Ken Baird competed in the club's over 75 team at the 2018 Australian Masters Games in Tasmania, winning a gold medal. Ken is 89 years old (DOB 26.5.1928) and is a very enthusiastic member of the club. Ken has been an active member of the Australian Myths & Legends Basketball Club for over 22 years and is a life member. Ken attends all our Friday and Sunday training sessions and competes with the club at all of the Masters Games (Australian and Pan Pacific) that the club enters; in total playing in 26 tournaments. Ken has also toured with the club to tournaments in Italy, Guam and China. Ken was also recently made a life member of the Bulleen Templestowe Basketball Association for services provided to the association over the last 45 years. Ken is still a very keen basketball player. He has also been a keen tennis player and canoeist. Ken is an inspiration to his teammates at our club.

Nominated by Ian Farr, club president

David Riches won four gold medals in the Australian Masters Games. He won 10kms road, 1500m, 5000m and half marathon. In doing so he broke two Tasmanian all-comers masters age records -5000m and half marathon - and a 5000m Masters record in his home state of NSW, where he currently holds seven NSW records for distances ranging from the mile to half marathon.

Nominated by Sandra Riches, wife

Belinda is dedicated to the development of the sport of floorball in Australia, creating and implementing development opportunities for youth. Captain of the Australian team in January 2017 and qualifying for the World Championships in December 2017, Belinda leads by example to younger floorballers displaying the attributes, attitude and training mentality of an elite professional athlete while working full time for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Not only did Belinda excel in Floorball in 2017 but is a dual national representative also captaining the Australian 35's hockey team and being selected for the Masters Hockey World Cup in 2018.

Nominated by Fiona Cameron, sister

Mildura Dragon Boat Club recently competed at the 2017 Australian Masters Games (AMG) in Tasmania on 26-27 October 2017. The competition held 84 races over the two days and had 350 competitors. Mildura competed in 18 races. The team took away 11 members. We competed against teams like the Rainbow Warriors, Motley Crew and Southern Warriors who were made up of members from clubs in a region of their state. They chose their best paddlers for the events they entered, and had lots of spare members, being hard to beat. Mildura were successful in two of the six events we entered. We won gold and silver medals. This is a fantastic feat for a small regional club at national level. In the majority of events Mildura paddled in, we shortened our time each race up to five seconds in total.

Generally Mildura Dragon Boat Club travel away for competition only twice a year. Our nearest competitor is four hours away at either Bendigo or Adelaide. It must be pointed out; our club does not have any competition to train against to see how we are going with our fitness, technique etc., compared to other clubs. Our club also does not have a club coach; we just sort of train ourselves. Our sweeps generally take us through our paces each week. Two years ago at the Australian Masters Games (AMG) held in Adelaide our club competed in six events and were not even competitive at the national level. So, to win two medals at national level in Tassie is certainly an accomplishment for a small club/team. Our club is an inclusive club, involving all members in club activities. We occasionally gather for activities – a Full Moon Paddle BBQ, breakfast after paddling, kayak activities together etc.

Our club promotes healthy life choices and exercise for people of all ages, capabilities and cultures. We have the ability to cater for people with disabilities. Many participants who were previously very active and now, due to injuries, are able to still remain active through dragon boating. Those members are encouraged to still participate as a drummer, sweep or sitting in the front of the boat, helping with coaching. Our club actively promotes Breast Cancer Awareness at the annual Mother’s Day Classic in Mildura. Recently one of our members travelled to a regional dragon boating championship and volunteered his time for the entire event. MDBC assisted him to register as a volunteer and had communications on his behalf with the organising group advising them he would be attending and has reported it was a wonderful experience and he met some terrific people. In 2017, four members attended Mental Health First Aid Workshops, enabling them to perhaps encourage someone to get help, or recognise someone going through difficult times. Our club also participated in the “Violence against Women” campaign. Mildura Dragon Boat Club is a member of the Victorian Dragon Boat Association. As members we adhere to all DBV policies and procedures, producing good club management.

