Billy Rilen has been named the 2026 School Sport Victoria (SSV) Primary Region Coordinator of the Year, an award that acknowledges excellence in delivering high-quality, inclusive sporting opportunities for students and strengthening pathways from school to community and elite sport.

The recognition places Billy among the top coordinators in the state, selected from 16 regional positions across Victoria. It follows previous honours in 2022, where he was awarded both the SSV Primary Division Coordinator of the Year and the SSV Primary School Sport Coordinator of the Year.

The award highlights not only his ability to deliver large-scale sporting events, but also his leadership, innovation and commitment to improving access and participation for all students. Through his role, Billy has led significant improvements across Gippsland school sport, including modernising Gippsland Region operations through digital systems to streamline competitions, expanding participation opportunities, and strengthening connections between schools, local clubs and sporting organisations.

In his nomination profile, he was praised for “lifting the quality, consistency, participation and profile of school sport across Gippsland, leaving a lasting positive impact on students, teachers and the broader sporting community.”

“I’ve seen a real lift in student confidence,” Billy said. “Students know they can come to me for accurate information about any level of interschool sport and they trust that I’ll find it for them and their parents. That trust helps them feel confident about getting involved and having a go.”

He also credits the strong collaboration among local educators and coordinators as a key factor in the region’s success. “I’m really lucky to work with an amazing group of Division Coordinators who all play a big role in delivering Region sports,” he said. “We’re also fortunate in the Traralgon District to have such a collaborative group of high-quality PE teachers. Being on the same page and working together, while also helping to upskill and build each other’s knowledge, makes a huge difference to how successful our competitions are and how positive the experience is for students.”

Beyond competition, Billy believes school sport plays a vital role in shaping young people. “These experiences help build confidence, character and a strong sense of belonging, and they shape how students interact with others both at school and beyond. Sport becomes a powerful tool for developing positive behaviours, attitudes and values that carry through into everyday school life.”

His work has also strengthened ties between schools and the wider community, creating clear pathways for students to transition into local and higher-level sport. “School sport brings schools, families, clubs and local organisations together. Whether it’s competitions, carnivals or pathways into community sport, it creates shared experiences where everyone is supporting the students and celebrating their efforts.”

Looking ahead, Billy is focused on continuing to grow inclusive opportunities, particularly for students with disabilities, and further enhancing the quality and accessibility of school sport programs.

While honoured by the recognition, he remains focused on the bigger picture. “I hope students see that hard work, commitment and having a go can really pay off, not just for results, but for the impact you can have on others. You don’t have to be the best athlete to make a real difference in sport; there are so many ways to contribute, lead and support others.”

The achievement is a source of pride for the wider community, highlighting the strength of school sport in Gippsland and the positive impact it continues to have on young people.