Geoff Hallmann the Lismore Sportsperson of 2009
LISMORE man Geoff Hallmann has been named Lismore's 2009 Australia Day Sportsperson of the Year for his work with young people in sport.
Despite suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Mr Hallmann has been involved in baseball for the past 30 years, 20 of those on the Far North Coast.
He has been a committee member of FNC Baseball since 2003; involved in baseball's Claxton Shield, under-14 baseball and baseball publicity.
Mr Hallmann is also on the committee of North Coast Softball.
He coaches under-14, under-16 and under-18 baseballers from across the region, and coached the Little League under-13 side that toured New Zealand.
Mr Hallmann also helped organise the recent Australian Universities T20 Cricket Championships in Brisbane.
“I enjoy working with young people, coaching them, and seeing them evolve,” he said.
“I'll continue with it for as long as I can, but it's becoming harder and harder. Hopefully, with the rehab I'm undertaking at the moment, I can continue with my sport and the kids. I'd like to keep umpiring baseball and be involved in this year's Claxton Shield and the World Masters in October.”
Mr Hallmann was 'pretty stoked' at his nomination and humbled to have received the award, adding that he hoped to tutor in sports law management.
