HR Heher Sports Awards

On Thursday 21 February, The Vikings Group held their 24th Annual Amateur Sports Awards evening, at The Auditorium. The night was a great success with more than 170 affiliate club members and guests attending. The special guest for the night was the Federal Member for Canberra, Ms Annette Ellis, who assisted with the presentation of the evening's major awards.

The senior award, the Sportsmans Warehouse H.R. Heher Shield, was taken out by Caroline Buchanan a triple Australian representative in the disciplines of BMX, Downhill Mountain Bike Racing and 4 Cross. In 2007 Caroline fi nished fifth in her chosen event at the World BMX Championships.

While the winner in the junior category, the ActewAGL Shield, was two time Australian Schoolgirl's Water Polo representative Carla Benzie from the Tuggeranong Vikings Water Polo Club.

The Chronicle Shield for the best team performance went to the Independent Disabled Tenpin Bowlers of the ACT for their efforts in winning the Cole Challenge Cup at the 2007 National Tenpin Bowling Championships for persons with a Disability. This was the fourth time that the ACT team has won the event.

Joe Henstock from the Tuggeranong Vikings Women's Hockey Club won the Coca-Cola Shield, for outstanding coaching or offi ciating achievement after being recognised for his years of dedication not just to his club but also to ACT and Australian Hockey.

Roz Waters from the Tuggeranong Valley Women's Lawn Bowls Club was recognised for her tireless efforts with the bowls club, with the presentation of the Vikings Health & Fitness Centre Award for outstanding achievement as a volunteer.

Another feature of the evening was the awarding of ten Viking Sports Scholarships, by The Vikings Group President Mr Jim Shonk. The scholarships were presented to a number of elite sports men & women to assist them with the costs involved in competing in their chosen sport, while continuing their studies at either college or tertiary level.

This year's recipients were:

• Angeline Blackburn - South Canberra Tuggeranong Athletics Club

• Belinda Seaman - Joyelle Calisthenics Club

• Jason Behrendorff - Tuggeranong Valley Cricket Club

• Kevin Hogan - Tuggeranong Valley Cricket Club

• Bianca Hill - Ni Bonchi Judo Club

• Leah Carden - Tuggeranong Valley Women's Lawn Bowls Club

• Tamara Bond - Tuggeranong Netball Association

• Ashlee Tronerud - Tuggeranong Netball Association

• Jeremy Huntley - Tuggeranong Vikings Swim Club

• Niall Jacobsen - Tuggeranong Vikings Swim Club