BEST FACILITY

Fitzroy Victoria Bowling and Sports Club

Success is no stranger to the Fitzroy Victoria Bowling and Sports Club. For the past three years they’ve picked up, or been in the running, for major gongs.

Situated in the beautiful Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy, which it shares with its cricket, football and tennis neighbours, the club is regularly profiled by Bowls Victoria and Bowls Australia.

The club is on a main road in Melbourne served by trams and attracts 50,000 visitors a year. It has two bowling greens, a 300-capacity clubroom and a 50-seat seminar room. Outside, there are 10 function areas.

Club president Dobe Newton added: “Bowls has become very popular particularly for family groups and work functions – we’ve embraced that whole heartedly. Outside you have trams and cars full of people saying: ‘My God, that looks like a bit of fun’.”

Honourable Mention: Bendick Murrell Sportsground(NSW)

PLUS...

Pic Special: The 2019 Clubbies Awards!

Check out all the pics from our glittering awards ceremony at Sydney's Tattersalls Club to reward local legends from across the country!

BEST MASTERS

Girlfriendz Masters Softball

It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for the NSW-based Girlfriendz Masters Softball team: growing success on the pitch, heartbreak off it – and deep bonds of friendship that have seen them through the highs and lows of five Pan Pacs.

Each time they enter the field they remember two fallen teammates – one lost in a car accident and the other to cancer.

The players range in age from 38 to 62 and the core group has been together for more than 20 years.

Their Girlfriendz ‘warm-up’ two years ago was a minor Youtube sensation. Silver medallists at the last Pan Pacs in November, and bronze twice before that – only gold eludes them. Bring on 2020!

Kristen Garsheen explained what makes Girlfriendz so special: “It’s the bond we have with each other no matter what life throws at us. 

Honourable Mention: Sunshine Coast Rayners, AFL (QLD)

And that's a wrap for this year...but we'll be back later this year when we re-open nominations for 2020 - so get your clubs ready!

Thank you to everyone who entered and voted – but thanks most of all to our nominees and winners for making sport in this country what it is. We salute you all!