V8 Supercar Championship leader James Courtney is among 10 elite athletes nominated for the 2010 Philips Sports Dad of the Year Award.The winner is determined by public online voting from today until August 31, and announced on Father's Day (September 5), a week before Courtney drives his Jim Beam Racing Ford Falcon in the Phillip Island 500 in Victoria from September 10-12.
Others nominated for the award include National Rugby League players Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), and Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Australian Football League captains Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) and Brett Kirk (Sydney Swans), and Wallaby rugby union forward Nathan Sharpe.
The list of nominees is completed by Socceroos John Aloisi and Nicky Carle, and Tour de France sprint champion and multiple stage winning cyclist Robbie McEwan.
Gold Coast-based Courtney and wife Carys have two children, daughter Zara (aged two) and son Cadel (seven months).
Votes for the award can be cast on a dedicated website http://www.sportsdads.com.au and must be accompanied by a written summary of 25 words or less why a chosen athlete should be crowned Philips Sports Dad of the Year.
The athlete who polls most votes will win $5,000 to donate to his charity of choice. Those voting will also have an opportunity to win a Philips Ultimate Father's Day Grooming Pack valued at over $5,000 (see terms and conditions on website).
Wests Tigers NRL premiership player John Skandalis won the inaugural award in 2009.
JAMES COURTNEY - background & comments on parenthood
James Courtney (aged 30) currently leads the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship by 120 points ahead of Jamie Whincup after eight of the 14 rounds. Courtney's record from 16 championship race starts this year includes four wins, three second places, and a third, and one pole position as fastest qualifier. He is in his fifth successive year of V8 Supercar racing, and his second season with Jim Beam Racing. Courtney has finished on the podium three times in the Bathurst 1000. His past record also includes two karting world titles, British Formula Ford and Japanese Formula 3 titles, and he is also an ex-Formula One test driver with Jaguar.
What is your most memorable moment with your kids?
COURTNEY: "It scares the life out of me every time I realise what a huge impact I have on them and their personalities. It makes me feel on top of the world when I can make them laugh hysterically or turn tears into a smile simply with a hug."
How hard is it spending so much time away from the kids during the V8 season?
COURTNEY: "I'm away more than 100 days a year with racing. It's a fantastic job, but the downside is being away from my family. The worst part is hanging around airports when I feel I could be home playing with the kids. That said, it's good to know they are happy and healthy at home with Carys who is a great Mum."
How big an inspiration are the kids to your career?
COURTNEY: "Being a father has helped my career in many respects. Before they came along it was all about me. Having children made me realise what the 'big picture' really is, so they have inspired me to try and achieve beyond my original goals."
What is your favourite activity with the kids?
COURTNEY: " My favourite time is the morning when I'm home and the kids are chilling out on the bed with Carys and I. They are so bright and happy and it's just contagious how happy they are and how simple their life is! It's also been fun to see Zara experience new things. When she saw fireworks and sparklers for the first time the delight in her eyes was just so pure."
Do they take an active interest in your career?
COURTNEY: "Zara has been too a few races and is starting to get caught up in the hype, especially when I'm up on the podium and everyone is cheering and screaming. It's the only time she's allowed to scream non-stop! She is starting to understand what I do a bit more by going to races and TV."
On race day, do you like to relax with the kids or do they understand to keep away from you?
COURTNEY: "I love having them around on race day. Carys understands how it all works at the track so they don't get in the way. Once my team and I finish everything that needs to be done it's great to have the kids to hang out with. It takes me out of the 'race zone' and to relax briefly in an easy way. When my kids see what I do at the track it also helps them understand what takes me away from them so much."
Carys Courtney - What makes James such a great father?
ANSWER: "James is impatient which is part of why he's a successful race driver, but with the children he switches into an entirely new mode and has all the patience in the world. That's what makes him a great Dad, and especially Zara adores him because of it. The bottom line is James is a big kid at heart and gets down and dirty with the kids no matter where we are!"
