal with Council’s sports related matters, and to acknowledge and reward outstanding sporting achievement. “We have done this for the past 35 years and will continue to do so”.

“The TDSC are very pleased with the support for our various grants, which will be presented at the May delegates meeting. These grants are a McDonald’s Temora Building / Equipment Grant of $1,000, a South West Slopes Credit Union (SWSCU) Building & Equipment Grant, a TDSC grant and a SWSCU Junior Sports Development Grant all of $500. The candidates were all very deserving and there were several in each category, which made it viable to continue with”, Cr Firman said.

“The TDSC has been extremely active over the past 12 months, and we are proud of our work, particularly when you look at the Elite Sportsman’s Walk of Honour in Paleface Park, we unveiled in February this year. This is a major project that took us two years to consider and finalise, however, when you see the plaques being looked at each day by locals and visitors alike, it makes it all worthwhile”, Cr Firman said.

“The TDSC Executive will now go away and work on a total review of the award categories and deliver a report back to delegates. It is important we review current practice from time to time, and this decision has presented us with an opportunity to do this in a thorough and considered manner.

“It is our understanding that this is the first time in the Sportsman of the Year awards history that there has not been a Sportsman of the Year awards function. It’s something we are not pleased about - it’s quite devastating for us all if I’m being totally frank. However, when all things are considered, and believe me they were, the right decision has been made”, Cr Firman concluded.