Our Community Sports Star of the Year award returns this week, giving you a chance to recognise and honour sports stars in your community.

With sponsorship from Diadora and a new format, the awards are better than ever. They now include special awards for stars featured in the Journal as well as overall awards chosen from across Fairfax Community Network's 33 mastheads.

Winners in the past have included footballers David Neitz and Adam Ramanauskas and basketballer Andrew Bogut.

The Journal is also supporting Netball Victoria and Volleyball Victoria this year.

Volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country while netball has a huge and growing supporter base. Look out for coverage of both in the Journal.