The APF awards are our way of recognising members Achievements and Contributions to the sport.
Check out what awards are on offer, how to nominate someone, and a record of past Awardees and Record Holders.
Master of Sport Parachuting
The APF's highest award.
Outstanding achievements and Service/Contribution over many years, that has had a positive and lasting impact on the sport at a national or world level.
The MOSP criteria comprises both that of the Lifetime Service and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In other words, it is expected that the nominee has made both outstanding personal achievements and outstanding contribution/service.
This award will sometimes go to a major innovator in the sport whose work has led to major improvements in areas such as safety and training. It is unlikely to be awarded for a single event or achievement.
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Criteria
- Current full term, honorary life or life member (at time of awarding)
- 25 years cumulative membership
- Currently maintaining some involvement in the sport or industry
- Awards committee have discretion based on other relevant criteria
Areas of Contribution
- Major Contribution to growth of sport or industry
- Major contribution to safety
- Major contribution to training
- Sport Administration
- Voluntary APF roles
- Where the member has gone above and beyond their required role
- A member who has managed a successful Skydiving Operation that has significantly supported the aims of the APF
- Instructional
- Other
Areas of Achievement
- International Competition achievements representing Australia
- International Records recognised by FAI
- Major Innovation
- Other
Voting Requirement
Can only be awarded by unanimous vote of Directors present, in a secret ballot during a properly constituted Board meeting.
Lifetime Service Award
Outstanding sustained contribution, over 25 years, that has had a positive impact on the sport or industry at a national level.
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Service Award
Outstanding sustained contribution over a minimum of 10 years, that has had a positive impact on the sport or industry at a national level.
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Tim Bates Skydiver of the year award
Created initially by Tim's family, the annual award recognizes an outstanding APF member for their passion, ability, input, excellence and contribution to our sport within the current year.
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APF Life Time Service Award
Criteria
25 years cumulative APF membership.
Someone who has given 25 years of service to the APF and the sport/industry. Those 25 years do not need to be consecutive.
Current APF member
Currently maintaining some involvement within the sport or industry.
Awards committee have discretion based on other relevant criteria
Areas of Contribution
Major Contribution to growth of sport or industry
Major contribution to safety
Sport Administration
APF Voluntary Roles Where the member has gone above and beyond their required role
A member who has managed a successful Skydiving Operation that has significantly supported the aims of the APF
Instructional
Other
Voting Requirements
Can be made by a majority board vote
APF Service Award
Criteria
10 years APF membership.
Someone who has given 10 years of service to the APF (sport/Industry). The 10 years do not need to be consecutive.
Current APF member.
Currently maintaining some involvement within the sport or industry.
Awards committee have discretion based on other relevant criteria
Areas of Contribution
- Growth of sport or industry
- Safety
- Sport Administration
- Voluntary APF Roles Where the member has gone above and beyond their required role
- Instructional
- Other
Voting Requirements
Can be made by a majority board vote
APF Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is to recognise multiple significant achievements over many years.
Achievements can include:
- Jumping achievements at or above what is required for an achievement award.
- Outstanding achievements over many years, that has had a positive and lasting impact on the sport at a national level.
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APF Achievement Award
Recognises outstanding personal achievement by an APF member.
APF Lifetime Achievement Award
Criteria
- Current APF member
- 25 years cumulative APF membership.
- Currently maintaining some involvement within the sport or industry.
- Awards committee may have discretion based on other relevant criteria
Areas of Achievement
International Competition achievements
International Records
Major Innovations
Other
Voting Requirements
Can be made by a majority board vote.
APF Achievement Award
Areas of Achievement
Recognises outstanding personal achievement by an APF member in:
- Skydiving performance - as:
a. a holder of a national or international record, or b. a medal recipient at an *FAI First Category Event, or c. a worthy achievement approved by the APF Board
*These are generally World Cups or World Championship events.
- Judging - as an APF Judge selected to judge at an FAI First Category Event (Note: These are generally World Cup or World Championship Events). Nominations are presented to the Board via a report from the National Judging Officer or National Competitions Officer.
- Other - as a member who has made a valuable and significant contribution to the Federation (Note: This award may apply for a single significant achievement, unlike the Service Award which tends to reflect sustained service). Nominations are presented to the Board via the Awards Committee.
Achievement Awards are subject to the formal approval of the Board, taking into account the criteria and nomination procedures listed above.
APF Special Awards
Honorary Life Membership
Recognises exemplary and outstanding service in any capacity.
This can go to any natural person. This award is useful when needing to recognise a contribution by someone who is not an APF member.
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It also recognises long term participation in the sport and is available upon application by current financial members who have been members for 30 years (no other criteria required).
Nominate 30years
Criteria
- Automatically given to LAA , LSA, MoSP if not held already or;
- Persons having shown exceptional support to the sport above and beyond the normal membership requirement or;
- 30 years of APF membership
Voting Requirements
Majority board approval in a secret ballot.
Tim Bates Skydiver of the year award
Created initially by Tim's family, the annual award recognizes an outstanding APF member for their passion, ability, input, excellence and contribution to our sport within the current year.
This award celebrates the spirit and skills of skydiver Tim Bates, who unexpectedly died from the effects of Diabetes in 2005. His family wished the Award to embrace the attributes that Tim brought to the Skydiving Sport.
The recipient of the Tim Bates Award for the Outstanding Skydiver of the Year receives a trophy and a $500 cash prize.
It should be the aim of the Awards committee to ensure one is awarded each year.
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Criteria
- Current APF Member
- A passion for the sport, and for developing the sport
- Demonstrated ability to, at times, put the sport before individual ambition
- Willingness to help and nurture others in the sport, and to work towards inclusiveness
- Desire and ability to excel within their chosen area(s) of endeavour within the sport
- Ability, skill and desire to put more back into the sport
Voting Requirements
The Selection Panel will include a member of the Bates family and APF members representative of the Awards Committee and the previous year’s Tim Bates Award for the Outstanding Skydiver of the Year winner.
Claude Gillard Australian Skydiving Legends Award
The award recognises and honours those who, through leadership, innovation and outstanding achievements, have defined, promoted and advanced skydiving in Australia at the highest and most sustained levels such that they have made it possible for generations of skydivers to enjoy and progress within our sport.
The award is named in honour of Claude Gillard, a true pioneer of Australian sport parachuting. Claude began jumping in 1959 and by 1962 was already an Australian parachuting champion. He performed Australia’s first 2-way relative jump, set a national record two-minute free-fall at 23,600 ft and over more than five decades contributed as instructor, rigger, competitor, administrator and international judge. Claude served as President of the Australia Parachute Federation from 1966 to 2001 and also held leadership roles internationally in the sport. Naming this award after him is our way of recognising his enduring legacy and embodying the spirit of excellence, commitment and service that he demonstrated.
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Criteria
Have actively participated in the sport as a member of the APF (may be past or current member)
Nominees may be living or deceased
Awards committee have discretion based on other relevant criteria
Areas of Contribution
Made major contributions to the sport in at least 3 of the following skydiving related areas:
o Leadership
o Administration
o Instruction
o Competition [to include judging]
o Photography/videography
o Aviation and provision of skydiving aircraft
o Innovation
o Design, Invention and/or Manufacturing
o Sport promotion [to include government liaison]
o Philanthropy.
Voting Requirements
By a majority vote of the local area council chairs or their delegates