The Goulburn Murray Cricket representative was instrumental in the setting up of the region’s brand new women’s A grade competition.
He was recognised at the recent awards night, named the ‘A Sport For All Awards’, held at the CitiPower Centre.
The awards were created in recent years to highlight and celebrate community cricket and recognise the achievements of our community clubs, associations, indoor centres, community organisations, administrators and volunteers.
Many of these volunteers go above and beyond expectations to make cricket a sport for all Victorians.
Colbert said he was thrilled and surprised to win the award.
‘‘It was a really nice surprise, to be invited to Junction Oval on Thursday night. We had a feed and a few drinks, it was a great night,’’ he said.
‘‘I knew I’d been nominated and they said if you’re in the top couple you’d be invited down. It was a nice bit of reward for the senior women’s competition.
‘‘Hopefully in the new season we’ll expand the women’s comp to have a few more teams and potentially improve on some things. The response blew us away last season.’’
Cricket Victoria CEO Andrew Ingleton said the awards were an important opportunity to recognise the major contributors to grassroots cricket.
“It’s a fantastic night and one of the most rewarding parts of it is seeing the looks on the faces of the award winners,’’ he said.
‘‘These people give so much of their time to cricket or they lead clubs, associations and other organisations in growing the game and it’s our opportunity to reward and thank them.
“The volunteer workforce in Victorian, indeed Australian cricket, is critically important to our sport. We continually look at ways we can acknowledge and support the efforts of everyone involved in community cricket across Victoria.’’
Cricket Victoria’s A Sport For All awards:
Ambassador Of The Year: Josh Preston
Community Facility Project Of The Year: Irrewarra Cricket Club
Community Match Official Of The Year: Keith Ingram
Premier Cricket Club Of The Year: Dandenong Cricket Club
Community Cricket Initiative Of The Year: Paul Colbert, Goulburn Murray Cricket
Partner Organisation Of The Year: Mallee Sports Assembly
Entry Level Program Of The Year: Edinburgh Cricket Club
Community Coach Of The Year: Jeremey Byrne
Junior Cricket Champion Of The Year: Ashley Ventura
Cricket Association Of The Year: Cricket Albury Wodonga
Community Cricket Club Of The Year: Youlden Parkville Cricket Club
Volunteer Of The Year: Travers Zanker
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