16/11/01
TouchWest (the Western Australia Touch Association) has won the Minister's Award for Excellence at the 2001 Sport and Recreation Industry awards announced by Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter tonight.
Touch, a modified, non-contact form of rugby which is played by men and women, won two industry awards, the WA Sports Federation Special Achievement award and the Provision of Sport and Recreation to Regional Western Australia award, before winning the major award.
"TouchWest has set a standard for outstanding administration in terms of increasing participation levels and taking its sport to country regions," Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter said.
"To win the major award from such a strong list of high achieving sport and recreation bodies is a wonderful achievement."
The 2001 Sport and Recreation Industry Achievement awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in the industry. Their significance lies in the fact that they embrace all facets of a diverse industry.
The awards, held every two years, are an opportunity to formally recognise innovation and excellence in the pursuit of best practice in WA's sport and recreation industry.
They are also a chance for the industry to examine how well it is doing as leaders, initiators, motivators and providers.
This year's winners were:
Minister's Award for Industry Excellence
Winner: TouchWest
This award recognises outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of the sport and recreation industry in WA. The Minister's Award is chosen from among the winners of each of the categories.
Industry Award for Management
Winner: YMCA of Perth
In June 2000, YMCA Recreation was under threat following a decade of significant losses. In response, their team set a target of establishing financial viability by generating a $100,000 operational surplus without compromising the YMCA's social and ethical responsibilities.
The financial year 2000-01 realised an operating surplus in excess of $105,000. They also exceeded best practice industry benchmarks in expense recovery, programming, major incidents and participation.
Award for Use of Sponsorship in Marketing Your Organisation
Winner: WA Football Commission
The Office of Road Safety is the WA Football League's (WAFL) major sponsor. This sponsorship enables the WAFL and the Road Safety Council to join forces in the promotion of the Belt Up seatbelts save lives message.
More than 2.3 million people were exposed to the Belt Up message through watching WAFL on television, directly attending a WAFL game during the 2001 season, and through four WAFL country premiership matches and a Belt Up WA weekend scheduled across the State.
John Graham Fellowship
Winner: Rosalind Howell
Ros has been involved in the Fitness Industry for 14 years as a fitness instructor, personal trainer, judge, competitor and coach in aerobic competitions, lecturer and trainer, owner of her own fitness facility, manager of Central TAFE gymnasium and currently program manager for Health Sport and Recreation training at Central TAFE. Ros is also the President of Fitness WA.
She is developing and implementing a Fitness Code of Practice for the industry and also aims to manage the development and implementation of innovative workplace fitness training and assessment across the entire sport and recreation industry sector.
Risk Management Best Practice Award
Winner: Fairbridge Western Australia Inc
Fairbridge provides youth development, outdoor education, environmental education, heritage education, training and development programs, employment programs and special events.
Risk management planning has become a very important component of Fairbridge's program and the development of a comprehensive policy and procedures manual was completed in July, 2000.
Award for Commitment to Participation
Winner: WA Rogaining Association (Inc)
The WA Rogaining Association has developed a deliberate and managed program to increase participation rates. The association's objective is to increase participation by 20 per cent between 2000 and 2005 while minimising the environmental impact of the sport. The program's focus is to maximise access to rogaining for Western Australians and to ensure the sport's sustainability in the future.
Facility Management Award - over $500,000
Winner: Arena Joondalup
Arena Joondalup has become the largest sporting and entertainment venue in Western Australia.
The excellent facilities, combined with a team approach and strong partnering arrangements have given Arena Joondalup the chance to implement a series of highly innovative and successful programs and events. These include Rock iT outdoor rock concert, Sounds of Summer concert series, partnering programs with the Cerebral Palsy Association, programs for people with special needs, and an Out of School Hours Care Service program, sponsored by the Joondalup Primary School P&C.
Award For Volunteer Support
Winner: Surf Life Saving WA
This is the second time Surf Life Saving Western Australia has won this award. The association has shown immense commitment to serving the community through its volunteers. The need for volunteer support is crucial to the organisation's progress.
The development of its membership management system, its commitment to training and development and acknowledgement of its volunteers through recognition initiatives and promotion in the media clearly demonstrate SLSWA's commitment to excellence in supporting its volunteers.
Provision of Sport and Recreation to Regional Western Australia
Winner: TouchWest
TouchWest is the peak body for the sport of touch in WA and has 25 affiliated clubs throughout the State, 17 of which are regionally based. It has worked diligently to provide equal access and opportunities for development, be it in playing, officiating or coaching.
With 42 per cent of its membership regionally based, TouchWest subsidises affiliation fees for all regional members, as well as subsidising travel in recognition of their isolation from some courses and events, while continuing to develop its delivery of courses and events to regional locations.
Award for Industry Support Through Sponsorship
Winner: WA Netball
WA Netball's Talent Identification Program is sponsored by Western Power. The program has two components, the regional talent identification program and the talent identification development camp.
The regional talent identification program involves six to eight clinics - intensive training weekends that enable athletes to develop and tune fundamental netball skills.
WA Netball has shown an excellent use of branding opportunities and sponsor recognition and has used the Western Power creatively to extending into other markets.
Award for Commitment to Education and Training
Winner: Royal Life Saving Society of Australia
Over the past 18 months, the Royal Life Saving Society has worked extremely hard and committed financial, human and physical resources to ready itself for the implementation of the National Community Recreation Industry Training Package. This work included professional development for staff and volunteers.
Royal Life Saving has used a range of strategies that encompasses all its employees and many of its volunteers in education and training. Royal Life Saving has shown that it recognises the importance and benefits of ongoing professional development.
Media Contact: Owen Cole 9213 6806
