THERE was a strong local presence at the Amazon Sports Star Awards last weekend, as Renae Porter, Sue Walter and the Hamilton Boomers were all recognised at the awards presentation in Warrnambool.

The awards acknowledged the outstanding contributions made to sport in the south-west by individuals and teams in the past year.

Walter was awarded Masters Athlete of the Year for her excellence with the racquet in hand at the Hamilton Lawn Tennis Club.

The Southern Grampians Shire Volunteer of the Year went to Porter for her significant contribution to the Hamilton Kangaroos over a long period of time, while the Hamilton Boomers were awarded All Abilities Team of the Year.

The Hamilton Boomers were overjoyed to hear the news that they took out the award after going back-to-back in the Football Integration Development Association (FIDA) competition last season.

The blue and white took out the top honour in 2019 but were forced to sit out in 2020 due to COVID – the year off didn’t deter them as they came back last year and won the grand final in convincing fashion.

Hamilton Boomers administrator, Doug Ward, was pleased to see years of dedication and effort rewarded on the night.

“It was really good, great recognition for the work they’ve put in over the last three years with the COVID interruption last year,” he said.

Following the recognition, Ward reflected on the great 2021 season and thanked all of those people who played a major role in the success of the team.

“Graeme Byrne has been our coach since 2013 when the club was formed; he and our assistant coach, Gordon Godwin have been constant supporters of these guys,” he said.

“We are really indebted to the time, effort and passion they show for the team.

“We have to acknowledge the Ballarat guys who come to play for us, without them we wouldn’t be able to field a team … the fellas aren’t all Hamilton, we’ve got guys coming from everywhere else.”

Ward said football was more than just running around for a couple hours on the weekend for the Boomers players and that keeping close over the past few seasons had been incredibly important to all team members.

“It’s not just a game, it’s the sense of belonging they have, the opportunity to train and the meals after training, meeting each other, they’ve all got a common goal and belonging to a sports club is really good for people’s mental health,” he said.

“They just love being involved, it’s something that we all get a lot of fun out of it.”

Porter said the award took her completely by surprise but was humbled to receive recognition for her involvement with the Hamilton Kangaroos.

Porter is a life member at the club and has served in a multitude of different roles over her time including being a player, coach, netball secretary, umpire, umpire coordinator and mentor, as well as being on the social and fundraising committees.

“It’s a surprise, I didn’t know I was nominated, I actually heard about when people started congratulating me online,” she said.

“It’s funny because I think you do the work because it simply has to be done, you don’t look for awards or accolades, you do it because people before you have done it, you almost pay it forward so the next generation can participate in sport.”

She said a sports club is made up of a lot more people than just the players and it’s the willingness from everyone to work together and help out that makes it a club.

“(A club) is part of who you are, I always say to Bernie that it brings the community together, we’ve met a lot of close friends through there,” Porter said.

“You make really good friendships and they become like family to you, it’s being part of something and having a great place to raise families.

“They can contribute and be part of it in all different areas … older players become mentors and life coaches for the kids without even realising it.”