BEECHWORTH Golden Serpents Dragon Boat Club has been crowned the Victorian Good Sports Award's New Club of the Year for their commitment to building a healthier, family–friendly club environment where everyone feels welcome from day one.

Hosted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation in Melbourne, the awards ceremony recognised Good Sports clubs and their dedicated volunteers from across the country who are passionate about community, their members and making their club the very best it can be.

Golden Serpents received $1000 for championing and implementing Good Sports policies that encourage inclusiveness, safety and connectedness from the moment the club was established in June 2021.

Attending the ceremony and receiving the award was a great honor and recognition of the hard work and commitment of the founding members in establishing the club according to club president Brendan Maher.

"We've made great progress in our first year and winning the National New Club of the Year Award motivates us to continue creating a welcoming club that is diverse and a positive influence on the community," Brendan said.

Club secretary Christine Gabriel was also excited about the win.

"Good Sports has been instrumental in getting the Beechworth Dragon Boat Club off the ground, setting us up with a solid foundation as we recruit new members and expand," she said.

The club attended their first State Championship Regatta at Carrum Downs last Saturday racing over 500m and 2000m in women's, open and mixed divisions.

A number of their team entries made the finals and successfully on the podium receiving three bronze medals.

Brendan said this was an amazing achievement for a new club in the first season and highlights the commitment of members enjoying team work and fitness to compete at state level.

The club is open for people to come and try the sport, aged from 10 years and up, and is suitable for virtually all ages.

"Currently we have members from Wangaratta to Myrtleford to Mt Beauty from all over North East Victoria," he said.

"It is a great sport for teamwork, fitness and friendship, we welcome and enquiries for a "Come and Try" at www.revolutionnise.com.au/beechworthdbc/."

The Good Sports Awards are the ultimate trophy for any Good Sports club, paying tribute to the heart and soul of community sporting clubs – no matter their size or sporting code.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence MP congratulated all finalists.

"Sport is more than just a competition, it breaks down barriers and brings communities together," Ms Spence said.

"I congratulate Beechworth Dragon Boat Club and every incredible Victorian Good Sports Awards finalist."

Alcohol and Drug Foundation chief executive officer, Dr Erin Lalor, praised this year's winners as community champions.

"Every Good Sports Award nominee, finalist and winner should be incredibly proud of the dedication they've shown toward their community, members and making their club the very best it can be," Dr Lalor said.

"We hope that Good Sports Awards has given clubs an opportunity to reflect on their wins on and off the field, and celebrate their achievements especially for those clubs who were affected once again by COVID–19 restrictions."

Good Sports is Australia's largest community health sports program helping build strong community sporting clubs across Australia for over 20 years.

In Victoria, Good Sports is funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

You can find the full list of this year's Good Sports Awards winners and finalists on the Good Sports website: https://goodsports.com.au/awards.