Peter Elliott-Redfern, a father of two from Hawker, is in the running to win the Phillips Community Sports Dad of the Year award! Peter coaches the Belsouth Junior Soccer Club who nominated him for his all-round awesome-ness. Up against other super Dad’s around Australia, Peter is a top nominee and has the chance to win an array of fantastic prizes and community recognition.

Peter spent last Sunday with Sports-Dad Anthony Minichiello at a sports clinic at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park Sydney with a couple of the other top nominees. Peter had a ball and gave us an insight into the day..

When did you find out your were nominated for the Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year award and how do you feel about it?

I found out about my nomination for the Community Sports Dad of the Year about a week ago. It was after the soccer game, where I talk to the boys about the game they’ve just played and give out, as we do every week, an encouragement award to one of our players. The manager of the team said that we have some exciting news and that’s when he told me I was nominated for the Community Sports Dad of the Year and I was invited to a special sports clinic in Sydney. To be honest I was in shock and quite emotional as I am not really an awards person but I was really excited and taken back by the impact that I have on the soccer team. My goal towards coaching the boys is to inspire them to always try their best and be there for each other as a team.

Philips male grooming held a special Sports Clinic on Sunday as a reward for some of the nominated dads and you were involved. What was it like, and in particular meeting NRL legend Anthony Minichiello?

I really enjoyed being part of the Phillips male grooming part of the sports clinic especially when I was nominated to try some of their products and when my son was smearing all the foam on my face because it made us laugh and we really enjoyed the moment.

It was great to meet Anthony on Sunday, a really enjoyable experience to be able to have a chat and a laugh with him. He was very down to earth and very easy to talk to. I particularly like the way he ran the clinic as it was really fun and it reminded me of the way I coach James’ team. To let the kids learn skills but in a way that is fun. He had a good approach towards all the kids and dads, it was great, though I am feeling a bit sore today after Anthony put us through that vigorous boot camp session.. LOL. Thanks Anthony.

Any finals thoughts about the Sports Clinic and your nomination in this years Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year?

I would just like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Paul for organising such a great day and also to Phillips for providing the fantastic prizes for the dads. All the way home my wife Belinda, James, Grace and I could not stop talking about what a great day we had. It was really good to meet the other dads and their kids and run around with some of the stars of sport and have some fun.

As for being nominated, I am not one to ask people to vote for me as I coach kids teams to inspire them to be the best that they can be and to enjoy the sport they are playing. It’s great to be acknowledged and I really appreciate that I have had the opportunity to attend the sports clinic as this was the best reward to able to spend time with our kids running around enjoying themselves, it was the best.

Good Luck Peter!

Being from the ACT we’re of course behind Peter, and you can support him too, by click here to vote.