The 2024 Victorian School Sports Awards (VSSA) for the first time incorporated the School Sport Victoria Awards and was held on Wednesday, 26 March at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with more than 200 guests in attendance including Nina Taylor, Parliamentary Secretary for Education.
The awards celebrate exceptional commitment and performance from Victorian school student athletes, teachers, sport coordinators, and schools while also rewarding leadership and community contribution through participation in sport.
The event, hosted by Laura Hingston a four-time national diving champion and five-time international medallist, saw 26 students presented with Sporting Blue awards for excellence in sport.
The Lindsay Gaze Outstanding Sports Leadership Award went to Western Heights College’s Stephanie Whatley, a dedicated young coach who is the development coach for the Under 18 Victoria Country basketball team and is also involved at Geelong United.
Keelonith Primary School jiu-jitsu exponent Kaya Kandemir won the Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award for winning all 7 state jiu-jitsu titles, the National Championship as well as securing gold at the World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Bright P-12 College’s Lachlan Steward won the secondary award and is one of Australia’s up and coming cyclists in the under 17 male category – he won state and national titles across road, track, mountain bike and gravel racing.
Finn Hynes-Carnegie from Western Heights College was the recipient of the Outstanding Student Official, the first time this award has been presented.
There were a range of SSV Awards presented, with service awards still be presented locally, including the Wangaratta Specialist School, Trafalgar Primary School, and Brentwood Secondary College being awarded SSV Schools of the Year, with Andrew Devisser, Brett Dyson, and Carole Hooper being rewarded with Life Membership.
Congratulations to the three recipients of an SSV Life Membership Award.
Andrew Devisser
For 40 years, Andrew has been a tireless champion of school sport, ensuring that every student—regardless of ability or life circumstance—has had the opportunity to participate in experiences that connect, explore new horizons, and engage in the transformative power of sport. His dedication has created a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the playing field, enriching the lives of countless students and shaping the future of school sport in the Eastern Metropolitan Region.
Anthony Dyson
Anthony 'Brett' Dyson has been involved with the Team Vic - Basketball program since 2004 including as a Selection Committee member and Coordinator, and Team Manager a role that he continues in.
Carole Hooper has made a significant contribution to school sport with over 20 yrs work, service and commitment to providing student sporting opportunities in a variety of ways -
Carole is retiring from teaching and Division Coordination in 2024, she leaves a legacy of excellence and sport for all.
School Sport Victoria would like to congratulate all award recipients on their incredible achievements!
