By Nick Creely
Dandenong hurdles champion Nilesh Vaheesan is one of the region’s most exciting talents, and a humble athlete with a massive future on the big stage.
And the 17-year-old product of the Dandenong Springvale Athletics was duly awarded as the Greater Dandenong Sports person of the year at the Australia Day Awards on Friday, after a stunning 2017 that saw him further announce himself as a
potential international star.
The awards – which were held on Friday at Dandenong’s iconic Dandenong Park – were due recognition of the standard of sport that is set in the area.
Nilesh trains every day, and has a work ethic that is sure to inspire him to greatness, with the Commonwealth Games in 2022 a realistic chance if he continue to make strides in a sport that is difficult to master.
This prestigious honour comes after Nilesh was also named the Male Athlete of the Year at the Greater Dandenong Sports Awards in 2017.
Sophie Molineux – a champion cricketer from Dandenong – was last year’s recipient of the award.
Christine Ware – a notable sports administrator in the Dandenong region – was also inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.
Noted for her outstanding contribution to the Dandenong and District Netball Association, Christine is synonymous with the growth of the sport in the region.
“I never set out to be famous,” she laughed as she described her place in the Hall of Fame.
“To go into the Hall of Fame is a bit awesome, and I certainly didn’t expect it.”
Christine’s passion for local sport is second to none, and said it was ingrained as a child, where she went to the local netball with her family.
She went from being a star player, to a coach, and to eventually one of the most successful administrators for local sport in the area.
“I blame my late mother for my involvement, because apparently I was taken as a baby screaming in a pram to the netball,” she said.
“Mum had an involvement as a committee person and was involved there, so I probably had no choice really, so that’s where my passion for women’s sport, in particular, and grassroots sport started.
“I never expected it (the award), it’s a fantastic honour.”
She also outlined why sport – in particular grassroots – is such an important part of her life and community.
“The more you give, the more you get,” she explained.
“It doesn’t matter about your ability, you don’t have to be elite, it’s grassroots where my passion lies.”
The previous winner of the award was fellow sports administrator, Ross Hepburn.
Each winner received a handcrafted certificate, framed photo and small gift presented by the mayor. The recipients can also get involved in future community events ran by the Greater Dandenong council.
