Corowa Rowing Club captain Wes Canny joined elite sporting company when awarded the Gallagher Victorian Community Coach of the Year award at the Victorian Sport Awards last Wednesday night.  

The renowned rowing coach was one of 20 overall winners at Marvel Stadium, but admits he didn’t expect to add to the trophy cabinet when he was originally nominated for the award last month.

“It was a surprise to be nominated and I was obviously wrapped on the night to get awarded the community coach of the year, which was a big surprise, but it was a great night just being there,” Wes told The Free Press.

“(I was) pretty shocked, don’t worry about that, and it was the first award read out so I got there thinking ‘We’ll just see how it all unfolds and we’ll be alright’, but it was the first one read out.”

Wes was up against three other community coaches across the state, and what were his expectations on the night?

“Well one in four,” the popular character remarked. 

“It was great to see all the people there and doing what they do for their clubs, they all have an impact at community level which is a great thing and having my family and friends there was great.

“Thanks to Josie Millard from Rowing Victoria who nominated me, really everyone at the Corowa Rowing Club, every person I’ve taught to row and my wife and family.”

Wes coaches across all levels from beginners to national champions and is involved in all aspects of the rowing club, from on-water activities to the day-to-day running of the club. 

Wes is committed to setting up appropriate training programs for rowers of all abilities and regularly undertakes professional training to enhance his development as a rowing coach, understanding the great value this has on all athletes.  

But his tireless efforts don’t end there, with the 50-year-old also involved with the Wahgunyah Football Club.

Vicsport Chairman Ron Gauci said the awards night is all about recognising the state’s local sporting heroes. 

“The nominations go to a review panel with judges, we have an extensive list of judges and some of them are quite high profile prolific people in the sports community,” he told The Free Press.

“We ascertain how they match up against our criteria, and Wes fit all of our criteria. He has terrific work ethic and is very committed to what he’s doing. He’s made a significant contribution.

“Every year we get an extensive list of nominations and it’s not an easy process, but we know the winners are actually the best of the best. 

“With Wes, we love the fact that he is very popular in his community, the work he’s done is outstanding and the effort he’s made to undergo the professional development training he’s put in place – we thought  he was an exceptional character and the recommendation from the panel was that he should win that award. 

“The applause when his name was announced was quite amusing, to hear the roar of the crowd that was there to support him said it all. 

“It was the first award of the night so it was a great way to set the night. He’s a very popular man obviously.”  

Wes spends six of his seven days a week at the rowing club and even starts work at 4am every Wednesday so that he can finish early and take students out on the river in the afternoon – an example of his incredible devotion.

“His dedication – I’ve never seen anything like it, not only in our sport but with anything he does, he’s a great person,” Corowa Rowing Club President Robert O’Halloran said.

Some other winners from the night attended by 500 people included the likes of 2018 Winter Olympic medallist Scotty James, former Western Bulldogs Vice President Susan Alberti and Melbourne United basketball coach Dean Vickerman. 

“If you have a look at the other nominations and winners, he was in good company that’s for sure,” Mr Gauci said.

Mr O’Halloran is also adamant that the rowing club would not be where it is today if it wasn’t for Wes’ contribution.