Vikings Group celebrated the talent of the Tuggeranong Valley on Friday night at the annual Sports Awards at Lanyon Vikings, focusing on the achievements and contributions of local athletes, coaches and volunteers.

Vikings Group President, Mr. David Assenheim, was delighted to present successful local athletes with their awards and congratulate them on their outstanding achievements.

“It’s an honour to be surrounded by very passionate and talented individuals, all the winners and the nominees should be proud of their achievements, and we’re looking forward to seeing how they progress in the future.” He said.

Josh Alford, from Tuggeranong Vikings Swim Club took out the main award – Outstanding Senior Athlete Achievement. Josh, who had an outstanding year in the pool last year, took home two golds and two silver medals at the INAS Global Games, INAS Global Games are a member organisation of the International Paralympic Committee, with athletes from 75 different nations. Josh was also part of two world record-breaking relay teams.

In addition to the main award four other award winners were announced including Colby Eddowes for Outstanding Junior Sporting Achievement, Kaitlin Makings for Outstanding Coaching or Officiating Achievement and Debbie Dunster for the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award.

Ten scholarships were also presented to local Tuggeranong Valley athletes, so they can pursue their chosen sport as well as their education. For the past 30 years Vikings Group has been offering direct assistance by way of scholarships and have provided assistance in excess of $870,000 to around 620 Tuggeranong Valley Athletes.

‘’Supporting our young local athletes is an important focus of ours. These Scholarships recognise and reward our local athletes whilst providing some assistance towards the costs that they incur competing in their chosen sport. They also provide an important link between our schools and sporting community here in the Tuggeranong Valley.’’ Assenheim said.

This year, as part of the Groups 40th birthday celebrations, Vikings Community Champions were also recognised, over the years these people have helped Vikings Group build a sense of community, foster and encourage sport participation and aide social connectivity.

‘’We wanted to acknowledge their enduring contribution to the Clubs of their chosen sport, they have helped make Tuggeranong Valley a better place to live and play sport. Some have been involved with their Clubs for 30 years or more, they have given countless hours to keeping their Clubs going and shaping young athletes’ careers. They are the backbone to Sporting Clubs’’ Assenheim said.

To read the full event program click here (can we please load the full program PDF?

To read the full event program click here

Vikings Group Sports Awards Winners

Intersport - H.R. Heher Shield Award for Outstanding Senior Sporting Achievement and is sponsored by Intersport – Josh Alford Tuggeranong Vikings Swim Club

ActewAGL Shield for Outstanding Junior Sporting Achievement - Colby Eddowes – South Canberra Tuggeranong Athletics Club

Coca-Cola Shield for Outstanding Coaching or Officiating Achievement - Kaitlin Makings – South Canberra Gymnastics Club

Power Kart Raceway Shield for Outstanding Team Performance - Tuggeranong Vikings Touch, Women’s Open Team

Vikings 24/7 Fitness Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport - Debbie Dunster – Tuggeranong Netball Association

Vikings Community Champions

Taryn Langdon - Lake Tuggeranong Rowing Club

Ant Davies - Vikings Junior Rugby

Roz Waters - Tuggeranong Valley Women's Lawn Bowls

John Fox - Tuggeranong Vikings Water Polo

Kim Terrell - Tuggeranong Vikings Water Polo

Rene Bol - Tuggeranong Vikings Water Polo

Rod Harrod - Tuggeranong Vikings Triathlon Club