Nominated by Kate Redman, treasurer

The South Coast Rhinos Masters team has played together for the past nine years entering yearly in Masters Football (soccer) Tournaments. Some of the Masters tournaments have included the World Masters Games, Pan Pacific Games and the Australian Masters Games. The team was originally formed for the World Masters Games in Sydney 2009 where we won Gold in the Over 40s category. As the years have gone by, the South Coast Rhinos Masters Team has moved quietly up the age group categories – Over 45s and now the Over 50s.

The Rhinos, which are made up of players from the Sydney and Illawarra regions, have a very strong on-field and off-field bond with the nucleus of players sticking together for the past nine years. The latest achievement was winning Gold in the Over 50s category at the Australian Masters Games in Tasmania. To date we have won nine medals from 10 Masters tournaments and our medal tally reads 3 Golds, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze. I personally feel the South Coast Rhinos Masters team is a worthy nomination for the Best Masters Performance Award. Thank You.

Nominated by John Kowtan, player

I am nominating myself as I am very proud of the fact that I can still achieve these things at the age of 67 years. I competed in the Masters Games in Tassie last October and came away with my best results ever a total of 17 medals in track and field over a four-day program – 11 gold and 6 silver. I was a very busy competitor, as were many others, and had a good time as I always do. Thank you.

Nominated by Mary Leitch

Most of this team (core eight) have been together since 1996 when some of us turned 35. Since then we have competed in every AMG since with the same girls. Nowadays we no longer compete in the 35 competitive but have managed to stay in the over 50s competitive division, even with some of our girls being over 60. The most important thing is we stay together. In all, bar one games since 1996, we have been fortunate enough to win a medal and even more fortunate to often come away with Gold albeit many a game only being won by a goal. The last two AMG this has been the case against our old rivals. Most of these girls have been representative players and still compete in local competitions, coaching, managing and generally still heavily involved. We love the opportunity to compete, and by staying together we know what we have to do to stay fit to compete through the tournaments - ice baths both outside and inside (champagne) does work wonders!

Besides having been together and toured together for over 20 years we have done what I'm not sure many other teams have managed but won back-to-back world golds in two different sports: netball gold in Sydney Worlds 2009, then basketball gold in Torino Italy Worlds 2013. Sounds impressive but the funniest of all was that we played off for gold in basketball against a local Sydney team!! (Admittedly we were smashed by Lithuania, Hungry etc., in the competitive division of 35+ but hey we still won social worlds 45+ and got to sing our national anthem! The team camaraderie and commitment to each other to stay fit and be there again next year, I think, has helped us all to stay young and live at heart. We have even picked up other masters girls along the way as there team have disbanded. I am not sure this is worthy of winning an award but it is a story worth sharing for people to keep playing team sport forever!

Nominated by Trina Skidmore, player

The Nightsticks National Masters Police Hockey Club has been in existence for 15 years attending yearly Masters competitions all over Australia. The club was formed by a group of mate’s from different professions with a goal of furthering our fitness, master ship, comradely, friendship, love of hockey and travel. We are all spread across Australia, the club and the trips have become annual focal point to get together share, support and encourage each other ensuring our ongoing physical and mental health. We attend Masters competitions including the PANPACs, which attracts 15,000 competitors and 20,000 people in total. The Nightsticks is led by Craig (President of the Club). Winning medals from Gold to Bronze in every masters games attended, we are led by a very dedicated Coach/Manger who ensure all that attend have a very enjoyable social and competitive tournament We have active and well visited social media Facebook and Instagram pages. Our team mantra is Best Friends Forever.

