As part of the MSA 50th Anniversary Celebrations we are excited to launch the 50 Unsung Heroes Awards.  The MSA National Board has created an Award to recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport of swimming and their Club/community. We invite our Clubs to nominate someone they believe is most meritorious, our Unsung Heroes! These individuals will then be recognised at a National Level.
This is a grassroots MSA Community Award to celebrate the “Unsung Heroes” who have volunteered their time to help make our sport function successfully. Nominations are to be submitted to the States via the form to the right for assessment as they have the optimal visibility of their membership/club base.
50th Year Unsung Heroes Awards process
  • Clubs to nominate an Unsung Hero – someone who has contributed to masters swimming in Australia over the years via an online form
  • Nomination form is located on the National Website
  • Nominations are automatically distributed via email to the relevant States when submitted via the online form
  • States may want to create a link/page on their website to direct Clubs to the online form
  • Nominations are now closed
  • States to review nominations
  • States to submit seven (7) Unsung Heroes – note MSNSW to have eight (8) as it encompasses ACT for a total of fifty (50) awardees to MSA for ratification Tuesday 30 September 2025
  • NOTE – this may include people who help the club but don’t swim for example: Coaches, Officials, Dry Members, Volunteers. Nominees must be a member of MSA and they cannot be a MSA Life Member.

Key Criteria for Nomination:

  • Years of Service: Consideration will be given to the nominee’s length of involvement and sustained commitment to their Club, to their State or to MSA
  • Contributions: The nominee should have actively contributed to the success and operations of their Club, to their State or to MSA through leadership, innovation, or service.
  • Impact on Membership Growth: Recognition will be given to those who have encouraged participation, recruited new members, helped retain members or played a role in expanding the club’s reach.
  • Support and Mentorship: Nominees should have positively influenced club members by offering support, mentorship or guidance.
  • Dedication to the Club, to their State or to MSA: A demonstrated passion for the club’s, State or MSA’s mission and a willingness to go above and beyond in supporting its initiatives and operations
  • Nominations should provide specific examples of the nominee’s contributions and their lasting impact on their Club, to their State or to the MSA community at large.

Examples of potential Unsung Heroes:

Over a lengthy and/or productive period of tenure:

  • A non-swimming member who has helped out at State/Club meets on the medals tables
  • A Club member who has helped run the BBQ, social functions, activities etc. at the Club or local race day or meet
  • A Club member who timekeeps, works in the results room, assists with club races / meet delivery, posts the results etc. at Club/State meets
  • A technical official
  • A Coach who volunteers time across the week and supports and encourages both social and competition swimmers to be their best
  • Committee members and/or the Club Treasurer, Secretary, Recorder, Captain and/or Club President etc.
  • The Club member who organises food and beverages for Officials at Club, District, State etc. meets
  • The Club member who organises the coffee catchup after training and/or informal social activities etc, that brings members together
  • The Club member who manages the recording of results for the Vorgee E1000
  • The Club member who arranges and coordinates the lane/pool space
  • The Club member that manages the website, social media, newsletter, communications etc.
  • A non-swimming family member of a swimmer who has assisted at Club/State meets on the registration and medals tables, posts the results etc.
  • And so on…!

NOTE – this may include people who help the club but don’t swim for example: Coaches, Officials, Dry Members, Volunteers. Nominees must be a member of MSA and they cannot be a MSA Life Member. Nomination information will be provided to the MSA National Membership Committee and may be used for future promotions.