Congratulations to David Hansen who is a finalist for the 'Service to Victorian Community Sport and Recreation' Award in the 2016 Victorian Sport Awards for his contribution to triathlon. David has been involved in triathlon in Australia since its beginning and was a foundation member of the pioneering Geelong Triathlon Club, a foundation member of Triathlon Association of Victoria (precursor to Triathlon Victoria) and one of the most prominent triathlon Race Directors in Australia with international recognition.

The Hansen Super Sprint Triathlon at Portarlington was first held in 1987 and the foundation of the event management company of the same name. Over a quarter century later and SuperSprint delivered a significant stable of Victorian Events yearly to the community including the Gatorade Triathlon Series, the Corporate Triathlon Series as well as cycling classics and fun runs. David and his wife Penny also arranged the first National Triathlon Convention. SuperSprint has organised no less than six International Triathlon World Cups leading up the 2000 Olympics as well as 5 UCI Road Cycling World Cups and over 10 national championships as well as races abroad.

What set him apart from all other event managers is David and his company were selected to arrange the inaugural 2000 Sydney Olympic Triathlon. The entire triathlon world and indeed a lot of the sporting world were abuzz in 2000 with the first Olympic medals 'up for grabs' at the Sydney Olympics in the brand new Olympic sport of triathlon. The race was perfect and showcased Sydney Harbour with the finish at the Opera House steps. No Olympic triathlon has come close since in terms of venue and execution.

Joining David as a finalist in the 2017 Victorian Sport Awards is the Yarrawonga Mulwala Multisport Festival nominated for the Community Sporting Event of the Year Award. In its 5^th year, the festival was managed locally by the Yarrawonga-Mulwala Splash ‘n’ Dash is a sub-committee of Sacred Heart Parent and Friends Association of Sacred Heart Primary School and Sacred Heart College Yarrawonga. The two day Multisport Festival offered events for all ages and abilities with money raised from the event used to purchase much needed sporting equipment for the local school and for the local Health Service – ‘Helping Hands Initiative’ for badly needed new equipment for the local hospital. The event provides substantial economic benefit to local businesses including accommodation places, restaurants, Clubs, Hotels, Tourism and retail businesses.

Triathlon Victoria wishes David and the Yarrawonga-Mulwala Splash and Dash Committee the best of luck on the 30^th March when the winners will be announced at the Victorian Sport Awards ceremony.

See a list of all the finalists for the 2017 Victorian Sports Awards here.