Nominated by Chris Lewis, player

At 76 years of age Sandra Atkins was an inspiration to all at the 2017 Masters Games in Tasmanian. One sport wasn't enough for 76-year-old horse rider Sandra Atkins – she decided to do two, taking up indoor rowing for the first time in her life, and winning gold medals in both. Three hip replacements and two knee replacements aside, the Deloraine woman limped into the local gym on a walking stick a few months ago and said she wanted to row at the Australian Masters Games. She'd already entered the show jumping and was just scrolling down through the dozens of sports and saw indoor rowing and started training twice a week with a Deloraine personal trainer in the lead-up to the competition. She looked up the Masters Games website to see what time the winner in her age group had got the last time and that was her goal. Atkins’ first hip replacement was about 10 years ago, but she ended up with a dePuy hip, which started disintegrating a few years later and so had the hip replaced for a second time about six years ago. She then had her other hip and knee replaced. Her final knee replacement was in September last year. Because a lot of muscle had been removed from her hip on that side, she was very lame. After three indoor rowing wins Sandra competed in the show jumping, taking home two more gold medals and two silvers.

Nominated by Catriona Nicholls, peer

Lots of people play various sports at the Masters. Whether it’s in a team or individual sport you must play your best and never give up, play fair and try your very best above all have fun. Tracey Lee Hall has all those traits and is a worthy candidate for nomination. She not only excels at one sport but two and is outstanding in both team football and singles squash playing for NSW in the 2016 Pan Pacific Masters winning a silver medal in squash while also competing in the team football event. She gives 100% and that’s all you can ask for In a player. Tracey Lee Hall excels in all areas of her life and gives her best in any project she commits to. Tracey Lee’s home soccer team which makes up most of her Pan Pacific Games team won their district and state titles this year. Sport is the winner but it needs players like Tracey Lee Hall to make it outstanding!

Nominated by Stephen Carter, friend

I would like to nominate the Adelaide L'Aces women's softball team as the Masters Games team of the year. The Adelaide L'Aces were one of the most successful and admired women's softball team at recent Masters Games. The ladies who make up the team are from several areas of Adelaide and couple of friends from Melbourne. All are mums, and a couple of grandmothers also play. The L'Aces played at the Masters Games in the Gold Coast in 2012, 2014 and 2016 and the Australian Masters Games in 2013, 2015 and 2017 and won the Gold medal in all of these competitions – that is six Gold Medals in a row. The ages of the players rage from 37 to 60+ and the 60-year-old is their pitcher. This year in Tasmania at the Australian Masters Games they were elevated to the 35 'A' division, played 15 games for 12 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses and won Gold. I believe these ladies are a top candidate for Masters Games team of the year.

Nominated by Mal Sporne, club president

It was Rob’s third AMG. In his first in 2012 in Geelong he was unable to secure a medal. From then to now he won 8 gold medals and 1 silver over four days of competition. His range unbelievable! - 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m and 10000m, which included the Bernie 10 (10 medals in 9 events)! He had competitors in every event! Go Dad :))

