In terms of participation, Basketball in Australia is ranked number 2 in the world, a remarkable achievement for a nation of just over 21 million. Participation in Victoria is ranked number one in Australia and it’s the tireless work and effort of the many people behind the scenes that make this possible.

Master of Ceremonies Nigel Purchase and the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs Mr James Merlino, honoured our players, officials, volunteers and Associations at the Basketball Victoria 2007 Annual Awards Dinner held last night at Merrimu Receptions, Princess Hwy Chadstone.

Australian Representative and Dandenong Rangers defender Emily McInerney was awarded The Betty Watson Medal for the 2007 Female Player of the Year with the Alan Hughes Medal for the Male Player of the Year going to NBL Championship Player and MVP Chris Anstey.

Dandenong Basketball Association was awarded the Cadbury Schweppes Association of the Year, with Kilsyth named the Sport Employment Australia Largest Basketball Association.

36 basketball representatives from around the state were given special service awards for their years of continued service to the sport, including 4 receiving Gold Awards for their 35 Years of Service, Lesley Burgess (Dandenong), Don Roberts (Bulleen), Margaret Allan (Springvale), Ron Spencer (Eltham).

Other award winners included Officials of the Year, Michael Aylen and Sharon Arnold, Sharon announcing her retirement after an amazing 18 years as the best female referee in Australia.

A full list of award winners is below:

McDonald’s Most Improved Junior Program.

Is awarded to the Association who has seen growth in their Championship Results, improved their special clinics, school promotions and coaching programs at a domestsic and representative level.

WINNER – Kilsyth Basketball Association

Best Referee Progam

Is awarded to the Association who includes regular training, effective supervision, increases referee numbers and improves refereeing standards.

WINNER – Knox Basketball Association

Best Regional Story

For his story on Sharin Milner in the Hume Weekly

WINNER – Lance Jenkinson, Fairfax Community News.

Best Regional Photograph

For his photograph entitles “Croft Elevates”.

WINNER – Michael Brown, Boxandice

Best Regional Coverage for the 2007 Season

For his coverage of basketball in the Mornington area.

WINNER – Mike Hast, Fairfax Community News

Sport & Recreation Victoria Greatest Membership Increase

Is awarded to the Association who has successfully marketed basketball in their community to achieve the largest percentage increase of membership for 2007.

WINNER – McKinnnon Basketball Association

Cadbury Schweppes Association of the Year

Is awarded to the Association who has had an outstanding year in membership development, venue development, efficiency and championship results.

WINNER – Dandenong Basketball Association

Sport Employment Australia Largest Basketball Association

Is awarded to the Association who had the largest number of registered teams in the 2007 season, including junior, senior and mini ball teams.

WINNER – Kilsyth Basketball Association

Betty Watson Medal – Female Player of the Year

Awarded to the female player who has made the greatest contribution at state, national and international levels in 2007.

WINNER – Emily McInerney, Dandenong Rangers

Alan Hughes Medal – Male Player of the Year

Awarded to the male player who has made the greatest contribution at state, national and international levels in 2007.

WINNER – Chris Anstey, Melbourne Tigers

Jack Carter Memorial Award – Administrator of the Year

The selecting the winner of this award aspects relating to the developmental activities, increase in registrations, management skills and facility development are taken into consideration

WINNER – Ben Turner, Kilsyth Basketball Association

Allan Ashe Memorial Award – Volunteer of the Year

Recognises the outstanding efforts and contribution of a volunteer over a significant period of time.

WINNER – Jim Kinna, Melbourne East Basketball Association

15 Years Service Awards

Karen Daley (Bulleen), Carol Buckingham (Sherbrooke), Elizabeth Aulsebrook (Sherbrooke), Mary Black (Sherbrooke), Heather Williams (Hawthorn), Sandra Marks (Sherbrooke), Dean Town (Sherbrooke), Dianne Watts (Sherbrooke), Kevin Stanley (Healesville), Christine Leslie (Kilsyth), Sharon Arnold (Kilsyth), Peter Withers (Kilsyth), Andre Summut (Eltham), Greg Davis (Eltham), Peter Meehan (Eltham), Lynne Owbridge (Waverley), Sue Fowler (Castlemain), Bev Craig (Dandenong), Clinton Boyd (Dandenong), David Bocskor (Dandenong), Peter Blake (Dandenong), Yvonne Williams (Dandenong), Peter Zhang (Dandenong).

25 Years Service Awards

Ken Baird (Bulleen), Alan Craig (Frankston), Gabrielle Hore (Frankston), Malcolm Allison (Kilsyth), Dorothy Stevens (Kilsyth), Richard Hawke (Darebin), David Bogle (Eltham), Glenda Freame (Eltham), Cathy Cukier (Eltham).

35 Years Service Awards

Lesley Burgess (Dandenong), Don Roberts (Bulleen), Margaret Allan (Springvale), Ron Spencer (Eltham).

Domestic Coach of the Year

Is awarded to the coach who has made a significant contribution throughout the 2007 season.

WINNER – Michael Kapnoullas, Diamond Valley Basketball Association.

Parkview Hotel Elite Coach of the Year

Is awarded to the coach who has made a significant contribution throughout the 2007 season.

WINNER – Rod Popp, Kilsyth & Mountain Districts Basketball Association

Male Official of the Year

WINNER – Michael Aylen, Melbourne East Basketball Association.

Michael in season 07/08 was awarded the NBL referee of the Year and the VBRA Referee of the year. He has also been appointed by FIBA to referee at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Female Official of the Year

WINNER – Sharon Arnold, Kilsyth & Mountain Districts Basketball Association

Sharon is responsible for the training, education and performance of 180 referees. During the past year Sharon has been the Commissioner for Victorian Country Cup, Evaluator for the Junior Tournament in Bendigo, WNBL Semi Finals referee, refereed 200 WNBL games, Received Life Membership to the VBRA, conducted referees workshops in Darwin, refereed the WNBL Gold Medal Game and the SEABL Men’s Preliminary Final and Men’s Conference Final.