ASC opens nominations for Sport Volunteer of the Year award and announces new Volunteer Action Plan

Nominations are now open for the Australian Sports Commission's (ASC) 2026 Sport Volunteer of the Year award, celebrating individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, commitment and impact within their community.

First awarded in 2022, the Award aims to shine a spotlight on volunteers who go above and beyond for their clubs, competitions and programs, recognising the people who make Australian sport possible.

Nominations open alongside the release of the ASC's National Sport Volunteering Action Plan 2026–29, which sets out 14 actions to make volunteering easier and more rewarding.

The new Plan responds directly to sector feedback and the issues being faced by volunteers, including administrative burden, fragmented support and burnout.

Volunteers contribute millions of hours each year to clubs, competitions and community programs, forming an essential pillar of Australian sport. Each year, 2.8 million Australians volunteer in sport, collectively contributing 168 million hours with an estimated $4.1 billion in labour value.

While 88 per cent of volunteers report having a positive experience, the new Plan aims to combat the obstacles that lead to volunteers dropping out of sport and may hinder potential volunteers from signing up.

ASC CEO Kieren Perkins said the latest Plan, which follows the success of the inaugural 2022-26 Action Plan, provides a clear roadmap for both growing volunteer numbers and enriching their involvement.

"This new Action Plan reflects what volunteers and clubs have told us. It sets out practical actions to reduce pressure, remove barriers and make volunteering a more enjoyable and sustainable experience," Perkins said.

"Australian sport simply doesn’t function without volunteers. They are the coaches, officials, administrators and community leaders who enable all of us to play, learn, connect and enjoy.

"We want to ensure everyone has a place in sport and strengthening the volunteer pipeline is essential to making this happen."

The ASC will work closely with National Sporting Organisations, National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability and community clubs to support implementation of the Plan and track progress across the sector.

Volunteering is a cornerstone of Australia’s first national participation strategy, Play Well, which ensures everyone – including volunteers – has a place in sport.

Each year, the ASC recognises the important role volunteers play through the ASC Volunteer of the Year Award.

The 2025 ASC Sport Volunteer of the Year, Veronica Treloar, believes recognising those who give their time, effort and expertise is a critical part of retaining and attracting volunteers.

"Volunteers often say they don’t do it for recognition, but recognition genuinely matters. It builds pride, strengthens connection and encourages others to get involved," Treloar said.

"Being named the ASC Sport Volunteer of the Year was incredibly humbling – it shone a light not just on me, but on my club and the community that supports everything we do. Celebrating volunteers reminds people that their contribution has real impact. It inspires others to put their hand up and lend a hand.

"For me personally, this award reminded me of why I started volunteering in the first place: to help people feel welcome, supported and part of something bigger. It reinforces that the small things we do, week after week, genuinely matter, and it motivates me to keep giving back to the community."

Finalists will be announced in late November, with the winner to be named in early December to align with International Volunteer Day (Saturday, December 5), where a special presentation will be made at their home club.

Nominations close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 18. Full criteria and nomination details are available here.