Lisa Baker at the 2024 Sportstar Awards. Photos: Jordan Townrow
Photo by
Jordan Townrow
Echuca-Moama Basketball Association president Lisa Baker stunned the crowd at the 2024 Sportstar Awards on Monday, March 3, by claiming the highly competitive spirit of sport category.
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The EMBA stalwart has been involved with the club since she was 13 years old and has been the president of the association for the past three years.
Basketball runs in the blood for Baker, whose grandfather founded the association, while Baker has continued the family tradition and spearheaded the growth and revival of the sport in the region.
There are roughly 1000 people involved with EMBA, including committee members, those in administration roles, coaches, players and players’ families.
Basketball has grown exponentially in Australia over the past decade, which Baker attributes to “the visibility of professional leagues such as the NBA and NBL, as well as enhanced player pathways programs”.
This isn’t the first piece of recognition for Baker and her work with the club as she was named 2024 female volunteer of the year by the Victoria Country Commission of Basketball Victoria for her services in facilitating growth and dedication to Echuca basketball.
Special guest speaker Regan Hollioake (back left) with spirit of sport nominee Ben Trevena, Cooma Cricket Club’s Noah Stevens and Xavier Fawcett; (front) nominee Betty McCoomb, Ben’s son Josh Trevena, Cooma Cricket Club’s Emma Napier, nominee Sarah Mulkearns and winner Lisa Baker.
Photo by
Jordan Townrow
The criteria for the award was volunteering, dedication to the club, growing the club, being proactive and organising programs which coincide with the criteria for the spirit of sport award.
Baker was shocked at winning the award, but was quick to clarify she did not view the nod as a personal accolade, but one earned by the entire Echuca-Moama Basketball Association.
“It was a big surprise to win this award, there were some fantastic nominations and everyone deserved it, so I am absolutely humbled but very excited,” she said.
“I don’t view this as an award for me but for the entire EMBA. I want to thank the crew behind me, they are a wonderful bunch.
“We always work together well and get the job done.
“It has been a wonderful evening. It is so great to see all the amazing and talented sports people in our towns and region.”
Baker beat out nominees Ben Trevena, Betty McCoomb, Sarah Mulkearns and Cooma Cricket Club for the award.
