2024 SMAANZ Distinguished Service Award winner.

It is with great pleasure the SMAANZ Board announces Associate Professor Geoff Dickson as the 2024 SMAANZ Distinguished Service Award winner. The award will be presented at the 2024 SMAANZ Conference Dinner in Geelong in December.

Associate Professor Dickson is currently an Associate Professor of Sport Management and Co-Director of the Centre for Sport and Social Impact (CSSI) at La Trobe University, having worked previously across institutions in Australia and New Zealand. Geoff has previously served as a SMAANZ Board and former President, as well as serving as a longstanding Editorial Board member with Sport Management Review. He has also been a previous SMAANZ conference chair and has been a regular attendee and contributor to most of our annual SMAANZ conferences.

In addition to this, Geoff's scholarly achievements are significant. With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, as well as authorship of numerous book chapters, his research has advanced topics ranging from organisational theory and sports governance to sports sponsorship and consumer behaviour. He has also consistently bridged academia and practice, engaging with industry partners to ensure his work has practical impact. Beyond this, Geoff has also made substantial contributions to the sport industry, including as an active contributor to community sport initiatives and long-standing roles with organisations like AFL New Zealand. The award also acknowledges his continued mentorship of his students, colleagues, SMAANZ members, and members of the broader sport management community. His leadership and service exemplify the spirit of this award, and we celebrate his ongoing dedication to advancing SMAANZ's mission and the broader field of sport management.

In announcing the award, SMAANZ President, Dr Ashleigh-Jane Thompson noted:
"We are delighted to announce and congratulate Associate Professor Geoff Dickson as the recipient of the SMAANZ Distinguished Service Award for 2024, in recognition of his outstanding and ongoing contributions to SMAANZ, to the field of sport management, and the broader sport management community, in both Australia and New Zealand. Geoff's prolific research track record, his leadership roles with the Association and Sport Management Review, and collaborations within academia and the sport industry make him a deserving recipient of this award. Notable in his nomination was not only the widespread esteem of his academic and leadership contributions, but also his collegiality and significant mentorship of students and colleagues. We look forward to Geoff's continued contributions to the field and our community"

Associate Professor Dickson was honoured to accept the award:
"I am honoured to receive the SMAANZ Distinguished Service Award. SMAANZ has always been an important part of my academic journey. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, a village is also necessary to raise an academic. SMAANZ has been my village"

Associate Professor Geoff Dickson becomes the tenth winner of the SMAANZ Distinguished Service Award. See the full list of winners here. Geoff was nominated for the award, with the nomination enthusiastically supported by letters from members of the SMAANZ community based locally and internationally. The nomination was then ratified by the SMAANZ board. We thank the nominators and those who provided letters of support for this award round.

Please join us in congratulating Geoff and we look forward to the formal presentation in December.