COVID-19 lockdowns have shown how important community sport is to our lives, Paul Masluk believes.

Founder of the “Community Sports Dad of the Year” awards, he is looking for local dads who put in, year-in, year-out to promote the benefits of sports to their kids.

Paul said the awards came from an idea he had when running another sports event in 2012 when he realised the important role-models that dads can play in their childrens’ sports involvement.

 “I was running the Philips Celebrity Sports Dad of the Year and, in speaking to a number of the celebrity dads involved, they always spoke so-highly about the volunteers that helped them in their early days in sport and how they wouldn't be where they are without them, he explained.

He said that the purpose of the awards is simply to highlight this vital role in our community.

“The main aim of the award is to acknowledge those 'Sports Dads' in the community, who volunteer their time to keep community sport alive, even during the toughest times,” he explained.  

He said he gets his greatest buzz from the awards, through contacting the winning Community Sports Dad and telling them they have won. 

Followed by this is: “the selfless act of them deflecting the attention away from themselves and highlighting others in the community who give up their time.” 

Nominations for the eighth annual Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year award, won by a local Orange rugby league coach in 2015, will acknowledge the contributions and positive impact that Australian dads have made to their families and community both on and off the sporting field.

 From coaching the local junior team, to getting up early every weekend to paint fresh lines on the pitch; to raising funds for new equipment and keeping community sport alive, Australia’s dads are true unsung heroes.

 Throughout the pandemic, inspiring stories have emerged on how families have rallied together to support their local sporting teams during times of lockdown and the Award recognises these contributions.

 Paul said that that it was more important than ever before to recognise those unsung local dads who have spent countless hours boosting morale and keeping team spirit alive.

 “It’s been a difficult couple of years with community sport placed temporarily on hold throughout the pandemic, sometimes affecting the whole season. This has impacted thousands of local sporting clubs and millions of kids dedicated to playing their chosen sport, so it’s never been more important to recognise the resilient efforts of our sporting dads who’ve kept their team spirit alive.”

 “The lockdowns have shown how important community sport is to our lives,” he added. 

 “Not only as a place to keep fit and healthy, but also as a place to connect and socialise. The heroes that keep community sport alive are the thousands of volunteers that go above and beyond. I think they should all be rewarded”,” he said.

 But you’ll have to be quick, nominations are only open until midnight, Sunday, August 22.

 To nominate your dad, or to find out further information, visit: www.sportsdads.com.au/community