Football Victoria (FV) is proud to announce the shortlisted nominees for the highly anticipated 2023 Community Awards, which recognize the exceptional individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to grassroots football in Victoria.
The Community Awards celebrate the dedication, passion, and hard work of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make football accessible and enjoyable for all.
The shortlisted nominees in each category have been selected based on their outstanding achievements and commitment to the growth and development of Victorian football.
Here are the shortlisted nominees for the 2023 Community Awards:
MiniRoos Centre of the Year
- Keilor Park SC
- Kyneton District SC
- Pascoe Vale FC
Also nominated: Wodonga Heart FC
Community Female Coach of the Year
- Angelina Sango (Malvern City FC)
- Eva Harper (FC Birrarung)
- Pina Mollica (Keilor Park SC)
Also nominated: Anne Rossi (Williams Landing FC), Deb Thomas (Barnstoneworth United FC)
Community Male Coach of the Year
- Andrew Buttigieg (Keilor Park SC)
- Tome Petreski (West Point SC)
- Ryan Harris (Wodonga Heart FC)
Also nominated: Joe Fraietta (West Point SC), Nick Katsis (Pascoe Vale FC), Michael Kathopoulis (South Melbourne Womens FC), Paul McCarthy (Manningham United Blues FC)
Community Female Referee of the Year
- Georgia Booth
- Caitlin Lyon
- Tina Zafiropoulos
Community Male Referee of the Year
- Christien James
- Hengsheng Li
- Cam Moreno
Male Volunteer of the Year
- Aaron Shooter (Castlemaine Goldfields FC/ Bendigo Amateur Soccer League (BASL)
- Michael Cockburn (Manningham United Blues FC)
- Ron Cole (Kyneton District SC/ Bendigo Amateur Soccer League (BASL)
Also nominated: Daniel Levy (Glen Eira FC), Darren Govan (Barnstoneworth United FC), Bill Athanasopoulis (South Melbourne FC), Kevin Griffiths (Aspendale Stingrays SC), Nathan McLean (Footscray Rangers FC), Peter Zapantis (Frankston Pines), Stephen McLaughlan (Mooroolbark SC)
Female Volunteer of the Year
- Amanda Armstrong (Whitehorse United FC)
- Marilyn Tyndall (Forest Rangers SC)
- Jessica Buttigieg (Keilor Park SC)
Also nominated: Helen Tzatzakis (South Melbourne FC), Mary Bonaros (Fawkner SC), Robyn Alhajji (Williams Landing FC), Stephanie Moskuljuk (Satellite SC)
Futsal Club/Centre of the Year
- East City Wolves FC
- Futsal Ballarat
- Futsal Melbourne
Also nominated: Futsaloon5
Regional Club of the Year
- Sale United FC
- Kyneton District SC
- Warrnambool Wolves FC
Also nominated: Forest Rangers SC, Irymple Knights SC, Spring Gully United SC, Shepparton United SC
Metropolitan Club of the Year
- Yarraville Glory FC
- Eltham Redbacks FC
- Manningham United Blues FC
Also nominated: Chelsea FC, Doreen United FC, Keilor Park SC, Maccabi FC Caulfield, Aspendale Stingrays SC
Female Football Champion of the Year
- Heather McGiddy (Brunswick City SC)
- Aspendale Stingrays SC
- Kevin Milstein (Maccabi FC Caulfield)
FV would like to extend its sincere appreciation to all other nominated candidates, those who submitted nominations, and the dedicated individuals and organizations supporting and promoting football across the state.
The winners will be announced at the upcoming FV Community in Business (FVCIB) event to be held on Thursday, November 16th in the MCC Dining Room at the iconic MCG between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.