Australian Sports Medal
Encyclopedia
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport
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Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were awarded.
This commemorative medal was introduced to recognise Australian sporting achievements. The medal acknowledged a range of Australians who, in different ways, contributed to the nation’s sporting success. Recipients included former competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintain sporting facilities and services.
The Australian Sports Medal was formally established on 23 December 1999 by Letters Patent.
Most of the medals were presented to people following their nomination by the sports community. Peak sports bodies recognised or funded by the Australian Sports Commission were given quotas according to a formula based on the number of their registered competitors. All Australian parliamentarians were able to make nominations.
The medals were progressively awarded during the year 2000.
The Australian Sports Medal does not carry a post-nominal entitlement.
, is one of more than 18,000 medal recipients. She was awarded the medal in 2000 for her achievements on the field as player and captain, and for her tireless work as advocate and administrator of the game of cricket. Belinda has always led by example, averaging more than 50 runs in test matches and 40 in one-day internationals. She holds the women’s record one day score of 229, made against Denmark in Mumbai in 1997.
Sport in Australia
Australia has a long sporting history dating back to the mid 1800s. By the 1920s, a number of sports were being played by both men and women, including cricket, badminton, judo, swimming, tennis, netball, lacrosse, golf, hockey and various codes of football....
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Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were awarded.
Description
- The medal is circular and made of nickel-silverNickel silverNickel silver, also known as German silver, Argentann, new silver, nickel brass, albata,, or alpacca, is a copper alloy with nickel and often zinc. The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc. Nickel silver is named for its silvery appearance, but it contains no elemental silver...
with a highly polished finish. The obverse design symbolises Australian sport featuring the stars of the Southern CrossCruxCrux is the smallest of the 88 modern constellations, but is one of the most distinctive. Its name is Latin for cross, and it is dominated by a cross-shaped asterism that is commonly known as the Southern Cross.-Visibility:...
, and lines depicting the athletics track at the Australian Sports Stadium. - The reverse features the same lines as the obverse symbolising the athletics track, with the words ‘to commemorate Australian sporting achievement’ appearing in the raised rim of the medal. The reverse is also marked with the year ‘2000’.
- The medal is suspended from a 32 mm ribbon by a connector piece and ring. The ribbon’s colours are Australia’s national sporting colours green and yellow.
History
The Prime Minister announced the creation of the Australian Sports Medal on 31 December 1998.This commemorative medal was introduced to recognise Australian sporting achievements. The medal acknowledged a range of Australians who, in different ways, contributed to the nation’s sporting success. Recipients included former competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintain sporting facilities and services.
The Australian Sports Medal was formally established on 23 December 1999 by Letters Patent.
How it is awarded
The Australian Sports Medal was awarded by the Governor-General.Most of the medals were presented to people following their nomination by the sports community. Peak sports bodies recognised or funded by the Australian Sports Commission were given quotas according to a formula based on the number of their registered competitors. All Australian parliamentarians were able to make nominations.
The medals were progressively awarded during the year 2000.
The Australian Sports Medal does not carry a post-nominal entitlement.
Past recipient story
Belinda Clark, Captain of the Australian Women’s Cricket TeamAustralian women's cricket team
The Australian women's cricket team played their first Test match in 1934/5, when they lost to England two-nil in a three-Test series. Since then they have improved and are generally considered the best women's cricket team in the world...
, is one of more than 18,000 medal recipients. She was awarded the medal in 2000 for her achievements on the field as player and captain, and for her tireless work as advocate and administrator of the game of cricket. Belinda has always led by example, averaging more than 50 runs in test matches and 40 in one-day internationals. She holds the women’s record one day score of 229, made against Denmark in Mumbai in 1997.
External links
- It's an Honour - Australian Government site