For the first time since 2022, the Victoria Police Sports Awards are being held once again at the beautiful San Remo Ballroom in Carlton on Wednesday 11th February 2026. The night will again be presented by the Victoria Police Amateur Sports & Welfare Society in partnership with ESSSuper. VIP guests include Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush, Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch, Former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent, and representatives from The Police Association, Victoria Police Provident Fund, ESSSuper and BankVic.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Nigel Purchase, stalwart of Australian basketball having played ten seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Melbourne Tigers and the Brisbane Bullets, Nigel is an engaging and entertaining MC, and a philosophical advocate for the life lessons and benefits of participation in sport.
Special sporting guests for the evening are:
- Melissa Barbieri – One of Australia’s most capped female footballers, making 86 appearances over 13 years for the Australian National Football Team, The Matildas.
- Dee Butler – Former professional basketball player, former Australian Under 19 Women’s Head Coach, current Head Coach of the Diamond Valley Eagles women’s basketball team in the NBL1 South competition and sworn member of Victoria Police.
Throughout the night, the following traditional Victoria Police Sport award categories will be recognised and presented.
- The Most Outstanding Club Administrator
Presented by – Chief Commissioner Mike Bush on behalf of The Provident Fund
- The Most Outstanding Police Recreation, Social or Welfare Achievement
Presented by – BankVic
- The Most Improved Police Team
Presented by – Blue Ribbon Foundation
- Athlete Scholarship for Pursuit of High Performance
Presented by – ESSSuper
- The Most Outstanding Police Sporting Achievement
Presented by – BankVic
- The Most Outstanding Police Club
Presented by – The Police Association of Victoria
And to conclude the evening, 2024 and 2025 inductees to the Victoria Police Sporting Hall of Fame will be formally recognised and celebrated. This prestigious honour is awarded to a Police member who has excelled in the sporting industry whilst being an active member of the Force.
The Victoria Police Amateur Sport would like to thank the following for their contribution to the upcoming event:
- ESSSuper
- BankVic
- The Police Association of Victoria
- The Provident Fund
- Blue Ribbon Foundation
- Victoria Police Alpine Club
- Victoria Police Games Federation
- San Remo Ballroom
- Nigel Purchase
- Melissa Barbieri
- Dee Butler
