2021 Heartland Award Winner

The Heartland Award Winner has been named for the NBL21 season, recognising the club’s volunteer of the year.

Olivea Sutton is a passionate member of the Coverforce Heartland Crew and has been handed the honour for 2021.

Olivea was picked from a shortlist of five strong candidates, including Alanna Quigley, Ai-Dan Huynh, Christine Sayers and Adam Courozous.

All nominees fulfilled their roles to a standard above and beyond what was required and championed the cause of the Phoenix, capturing the sense of community and inclusiveness.

In a season filled with changing schedules and circumstances, Olivea juggled a full-time job to volunteer on all but one gamedays this year.

“I was very shocked to receive the award, it definitely took me by surprise,” she said.

“It’s obviously a lovely honour but it’s certainly not why I do it. I see our volunteer group as a little family. We’re quite a tight-knit, awesome little group.

“I love the atmosphere of the club itself. It’s got quite a community feel about it, which I think is really lovely.

“There’s no real distinction whether you’re a staff member or volunteer, everybody’s just there to help.”

Ahead of the NBL22 season, Olivea is urging anyone interested to get involved in the Coverforce Heartland Crew.

“You get out a lot more out of it than you put in. it’s really rewarding.

“You get to meet great people from staff to volunteers. You also get the action of the game and I just think if you love basketball or sport in general, it’s an awesome thing to do.

“For the volunteers, we’re such a diverse little group that it’s lovely to hear what other people are doing and why people have joined and started volunteering within the club.”

If you’d like to get involved in the Coverforce Heartland Crew for the NBL22 season, click HERE.

Phoenix Media (15/07/2021)