• Read more about the AIS Sport Performance Awards

Williams is a passionate member of Adelaide’s Brighton Cricket Club and is known for her willingness to go above and beyond in her role to see growth in the game.

Despite having little knowledge of cricket when her son signed up four years ago, she has helped Brighton CC achieve record number of junior participants, led the introduction of the club’s first girls team, plays a key role in fundraising and securing grants and has been instrumental in building a ‘one club’ culture across the club, removing the divide between seniors and juniors.

She said it was great to have all volunteers acknowledged.

"It means a lot to think that I've actually had an impact on the club I've been involved with, the sport I've been involved with and that I've benefitted cricket in South Australia and Australia," she said.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chair Josephine Sukkar AM presented the award and congratulated Williams, acknowledging the importance of recognising volunteers, the “unsung heroes” in sport for the work they do to keep sport alive.

“Our volunteers are at the heart of Australian sport and play a critical role in our sporting system,” she said.

“Many of them provide some of our greatest sporting talent with their very first connection to sport – the coach, the team manager, the timekeeper, field markers – the list goes on.

“The 2.9 million Australians volunteer in sport provide labour to the value of $4 billion and often are the ones that keep our games running and our clubs open.

“Volunteers put themselves forward to help their communities, making sport a safe, fun and inclusive place while benefiting from the health and social benefits themselves.”

Through initiatives like the Sport Volunteer Coalition and the coalition’s Action Plan the ASC is advocating and delivering real change across the sector.

The ASC would like to also congratulate and acknowledge the other finalists in the Volunteer of the Year award:

• Theodora Niakolas – Special Olympics Australia
• Tea-Rose Passon - Surf Life Saving Australia
• Amanda Bowman – Golf Australia