This week we celebrated the many dedicated volunteers and officials at our fifth annual City of Charles Sturt Sports Awards held at Woodville Town Hall.
This annual event just keeps growing, with 46 nominations received across the 5 key award categories from 19 separate sporting clubs representing 11 different sporting codes.
Hosted by 7 News presenter Mike Smithson, the Sports Awards are supported by our generous sponsors West Beach Parks, Westfield West Lakes, Gr8r.me, SA Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) and Adelaide 36ers. A huge thank you to our judging panel too.
Congratulations to our winners:
West Beach Parks - Coach or Official of the Year
Pam Edwards – Grange Royals Hockey Club
A retired junior primary teacher and Grange resident for 50 years, Pam has been a player, coach and volunteer for Grange Royals Hockey Club since 1980 (coaching 7 senior teams, 8 junior teams and managing 3 teams).
She coordinates the clubs’ junior clinics, delivering Intro to Hockey and Sporting Schools Programs, while also taking the Under 8 & 10’s. Pam also manages the Sea Eagles Supporters Club - designed to engage more broadly with the hockey community, has been awarded Most Valuable Club Person 4 times, and a State Veterans team rep for 5 years.
Westfield West Lakes - Administrator of the Year
Matthew Wilson – Flinders Park Tennis Club
As well as juggling the Club Presidency, a business and captaining his kid’s competition teams, Matt undertakes the club’s financials. He has been instrumental in doubling coaching numbers in the past 6 months; and plays summer mixed doubles to ensure they have enough players.
Matt instigated a liquor license, introduced social nights, ensures the canteen is fully operational, and brought TVs into the clubrooms for late night footy. Moving the club into the 21st century, he learnt a payroll and invoicing system; and also set up eftpos and card payments.
gr8r.me - Young Sports Volunteer of the Year
Oliver Cenko - West Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Becoming one of West Beach Surf Life Saving Club’s youngest Patrol Vice Captains in 2023, Oliver is an active member of the Strong Culture Committee, and the Adaptive Nipper Program Committee (helping to develop the clubs first Nippers’ Program for Children with a disability).
Ollie co-chairs the Effective Lifesaver Committee, and helped establish the RAISE program, promoting gender equality and developing steps towards Aboriginal reconciliation. He also volunteers with the Disabled Surfer Association; and is currently studying occupational therapy.
SA Sports Medicine Association - Inclusion & Safety Champion Award
Peter Taylor - West Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Peter has been a member of West Beach Surf Life Saving Club for more than 30 years. In 2007, he recognised the increase in drownings within the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community; and initiated the “On the Same Wave” Program to improve water safety.
He has continued to develop and modify the program for the past 18 years, working with core groups such as the Australian Migrant Resource Centre, Australian Refugee Association; and Muslim Australia Connections SA, to positively impact and save lives.
Adelaide 36ers - Club/ Association of the Year
West Beach Surf Life Saving Club
With a new facility established in late 2023, West Beach SLSC membership has soared to over 800 lifesaving members. As well as winning Surf Life Saving SA’s 2025 competition club of the year, the club's Pink and Blue Swim event has raised over $740,000 for Breast and Prostate Cancer since 2013; and was also recipient of South Australia's Australia Day Awards' 2025 Community Event of the Year.
West Beach SLSC actively supports water safety programs including Surf Babies, Vacswim, On the Same Wave (for CALD communities) and the Parnggi Yarluwar Porlar (PYP) program for First Nations children. The club also introduced an Adaptive Nipper Program for children with disabilities.
Mayor’s Award – Lifelong Contribution to Sport in the City of Charles Sturt
Kay Butterworth - Seaton Calisthenics Club
Kay has been an integral part of Seaton Calisthenics since the Club’s inception back in 1951, dedicating over 70 years to one sport and one club. She has held various coaching and committee positions during the period, and is still actively coaching this year, with her “Sun Juniors” making champion division. Kay has served on the Calisthenics Association of South Australia board and as adjudicator, always seeking to improve the sport. She has supported countless national and state girls, while also mentoring many coaches to become great coaches over the journey.
Westfield West Lakes – Sports Volunteer of the Year
Pam Edwards – Grange Royals Hockey Club
The judging panel congratulates Pam for her inspiring efforts as a player, coach and volunteer for Grange Royals Hockey Club for over 45 years.
Pam is a deserving recipient of the Westfield West Lakes - Sports Volunteer of the Year award.