2026 Clubs SA Clubs and Community Awards Finalists
2026 Award FINALISTS
CONGRATULATIONS to the 2026 Clubs SA Clubs & Community Awards Finalists!
After an outstanding response from clubs across metropolitan and regional South Australia, we are proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Clubs SA Clubs & Community Awards.
These finalists represent the very best of South Australia’s sporting and community club sector, showcasing excellence in leadership, innovation, hospitality, community impact and volunteerism. Their achievements reflect the passion, dedication and commitment of the thousands of people who make clubs the heart of their communities.
We congratulate every finalist on this well-deserved recognition and thank all clubs and individuals who took the time to submit a nomination. We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the 2026 Clubs SA Clubs & Community Awards Gala on Saturday 14 November at the Adelaide Oval.
Core Purpose Categories
Best Licensed RSL and/ Services Club
This award recognises a RSL and/or Services Club for the standard of the facilities it provides for members, as well as its outstanding service to returned servicemen, women and the general community.
RSL Colonel Light Gardens Sub-Branch, RSL Henley & Grange, RSL Murray Bridge Sub-Branch & Bowling Club, RSL Semaphore & Port Adelaide Sub-Branch, RSL Morphett Vale & Districts Sub-Branch
Best Bowls Club
Is your club all about bowling? Do you provide superior bowling and social facilities for your members and guests to enjoy? Do you promote the game of bowls to the community and offer development programs to support this? This category recognises a bowls club that has taken their interest in bowling to the next level.
Millswood Bowling Club, Stansbury Bowling Club, Playford Bowling Club, Adelaide Bowling Club
Best Football Club
This award recognises a football club that encourages and supports any code of football (e.g. football, soccer, rugby), including junior and senior footballers, with an outstanding standard of sporting and social facilities available to members and guests. Clubs will also need to have a large emphasis on junior development and an active presence in their community.
Modbury Jets Soccer Club, Eastern Park Football Club, Glenelg Football Club, North Haven Football Club, Broadview Football Club
Best Surf Life Saving Club
Nominations will be assessed on the range and quality of facilities they provide to their members along with their community participation, junior development programs and their involvement with major milestones.
Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club, Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club, West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club, Normanville Surf Life Saving Club
Best Sports Club
This award recognises sporting clubs that concentrate their core business activities on one or more sports (other than Bowls, Football and Surf). For example, Golf Clubs, Cricket Clubs, Sailing Clubs etc. These clubs have a consistently high standard of facilities for those sports.
Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, Henley Sharks Football & Netball Club, Mount Gambier Italo Australian Club, Sandy Creek Golf Club, The Vines Golf Club of Reynella
Best Social or Cultural Club
This award recognises social or cultural clubs that concentrate their core business activities on allowing members and guests to mingle, interact and socialise. The winning club will offer outstanding support to its local community and have a strong focus on its own social culture.
The Croatian Club, Altavilla Irpina Community Club
Community Categories
The community categories are an opportunity to share the stories, celebrate them and recognise the outstanding contributions made by clubs in their local communities
Environmental Innovation
The Environmental Innovation Award celebrates clubs that are stepping up and making a real difference through sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. It recognises clubs that lead by example, inspire others and demonstrate a genuine commitment to creating a greener, cleaner future for their members and wider community. Environmental initiatives may include solar power installations, recycling and waste reduction programs, water-saving initiatives, energy-efficient lighting and equipment, sustainable building or redevelopment projects, reducing single-use plastics, community gardens, environmentally focused education programs, or partnerships that support local environmental outcomes.
Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Glenelg Golf Club
Unity in Community
The Unity in Community Award celebrates clubs that foster a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all members and visitors. This award recognises clubs that actively break down barriers, encourage diversity, and create a sense of belonging for people from all backgrounds, abilities, ages, and cultures. It’s about championing connection, respect, and equality within the club and the wider community.
Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, South Australian Amateur Soccer League, West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Cadell Club, Adelaide Bowling Club, Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club
Heart of the Community
The Heart of the Community Award recognises and celebrates the vital role that clubs play in supporting their members and local communities. This award highlights clubs that actively contribute to the wellbeing and growth of their community by providing support to a wide range of groups, including sporting clubs, social and welfare organisations, youth programs, charities, schools, and disadvantaged individuals. Both financial contributions and in-kind support are valued, acknowledging the many ways clubs give back – whether through fundraising, volunteer efforts, facility access, or partnership initiatives. This award honours those clubs that make a real difference, showing leadership and commitment to fostering strong, inclusive, and connected communities.
Murray Bridge Club, Coffin Bay Yacht Club, Playford Bowling Club, Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, Para Hills Community Club, Semaphore Bowling Club, Renmark Club, Club Marion, West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Port Clinton Community & Sports Club, Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club, Norwood Basketball Club, Cleve Sporting Bodies Club
Individual Categories
Club Cook/Apprentice of the Year & Club Chef of The Year
Club Cook/Apprentice of the Year award recognises the talent, dedication, and creativity of club cooks and apprentices who may not be qualified chefs but consistently deliver outstanding meals that delight patrons and reflect a strong understanding of club dining.
Chef of the Year award is designed to recognise the skills of chefs through their culinary abilities, creativity, and innovation.
