LAVic is pleased to announce the finalists for the upcoming 2026 LAVic Awards, following an outstanding response from the LAVic community with over 60 nominations received across nine award categories.
The Awards honour the exceptional contributions and achievements of individuals, Regions and Centres from across the LAVic Community.
Congratulations and best of luck to the finalists in each category, as listed below:
Bryan Neighbour Centre Coach of the Year
- Greg Carter – Stawell
- John McCall – Keilor
- Rupert Van Dongen – Mentone
Emerging Coach of the Year
- Brendan Williams – Corio
- Hannah Plant – Box Hill
- Peter Curtis – Rochester
- Will Amiatu – LAVic
State Coach of the Year
- Ben Spiteri
- Emma Werner
- Mackenzie Mielczarek
- Rupert Van Dongen
Centre Official of the Year
- Anthony Ciancio – Diamond Valley
- Nicholas Bortolin – Sherbrooke
- Ryan Kaio – Werribee
- Wayne Mangion – Keilor
Emerging Official of the Year
- Alyssa Block – Seaford
- Henno van Niekerk – Werribee
- Jonathan Walters – Diamond Valley
- Matthew Bui – Whittlesea City
State Official of the Year
- Christina Spurrell
- Rowena Simmons-Curtis
- Rae Mills
- Vince Bunworth
Centre Volunteer of the Year
- Bessie Cacopardo – Preston Reservoir
- Debbie Lawson – Essendon
- Elisha Murphy – Stawell
- Tyson Holbery – Chelsea
Centre Marketing Award
- Bacchus Marsh
- Corio
- Preston Reservoir
- Wodonga
Centre Inclusion Award
- Bacchus Marsh
- Echuca Moama
- Werribee
- Essendon
Thanks to those individuals that took the time to complete a nomination and to shine a light on the amazing feats and achievements accomplished by our volunteers and Centres.
The Awards are announced and presented at the 2026 LAVic Gala Awards Dinner, Saturday 25th July.