Nominated by Kate Italia, daughter

Grant's results in the past 12 months have been extraordinary. He has broken world records in the pool and won numerous medals in National Championships and the World Masters games. He trains hard and inspires members of his age group to maintain their fitness and live a healthy and active lifestyle. December 2016 North Haven Surf Life Saving Club’s Open Water Swim Port River, 17 Swim 1st place 7th Jan 2017 Pier to Pub 1.2km swim Lorne, Victoria Open Water Swim 1200m 2nd place 5th Feb 2017 Brighton Jetty Classic Brighton, SA Open Water Swim 1500m 1st place 5th Feb 2017 Brighton Jetty Classic Brighton, SA Open Water Swim 400m 1st place 26-28 Mar 17 AUSSIES 2017 North Kirra 2km Ocean swim 60-69 1st Place 26-28 Mar 17 AUSSIES 2017 North Kirra Surf race 60-64 1st Place 26-28 Mar 17 AUSSIES 2017 North Kirra Board rescue 60-64 1st Place 26-28 Mar 17 AUSSIES 2017 North Kirra Tube race 60-64 2nd Place 26-28 Mar 17 AUSSIES 2017 North Kirra Iron 60-64 2nd Place 26-28 Mar 17 AUSSIES 2017 North Kirra 1km run 60-64 4th Place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Surf 60-64 1st Place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Tube 60-64 1st Place 26- 28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Iron 60-64 1st Place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Ski 60-64 1st Place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Double ski 60-64 1st Place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Surf Teams 150+ 1st Place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Board rescue 50-54 1st Place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Board 60-64 2nd place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Taplin relay 170+ 2nd place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Ski relay 170+ 2nd place 26-28 Mar 17 SLSSA State Masters West Beach Board relay 170+3rd place 22nd Apr 2017 World Masters Games Auckland, New Zealand Run Swim Run 60-64 1st Place 22nd Apr 2017 World Masters Games Auckland, New Zealand Iron 60-64 1st Place 22nd Apr 2017 World Masters Games Auckland, New Zealand Surf 60-64 1st Place 22nd Apr 2017 World Masters Games Auckland, New Zealand Board 60-64 2nd place Grant also won 2 gold medals in the open water swims (1500m and 5km events), and 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal in the pool swimming competition. 24th-25th Jun 17 SA Pool Rescue State Championships 100m obstacle race Men’s 60+ 1st Place 24th-25th Jun 17 SA Pool Rescue State Championships 100m manikin tow men’s 60+ 1st Place 24th-25th Jun 17 SA Pool Rescue State Championships 50m manikin carry men’s 60+ 1st Place 24th-25th Jun 17 SA Pool Rescue State Championships 100m manikin carry men’s 60+ 1st Place 24th-25th Jun 17 SA Pool Rescue State Championships 50m with fins men’s 60+ 1st Place 24th-25th Jun 17 SA Pool Rescue State Championships 4x50 master’s NGS obstacle relay 1st Place 24th-25th Jun 17 SA Pool Rescue State Championships 4x50 master’s NGS medley relay 1st Place 24th-25th Jun 17 SA Pool Rescue State Championships 4x25 master’s NGS manikin relay 1st Place Grant swam a time faster than the existing ISL World record for the men’s 60-64 age group 100m obstacle course. He also swam times faster than the existing National record times in the 100m manikin tow and 100m manikin carry.

Nominated by Christine Newberry, Director of Surf Sports – West Beach SLSC

The Flying Foxes are the Australian Women's Masters Ultimate Frisbee team. Players come from all over Australia, and entirely self-fund their participation at the highest level of the sport. The Flying Foxes went to the recent World Championships in London and brought home the bronze medal in a thrilling nail-biter of a play-off against Team Japan. This is Australia's first medal in the division, and contributed to Australia's overall 2nd place as a country. Not only were the team high achievers, they are also all wonderful strong women who have contributed so much to our community. Captained by Joy Lee, this bunch of women is looked up to by everyone who knows them. They have given thousands of hours of coaching and development and mentoring to young female players around the country, and are a huge inspiration. Many of the team are also mothers, proving to young players that women can have the freedom to choose to keep playing for as long as they want.

Nominated by Michelle Phillips, player

At the ripe age of 68, Pedro still can hold his own on the field against much younger opposition, and has kept the left back position his for many years in the Dunbar Rovers FC Over 45 team. Not only does he continue to play weekly during the winter season, he also keeps himself ticking over during the summer with 5-a-side in Centennial Park. Not just that, but Pedro is also a Director of our NPL operation, being the secretary of the club. He is a graphic designer by trade so also does some amazing artwork for the club's promotional activity. Pedro is a brilliant example to younger people at the club that age really is no barrier.

Nominated by Peter Hennessy, fellow director

Every year, a bunch of old friends who played with and against each other at various levels dust off our gloves and compete at the Softball Queensland masters tournament. We have competed for seven years and made the final every year, despite the majority of the team playing 'out of position'. We do this as we have Olympians and former Australian and Qld open players competing AND the whole purpose of being together is mainly for fundraising. Admittedly we have a little white line fever (otherwise we would have never made the levels we made in our careers) but generally play to enjoy each other's company and our wonderful game of softball. We are winning on the field (and just recently competed to take away the gold) but our biggest achievement is our fundraising. In between games we take the time to sell tickets to our fundraisers and have raised over $26,000 (part of the charities overall efforts of just under $190,000). The charity name is Play for a Cure Foundation and the Masters team is Play for a Cure.

Nominated by Leigh Martyn, charity and team founder