The 2018 Victorian Football Awards were presented recently to Football Victoria's Community in Business luncheon held at Hyatt Place.
Nominations were submitted from around the state for the various awards, with winners celebrated for their contribution to the game.
Criteria for each of the awards can be reviewed here.
Volunteer of the Year
Cele Presilski - Altona Magic
Presilski has been associated Altona Magic and its previous names such as Kingsville since the club's inception in 1968. A selfless volunteer, his past roles include coach and assistant, team manager and now club bartender.
"Nothing is ever an issue with Cele, whatever needs to be done...he ensures everything is perfect for gamedays," stated Presilski's nomination.
"His passion and love of soccer is an inspiration to everyone at the club. He has watched the club grow over 50 years."
Male Coach of the Year
Andrew Hollow - Kensington JSC
Junior coach Hollow coaches the Kensington JSC Girls 16yo team and is a driving force behind the club establishing its boys program, where he coaches ALDI MiniRoos.
"Andrew has supported the inclusion of several girls from a range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds to play each week," stated Hollow's nomination.
"His positive attitude ensures that training and games focus on fun and participation. This approach has worked given the continued success of (his Girls team) and the ability to keep the core that has played together for many years."
Female Coach of the Year
Nancy Cover - Kensington JSC
Cover coaches the Kensington JSC Girls 12yo team while also standing in when required to lead the Girls 14yo.
"Always enthusiastic and nurturing," Cover's nomination says.
"Her focus is always on improvement and participation so everyone feels a part of the team. She makes sure that young girls learn the skills of the game as well as the importance of fitness.
"She knows all the girls really well and makes them feel like they are making a contribution to the team."
Club of the Year
Aspendale SC
Aspendale has grown from 40 players to more than 500 in the space of a decade, including a proactive increase in the number of female teams.
The club holds junior referee programs for 13-18 year olds and coaching programs for 15-20 year olds, both of which teach valuable life skills to teenagers and youths.
"All of this has been done with no permanent home," the Aspendale nomination states.
"The club has rotated through four venues in five years. Hard work from volunteers has seen recent announcements by Councils and State Government of a four floodlit-pitch home base and $9 Million investment."
Development Referee of the Year - Mate Zahtila
Zahtila was recognised as the best performing referee from Football Victoria's referee talent pool. His performances and conduct during the season were recognised by assessors and FV's referees department as being of a high standard and deserving of the acknowledgement.
Assistant Referee of the Year - Ben Schepers
Schepers was recognised as the best performing assistant referee, having performed to a high standard in NPL Victoria men's competition through the 2018 season.
Football Victoria '5 Star' Community Clubs
The past 12 months has seen significant investment by Football Victoria with the recruitment of full time Club Ambassadors and the introduction of the Football Victoria Club Engagement program.
The Club Engagement program demonstrates Football Victoria’s absolute commitment to assisting its clubs to be viable, sustainable and successful and to utilise a robust and equitable assessment tool that identifies over 100 key metrics a 'great' club would have in place off the field.
This program recognises a club for all the things clubs do well and creates an aspirational template for future success; supported by an achievable Action Plan with resources and support to ensure continuous improvement.
On completion of the program, a total percentage score is calculated for the club which relates to a star-based accreditation.
Football Victoria recognised seven clubs that achieved five-star accreditation in 2018:
Brimbank Stallions, Calder United, Keilor Park SC, Moreland Zebras, Pascoe Vale, Myrtleford Savoy and Wangaratta City
