By JARROD POTTER
WHETHER she has donned the Dandenong blues, or is representing Victoria, there is no better sporting role model in Dandenong than Lions’ skipper Kelly Applebee.
Applebee, 32, was named the City of Greater Dandenong’s Sportsperson of the Year in a ceremony to be held on Monday afternoon.
The talented cricketing all-rounder was named Sportsperson of the Year on the back of her exceptional season with the Victorian Women’s Cricket Team – VicSpirit and another run-filled year representing Dandenong Lions in the VWCA/Victorian Women’s Premier Cricket competition.
“I was actually quite surprised when I got the phone call to say I was nominated and being awarded,” Applebee said.
“You obviously don’t go around doing things for your club and your community thinking about those types of awards, but it’s definitely nice to be honoured in that way.”
The award doesn’t just recognise Applebee’s nous at the crease and in the centre, with the talented all-rounder also a devoted coach and teacher for the next generation of Dandenong Lions coming through the ranks at Greaves Reserve.
The current Dandenong Lions’ WCC president is also the club captain and coach and has worked tirelessly to promote women’s sport in local schools, especially in encouraging multicultural communities to get involved in local sporting clubs and activities.
Her outreach for the next generation mirrors the help she was given as a fresh faced Lion arriving from Gippsland and is proud to continue that tradition and help the younger Lions flourish.
“The club (Dandenong) has always been fantastic to me,” Applebee said.
“Coming from East Gippsland to play cricket, in terms of that transition it was made easier by those people who were there at the time.
“I’m extremely grateful for that – it’s more than a cricket club it’s a family and I am more than happy I’m able to give back to the club like many have done before me.
“Seeing the young kids coming through is something I’m passionate about and helping develop women’s cricket in the Dandenong area is something I’m very proud of.”
Applebee is one of the experienced members of the VicSpirit side, having represented the state in 108 one-day domestic matches and has also played for the Australian under-23 team.
She also went past a major WNCL milestone this season – notching her 2000th run for the VicSpirit.
The City of Greater Dandenong’s Australia Day award winners will be recognised and celebrated during a special awards ceremony today (Australia Day) at the Drum Theatre from 2pm.
