City of Bayswater sporting club volunteers recognised at Blue Ribbon Club Awards

SPORTING volunteers from leading City of Bayswater clubs were recognised at the Blue Ribbon Club Awards last month.

Emberson Little Athletics Club product and Noranda resident Tanika Lockley was named the Athlete of the Year and Bayswater Lacross Club Juniors finance director Carole Bowland won the Volunteer of the Year award.

Perth Bayswater Rugby Union Club received the Club of the Year award.

The awards, funded by Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and supported by Galleria Shopping Centre, recognised outstanding work by local clubs and their volunteers.

Lockley (15), a gold medal winner in high jump at an international competition in August, said she felt privileged to have won the award.

“When I used to train with my little athletics club, I would help a lot of the younger kids and give them advice on technique,” she said.

Lockley said she trained four times a week at Noranda Sporting Complex with coach Matthew Dean, in preparation for the state titles in March.

Bowland, who ran the under-15s national championships at the club, said volunteers did things in order for their children to play sport.

“My son has been playing since he was six and he is 30 now…I have been part of the club for 24 years,” she said.

“If you don’t have volunteers, the kids can’t afford to play.

“Lacrosse is a non-funded sport; not like America where coaches get paid and the schools have it so if we don’t have the volunteers, our children and seniors don’t get a game.”

Perth Bayswater Junior treasurer Joanne Langley, who helped the club accommodate female teams and conduct mental health initiatives said it was an honour to have won the award for the second time.

“Our club did really work hard this season.

“We lost two junior members to suicide,” she said.

“For us as volunteers as a rugby club, we give kids abroad the opportunity to play rugby.”