2022 Chemist Warehouse Community Heroes Announced

Queensland’s Jacob Daniels has been crowned the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Community Hero to recognise his efforts in establishing one of Australia’s most remote athletics clubs, Normanton Athletics Club, working tirelessly to develop the sport through the Gulf of Carpentaria. 

The initiative sees Athletics Australia and Chemist Warehouse come together to celebrate the unsung heroes of the athletics community, shining a light on their integral contributions to the sport at all levels – from grassroots through to green and gold. 

“The Chemist Warehouse Community Hero Awards celebrate individuals within the athletics community who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the sport from the grassroots level right through to the elite,” said Chemist Warehouse Director Mario Tascone.

“This year, we were overwhelmed by the amount of nominations, all of which entailed stories of passion and dedication. It’s been fantastic to learn of some of these stories, and it makes us incredibly proud to sponsor these Awards as well as the sport.”

As the national winner, Daniels is the recipient of a $1000 Chemist Warehouse gift card, a prize that the easy-going Queenslander will take in his stride ahead of yet another week at the helm– but he wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“The program is still growing! A couple of years ago we took a group of 14 kids to a competition eight hours away in Cairns, but this weekend we are off to Townsville with a team of 44,” Jacobs says.

With a population just north of 1,000 people in Normanton, the work was inspired by Athletics Australia’s “Athletics for the Outback” program being promoted through Athletics North Queensland, prompting Daniels to band together with local parents in order to form the club.

Beginning with less than 20 athletes, Daniels now has over 120 athletes under his guidance as the program continues to grow. His duties are not confined to coaching though, with Daniels organising events and trips, along with driving the team bus over 20,000km – an estimate that he says is modest.

“I reckon it’s more some days,” Jacobs laughs. 

In addition to Daniels taking home the Chemist Warehouse Community Hero Award and the $1000 Chemist Warehouse voucher, each of the state and territory based winners are awarded $500 vouchers and crowned Chemist Warehouse Local Athletics Community Heroes – read about their contributions to the sport below as described by their nominees. 

Jacob Daniels (QLD)

Jacob was the founder of one of the most remote athletics clubs in Australia. He has dedicated a lot of his time in growing the club from just a bit over 20 kids to now coaching over 100 kids. He has been working hard spreading athletics across the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria through surrounding towns. Not only did he work hard coaching the kids but also did lots of work behind the scenes getting events and trips organised for the club members. These trips included travelling over 20,000km which he drove the team bus for athletes. 

Wim Vaessen (TAS)

Wim was a club athlete in the 1970’s who returned to the sport in the 1990’s when his children took up athletics. He engages in myriad roles in Tasmanian athletics – including coaching a large and diverse squad of sprinters and jumpers. He has been a long serving office bearer of his club North Launceston and of Northern Tasmanian Athletics which manages the venue and conducts track and field competitions at St Leonards in Launceston’s eastern suburbs. Despite living 25km away in Rosevears where he runs a large business growing tomatoes, Wim is at the track almost every day – coaching, undertaking equipment repairs and venue maintenance or officiating at club or school meets. He officiates on every event on the athletics program including photo finish. He is indeed the Go-To Man and Mr Fixit of athletics in Northern Tasmania. Wim has been a board member of Athletics Tasmania and a state team official for both Athletics Tasmania and Little Athletics Tasmania. He manages the programs for club competition, records and the NTA Facebook page. The Christmas break-up competition he created is extremely popular with athletes – with teams of three competing in a range of events over two hours on a handicapped basis according to their season bests so far – even if no other official understands how it works! He has received the Merit Award of Athletics Tasmania and the Athletics Australia Silver Service Award. Despite all that Wim manages to find time to run his greenhouses and serve as a volunteer with the SES and local fire service.

Anula Costa (VIC)

Anula Costa would be a worthy recipient of this award as a dedicated & committed coach, official and volunteer. Anula has been a track and field coach for 23 years, coaching athletes of all abilities aged from 11 years to veterans, including athletes with a disability and refugees. During this time Anula has coached a large number of athletes to reach state and international level and also an athlete that competed at world juniors. She also travels to regional areas to assist with coaching whilst promoting the sport. As an accredited track and field official she has officiated at both local and major events in Victoria and interstate for 24 years. Anula assists with organising cultural community and religious events for community development , welcoming and assisting them.

Daniel Weston (SA)

Daniel goes above and beyond to ensure the needs of any athlete in the community is met. Daniel is an advocate for Para Athletics and their inclusion at both training and competition. Daniel openly provides his assistance to other clubs in the area with their athletes and ways they can continue to become more inclusive and wants to provide as much support as he can for any athlete looking to try athletics. He has recently mentioned his hopes of working on gathering enough interest with disabled athletes to have enough to hold an inclusive relay race at SALAA’s next relay day.  

Ruud van Scheppingen (ACT)

Ruud is always around at his local club Corroboree Little Athletics. Either as coach, setting up, officiating, or checking equipment - he gives thousands of hours. He is a jack of all trades. For Athletics in the ACT he stepped up to be Field Referee at most if not all events. He is friendly and calm, knows a lot and is always willing to help others. He is a great example of someone who stays low-key but can work at all levels in athletics.

Cameron Burrows (NT)

Cameron is an outstanding volunteer coach and club president at Rural Athletics Centre, NT. He not only holds the club together, but he encourages the kids to further their athletics goals and takes them interstate to compete at various events such as South Australia & Queensland. He is a mentor, guide, friend to all his athletes and families, and nothing is too much trouble for him. He is also an official at NT Athletics events and volunteers at schools to teach them different sports such as discus, shot put, high jump and more. He is amazing.  

Danni Dix (WA)

Danni gives so much to our Centre and Athletics without ever receiving or wanting any recognition.  She doesn't have a child in the sport, yet she is at the Centre every Saturday from 5.30am till we finish and beyond.  She attends all State events being the team manager. Taking photos of our children, supporting kids and parents.  She worked many hours and well into the morning hours to pull off a very successful Zones that we hosted as a Centre. Danni works full time but that doesn't stop her answering emails and messages until everyone is happy and sorted. Danni is an amazing volunteer and a Hero to many at out Centre!  

Jaylen Martin (NSW)

A young athlete with a purpose, Jaylen is a compassionate and thoughtful competitor. He shows true sportsmanship. A sibling of six, one kidney, a hole in his heart and he still manages to get it done. His charisma and strength are like no other. He is deserving. He is kind and gentle. He is a true hero! Jaylen always gives his best and never gives up. He is so brave and such a great team player! He always shakes opponents’ hands after races and encourages everyone to do the best they can.
 

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 29/4/2022