Stephen Bissett nominated for Community Sports Dad of the Year for his work with Eastwood St Andrews

Eastwood St Andrews coach has been nominated for Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year

Stephen Bissett has been nominated for the Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year award. He is pictured here with wife Rebecca, sons Ryan (back) and Lachlan (front) and daughter Olivia.

For the last seven years the Philips Sports Dad of the Year award has allowed Australians to vote for their favourite sporting fathers, with former finalists including Johnathan Thurston and Lleyton Hewitt.

Recently the competition has expanded to allow local sports dads to join some of the biggest names in Australian sport with the Community Sports Dad of the Year award.

Local father of three and coach for Eastwood St Andrews Australian Football Club Stephen Bissett has received just that opportunity.

Since first joining the club seven years ago, Bissett has lived and breathed Eastwood St Andrews.

His wife Rebecca says that his nomination is recognition of his hard work as a coach and his positive impact on not only the kids he looks after, but also their parents.

“So many times over the last seven years I have parents telling me how great a coach Stephen has been for their kids, or how fair he is or how he makes it fun while bringing out the best in the kids,” she said.

Since joining Eastwood St Andrews seven years ago, Stephen has had a tremendous impact on the club.

As well as coaching at the club year-round, Bissett’s sportsmanship and love of the game has seen him coach disabled children, get involved in school committees and sports carnivals and even earn the role of vice-president of Women’s Football at Eastwood St Andrews.

“It’s the first time dedicated women’s football has been at the club in 80 years, so when I got the tap on the shoulder I was all for it,” Bissett said.

“I love the job, it’s my outlet for the week.

“After seven years, you really start seeing kids believing in themselves, so my aim is to grow that as much as possible.”

Nominations for the Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year award can be made here.

Entries close this Sunday, August 21.

Stephen Bissett has been nominated for NewsLocal’s Service to Sport award as part of NewsLocal’s Junior Sports Star competition, which is sponsored by Rebel.

Other categories include Team Spirit, sponsored by Fox Sports Pulse and Young Sporting Spirit, sponsored by Simonds Homes.

To nominate someone you know, go to juniorsportsstar.com.au