Christine Bicknell – Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club, Bhushan Joshi – West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Mario Zedda – Tea Tree Gully Golf Club, David Bridgman – Glenelg Golf Club, Tara Pollard – Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club, Russell Kircher – Central District Footballers Club, Eric Duval – Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club
Rising Star of the Year
To win this award, consideration will be given to all the activities the nominee performs in their role and will include any initiatives they have shown within the club and their community. Judges will also consider any past and current training undertaken and outstanding achievements. The nominee is a dynamic, well rounded, and passionate about their position at your club.
Daniel Hockley – Central District Footballers Club, Jordan Phuong – Central District Footballers Club, Luke Siviour – Renmark Club, Sheree Hicks – RSL Henley & Grange, Minh Quan Cao – West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, James Ganley – Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, Venece Floridis – Glenelg Golf Club, Ben Blaess – Glenelg Golf Club
Club Manager of the Year
The winner of this award will go to a senior manager who is responsible for running a successful club. The winner will have a high level of management skill, along with the demonstrated ability to grow a business. The nominee must have worked a minimum of two full years at the club. Entrants into this category are a Club Manager, General Manager, Venue Manager, or Operations Manager.
Jeff Dickson – Mosaic, Carlye Maher – West Whyalla Football Club, Norm Collins – West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Ayla Grace – Tea Tree Gully Golf Club, David Elmes – Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club, Chris Bailey – South Lakes Golf Club
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year award recognises dedicated volunteers who have become an invaluable part of a club, making a meaningful and lasting contribution to its success.
Operational Categories
Best Gaming Categories
The proud recipients of this award will be clubs that provides an enjoyable gaming experience for members and guests in an environment that respects members’ privacy and provides adequate information to players about games on offer, whilst embracing the South Australian Responsible Gambling Code of Practice.
This category will see two winners based on the number of operating gaming machines the club has on the floor: Small (0 – 21 EGMs) Large (22 – 40 EGMs)
SMALL – Cobdogla & District Club, West Augusta Football Club, Murray Bridge Golf Club, West Whyalla Football Club
LARGE – Murray Bridge Club, The Nor East – Redlegs Club, Club Marion, Greyhound Racing SA – McQueens Tavern & Gaming, Para Hills Community Club, The Glenelg Club, Renmark Club, Angle Vale Tavern, Mosaic SANFL, The Southern, Central District Footballers Club
Best Club Redevelopment Categories
A club that has been redeveloped (new build or refurbishment) in the past 12 months will be eligible to enter this award. To qualify for this award, the refurbishment must have been completed and in use by 30th June 2026. Stand alone gaming room refurbishments will NOT be considered under this award, however they will be considered under the “Best Gaming Award.” Clubs will be assessed on the quality and innovation of the redevelopment, as well as the impact of the redevelopment on staff efficiency and patron satisfaction. The judges will also be looking at the intent of the design.
This category will see two winners based on the cost of the redevelopment: Small (up to $1m) Large (over $1m)
SMALL – SA German Association Mt Gambier, Kilburn Football & Cricket Club
LARGE – South Australian Amateur Soccer League, Renmark Club, Mosaic SANFL
Outstanding Bar & Entertainment
This award celebrates clubs that go above and beyond in creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere through their bar and entertainment offerings. Whether it’s live music, trivia nights, raffles, DJs, or simply a great place to enjoy a drink, this award recognises the clubs that bring people together, keep members coming back, and provide memorable experiences for their community
West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Para Hills Community Club, Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club, Glenelg Football Club
Best Function / Event Venue
This award recognises clubs that provide outstanding facilities, services, and experiences for functions and events. Whether it’s weddings, birthdays, corporate functions, or community celebrations, this award celebrates clubs that deliver memorable, high-quality events while showcasing excellent hospitality, adaptability, and attention to detail. Great function spaces not only support club revenue but help build strong community connections.
Club Marion, Para Hills Community Club, Kooyonga Golf Club, Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, Glenelg Golf Club, Adelaide Bowling Club, Glenelg Football Club
Best Dining – Cafe / Bistro
This award recognises clubs offering an exceptional café or bistro dining experience for their members and guests. It celebrates clubs that deliver high-quality meals, great customer service, a welcoming atmosphere, and value for money. Whether it’s a quick coffee and cake or a hearty dinner, this award highlights clubs that create a consistent and enjoyable dining experience.
West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Para Hills Community Club, Mosaic SANFL, Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, Central Districts Footballers Club, Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club, Renmark Club
Club of the Year
These prestigious categories recognise outstanding Clubs that deliver excellence across all areas of their operations. From hospitality and customer service to community engagement, governance, and financial management, these awards celebrate the best of the best in South Australian Clubs.
Club of the Year – Small
SA German Association Mt Gambier, North West Junior Soccer Association, Kilburn Football & Cricket Club, Southport Surf Life Saving Club, Normanville Surf Life Saving Club, Cleve Sporting Bodies Club
Club of the Year – Medium
Mawson Lakes Golf Club, Playford Bowling Club, RSL Henley & Grange, Port Augusta Golf Club, Sandy Creek Golf Club, Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, Golden Grove Football Club, Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club
Club of the Year – Large
Club Marion, West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Para Hills Community Club, Renmark Club, Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club
