By Brendan Rees
A dedication to softball has earned Elaine Duyvestyn of Cranbourne a prestigious Victorian Sports Award.
In front of 500 people at Marvel Stadium, Ms Duyvestyn was awarded the Victorian State Government Service to Victorian Community Sport and Recreation at the Victorian Sport Awards on Wednesday 20 February.
“I was surprised to be declared the winner as the other finalists were also worthy of such recognition,” Ms Duyvestyn said.
“Initially I was motivated by a small group of softball stalwarts who volunteered tirelessly to promote and develop our sport.
She started her softball life with Wingers Softball Club based at Fawkner Park, South Yarra as a player and soon after coach.
“My motivation has been driven by working alongside some amazing volunteers as we strive to provide opportunities for individuals, of all age and ability levels, to participate and achieve their goals, in our great sport,” Ms Duyvestyn said.
Through her mentors, she quickly became involved taking on administrative roles in club, local association, being Melbourne and the state organisation, Softball Victoria.
“Also around 1982 I was approached to assist in establishing a softball club in Cranbourne, where I was a new resident that would compete in the Berwick, now Casey, Softball Association,” Ms Duyvestyn said, who has also dedicated 30 years as a volunteer in management with Clarendon Street Community Child Care Centre in Cranbourne.
“I became a founding member of Cranbourne Softball Club holding positions of mentor and head coach.”
About two decades later she says she found her time too thinly spread and her commitments to the club “sadly ended to enable me to do more for Softball Victoria.”
“Cranbourne Club awarded me an honorary life membership and I am a life member of Wingers, Melbourne and Victoria.”
