How three sporting clubs turned spotlight into success

As the search begins to crown Australia’s 2025 Sport Volunteer of the Year, we reflect on the powerful ripple effect the award has had on past winners’ clubs.  

In 2022, Nicole Williams of Brighton Cricket Club (SA) became the award’s inaugural recipient.  

Though Williams now volunteers at a new club, her legacy at Brighton continues. Williams helped drive a surge in junior participation and recruited a record number of volunteers.  

“‘Brighton Cricket Club has 21 junior teams again this season and continues to be one of the largest cricket clubs in Australia,” Club President Melissa Flanagan said. 

“We also have a 2025/2026 committee of 15 members, the largest committee we have ever had.” 

Williams also blazed a trail for female leadership. Upon her retirement, Flanagan stepped up to become the club’s first female President in their 158-year history. 

“Nicole demonstrated that women have a lot to offer the sport of cricket,” Flanagan said. 

In 2023, Elysa Oliveri from Blowfly and Thornleigh Cricket Clubs (NSW) took out the national honour. Since then, both clubs have gone from strength to strength.  

Blowfly’s cricket school program expanded, unlocking new opportunities for coaches.  

“A few of these coaches have gone on to receive their representative coaching accreditation, and even jobs at Cricket NSW.” 

Meanwhile Thornleigh Cricket Club was named the 2025 Cricket NSW Community Club of the Year and selected for the Belong Bash fund.  

In 2024, Julie Keillor of Shepparton Canoe Club (VIC) was recognised for her work with the All Abilities Paddling Program — and the results to date have been remarkable.  

“Our numbers more than tripled over the summer period,” Keillor said.  

Thanks to national exposure, club participation skyrocketed from 259 to 830 in just 12 months.  

“We are now an accepted part of the wider paddling community. Most recently we have been asked to run a demonstration race at the Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint Grand Prix 1 in Nagambie this November.” 

Now, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is looking for the next changemaker — the 2025 Sport Volunteer of the Year — someone who has made an extraordinary impact in the past 12 months.  

The winner will receive national recognition and be honoured at a special presentation at their home club this December.  

Nominations close this Sunday 26 October 2025: 2025 ASC Sport Volunteer of the Year | ASC