Soccer Mum MICHELLE HOPING to kick goals as PIRIE SPORTS Award Nominee

WORDS: Wayne Hickson PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

The dramatic turning around of a Gold Coast soccer club that today leads in on and off-field diversity and inclusion has resulted in one tireless member earning nomination for a prestigious local sporting accolade.

The 2022 Daphne Pirie AO MBE Spirit of Sport Medal will be awarded to an athlete, coach, administrator or volunteer who best demonstrates the true meaning of sportsmanship.

It is presented in honour of the late Daphne Pirie’s lifetime of service to sports administration, athletics and hockey and as a tireless advocate for girls and women in sport.

And long-time Musgrave Hill F.C president Michelle Shultz has found herself a contender for this year’s gong.

“After moving to the Gold Coast in 2007 as a single parent and passionate about my children playing sport, we joined Musgrave,” Shultz said.

“But I saw the club needed a business-minded person to come on board, someone to work with the local community to build the assets and the membership base.

“So, we got about establishing a great partnership with the council and the local councillors, state members and local businesses, especially Westpac by signing to a referrer program that has helped the club and its members significantly.

“I started as sponsorship coordinator, then became secretary for four years and for the past 10 years I’ve proudly been president of the club,” she said.

Shultz counts starting the weekly Musgrave Inclusive program for children and young adults with special needs eight years ago amongst her most rewarding achievements.

“We hold multicultural tournaments and an annual day featuring indigenous teams, working closely with Football Queensland and local councillors.

“We also have over 30 refugee children playing at our club and we host an annual International Women’s Day event alongside our women’s football program which features three women’s teams and two junior girls teams,” she said.

During her time as president Shultz has acquired grants and funding for a 200-seat grandstand, toilet upgrades, fencing, lighting and a new scoreboard.

“But without doubt our greatest pride is in the complete rebuild of our main clubhouse which included a new kitchen, appliances, bar, storerooms and office, to make it the Coast’s most modern football clubhouse,” she said.

According to Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame chair Trina Hockley the award, to be presented at the annual Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year Gala on Friday 8 July at RACV Royal Pines Resort, always unearths an unsung local hero.

People wishing to nominate themselves or another person for the awards should send 250 words to the Secretary, Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame, PO Box 3147 Southport 4215 no later than COB on Monday 6 June 2022.

About the Spirit of Sport Medal

The Daphne Pirie AO MBE Spirit of Sport Medal is awarded annually to an athlete, coach, administrator or sport volunteer (or combination thereof) who, through their long and meritorious involvement in either their chosen sport or in sporting pursuits generally, demonstrates the true meaning of sportsmanship.

The medal recipient will demonstrate most of the following attributes:

•  Involvement over an extended period, ideally in a voluntary capacity.
•  Made a real and measurable difference to their sport or to sport generally.
•  Positively affected both their sport and that sport’s participants.
•  Exhibited selflessness, courage, dedication and commitment to the advancement of their chosen sport or sport in general and to individual participants.

Nominations are considered by the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

Tickets for the Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year are now available at www.sportsgoldcoast.com.au