Taufel wins national award for sports officials

Simon Taufel has received more recognition for his umpiring after being named the official of the year at the Australian Sports Awards in Melbourne. Taufel beat a field including football and basketball referees to add the prize to his three consecutive successes as the ICC's leading umpire.

"I hope that this form of recognition creates awareness that officials are an integral part of the game and encourages other members of the community to look at match officiating as a way of contributing to their chosen favourite sport," Taufel said.

Cricket Australia's CricKids Ashes Challenge school resource was nominated as a top-three finalist in the sports information technology award and Karen Rolton, the Australia captain, was short-listed for the female athlete of the year.