Clubs SA Clubs & Community Awards Categories
Award Categories
What Category Will You Nominate in This Year?
Every club has a story worth celebrating.
Whether it’s the dedication of your volunteers, the leadership of your management team, a successful redevelopment, an innovative sustainability initiative or the positive impact your club has on its community, there’s a category to recognise your achievements.
The 2026 Clubs SA Clubs & Community Awards feature 24 categories celebrating the people, projects and clubs making a difference across South Australia.
Explore the category summaries below to find the best fit for your nomination. For complete eligibility requirements, judging criteria and submission guidelines, please refer to the 2026 Awards Guidebook.
Core Purpose Categories
- Best Licensed RSL and/ Services Club
- Best Bowls Club
- Best Football Club
- Best Surf Life Saving Club
- Best Sports Club
- Best Social or Cultural Club
Community Categories
- Environmental Innovation
- Unity in Community
- Heart of the Community
Individual Categories
- Club Cook / Apprentice of the Year
- Club Chef of the Year
- Rising Star of the Year
- Club Manager of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
Operational Categories
- Best Gaming: Small
- Best Gaming: Large
- Best Club Redevelopment: Small (up to $5m)
- Best Club Redevelopment: Large ($5m +)
- Outstanding Bar & Entertainment
- Best Function/Event Venue
- Best Dining: Cafe / Bistro
Club of the Year Categories
- Club of the Year: Small
- Club of the Year: Medium
- Club of the Year: Large
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 socialize. The winning club will offer outstanding support to its local community and have a strong focus on its own social culture. Please note, this category is exclusive to social and cultural clubs, do not enter this category if your club’s relevant core purpose category is Bowls, Football, Surf Life Saving or Sports.
Community Categories
The community categories are an opportunity to share the stories, celebrate them and recognize 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. Clubs of all sizes are encouraged to showcase the practical and innovative ways they are contributing to a more sustainable future.
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.
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.
Individual Categories
Club Cook/Apprentice of the Year
This 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. If you have a cook or apprentice who regularly receives positive feedback and is proud of the food they serve, nominate them for this prestigious award today! This year, all your cook/apprentice must do is select an entrée and a main from the club’s current menu for judging; entrée and main is Club Cook/Apprentice choice from the Club Menu. Judging will take place in the months of August – September in each Club. Finalists will be notified prior to judging to confirm an appropriate time the cook/apprentice is rostered.
Club Chef of the Year
This award is designed to recognize the skills of chefs through their culinary abilities, creativity, and innovation. If you have an outstanding chef, i.e. someone who continually receives great feedback, is creative, knows your clientele, delivers on budget and more, then please enter them now for this prestigious award. This year, all your chef must do is select an entrée and a main from the club’s current menu for judging; entrée and main is Club Chef choice from the Club Menu. Judging will take place in the months of August and September in each Club. Finalists will be notified to confirm an appropriate time the chef is rostered.
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 must be dynamic, well rounded, and passionate about their position at your club. Do you have an outstanding candidate that we are looking for?
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 2 full years at the club. Entrants into this category must be a Club Manager, General Manager, Venue Manager, or Operations Manager.
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year award recognises a dedicated volunteer who has become an invaluable part of your club, making a meaningful and lasting contribution to its success. Each club may submit one nomination only. Nominations must be submitted by a senior staff member or board/committee member. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Finalists will receive a complimentary ticket to the awards.
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)
The anonymous site inspection of your gaming area for this award will take place between August – September 2026. You will not be notified prior or after this has occurred.
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)
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
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.
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.
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
The Club of the Year – Small award celebrates excellence in Clubs with an annual turnover of less than $450,000 (as per the 2024/25 financial year). This award recognises Clubs that consistently deliver quality service and experiences for members, while playing a vital role in their local community. It considers all aspects of Club operations – from hospitality and governance to facilities and community support. This is your opportunity to shine a spotlight on how your small Club makes a big difference. Note: Your Club’s 2024/25 Financial Statement must be submitted with your nomination to be eligible.
Club of the Year – Medium
The Club of the Year – Medium category is designed to recognise Clubs with an annual turnover between $450,000 and $1,800,000 in the 2024/25 financial year. This award acknowledges excellence across all aspects of Club operations – from hospitality and governance, to facilities, member services, and community support. It celebrates Clubs that successfully balance business operations with community impact, and continue to provide welcoming, vibrant, and valuable spaces for their members and guests. Note: Your Club’s 2024/25 Financial Statement must be submitted with your nomination to be eligible.
Club of the Year – Large
The Club of the Year – Large category recognises excellence in overall Club operations for Clubs with an annual turnover exceeding $1.8 million in the 2024/25 financial year. This prestigious award honours Clubs that consistently deliver outstanding service, operate with strong governance and compliance, and demonstrate exceptional engagement with their members and the broader community. To be eligible, Clubs must enter at least two (2) Operational award categories (e.g., Best Dining, Gaming, Bar & Entertainment, etc) and one (1) Community category (e.g., Heart of the Community, Environmental Innovation, etc). The Club of the Year – Large winner will be determined by combined scores received across the nominated categories, ensuring recognition is awarded to those truly excelling in multiple areas. Note: A copy of your Club’s 2024/25 Financial Statement must be submitted as part of this expression of interest.
For all detailed information and criteria questions for each category, please read the Awards Entrant Guide Book or head straight to the Awards Portal. Please use the links below.
Awards Entrant Guidebook
The ultimate Step-By-Step Guide to navigating the awards process:
The Awards Portal is Now Open
Nominate your club today! Use the online awards nomination portal to nominate your club in each category.
