A PENTLAND Calisthenics College coach’s commitment to innovation and dedication to inclusivity has her in the running for a second top award within six months.<\/p>\n
Rebecca Farnell is one of four finalists for the Victorian Sports Awards community coach of the year.<\/p>\n
The award is open to community coaches across the state, who have made a significant contribution to their club, association or district during the 2025 calendar year, with a particular focus on improving community sport through encouraging participation, fairness, integrity and making sport more welcoming and inclusive.<\/p>\n
Farnell coaches a diverse team of women aged 26 to 70 at Pentland and has aimed to forge a welcoming, inclusive environment by tailoring choreography to individual strengths.<\/p>\n
Since she began coaching, team numbers have tripled and her encouragement has led to masters competing in solos and duos for the first time at the college.<\/p>\n
Dedicated to thorough preparation and positive communication, she inspires athletes to support one another and she recently completed a Youth Engagement Project training module to strengthen communication and engagement practices.<\/p>\n
Pentland Calisthenics College president Kristy Herridge said the nomination was something the whole college and, in particular, Farnell herself could celebrate.<\/p>\n
“We are incredibly proud of Bec on her nomination for community coach of the year,” she said.<\/p>\n
“She embodies everything we value at Pentland, creating an inclusive, supportive environment where every member feels they belong and can succeed.<\/p>\n
“Her impact on our performers and broader club has been significant and we feel very fortunate to have her as part of our community.”<\/p>\n
Farnell, a long-time Pentland development coach, will vie for honours against three other distinguished nominees; Alanna Baldi, Narelle Draper and John Fleming.<\/p>\n
Baldi returned to cricket coaching for the first time last year since living with a traumatic brain injury, coaching openly with a disability and founding the first ever Numurkah Youth Club Cricket Club All-Abilities program.<\/p>\n
Hazel Glen Netball Club’s Draper, who not only coached five teams during 2025 but was the head coach for a school academy program, participated in multiple coaching clinics and served as president, while establishing a culture of community and embracing diversity.<\/p>\n
Neerim South senior cricket coach Fleming, refused to let the club’s division 5 team fall due to lack of players in 2025, by arranging seven juniors to fill the team each week, dedicating his time to developing their talents regardless of age, gender or skill level to ensure they felt comfortable.<\/p>\n
Farnell’s nomination comes four months after she was awarded coach of the year (divisions 4-7) by Calisthenics Victoria.<\/p>\n
Serving predominantly as the head coach of the Masters Red team, she has assisted in numerous additional sections.<\/p>\n
“We are so very proud of her hard work and know we are so lucky to have such a passionate and committed coach at our club,” Herridge said.<\/p>\n
“She has juggled both competing and coaching over the years, as well as a demanding study load, taking everything in her stride.<\/p>\n
“While she steps back from masters this year, we are so excited to see what she will achieve as assistant coach to the senior section in 2026.”<\/p>\n
The community of the coach of the year and 17 other category winners will be announced at the VSA awards dinner at the MCG on Wednesday 13 May.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A PENTLAND Calisthenics College coach’s commitment to innovation and dedication to inclusivity has her in the running for a second top award within six months. Rebecca Farnell is one of four finalists for the Victorian Sports Awards community coach of the year. The award is open to community coaches across the state, who have made […]<\/p>\n