THE MELBOURNE Cricket Club’s Hans Ebeling Award is a rare honour in the sporting community, and the winners of it come from diverse backgrounds, linked by their connection to the MCC. 

Introduced in 1981 to honour those who have given outstanding service to the MCC’s Sporting Sections, it commemorates Hans Ebeling, who stands tall to this day as both a sportsman and administrator.

Last night, one of Melbourne’s own stood tall as Hassa Mann was named as dual winner of the award for 2011, alongside John Tait from the Hockey Section.

Both were, as Mann put it, ‘completely stunned’. 

Still involved in the Melbourne Football Club to this day, he is humble about his achievements and contributions alike, which date back to 1959, when he was Best First Year Player, and stretch across the premierships of 1959, 1960 and 1964 and beyond. 

They extend into administrative service, as Club director, CEO and then, once again as director, this time at The Bentleigh Club.

Mann’s is a landscape of wonderful connections and personalities, and he is ever appreciative of this. 

‘Whatever I achieved in my sporting career and my commercial career, I owe to the Melbourne Football Club. To serve as a player and as a captain was a tremendous honour. To be recruited by Jim Cardwell, and to be coached by the great Norm Smith - how lucky was I to play in the most successful era of the Melbourne Football Club?’

Mann is also very proud to have been ‘able to give back a little for what I have received from the Melbourne Football Club.’ 

The Hans Ebeling Award is, in turn, some small recognition for this dedication, and for the love of club which is palpably a heartfelt one for Mann. 

‘My long involvement and association with the Melbourne Football Club has never been a chore, and never will be.’

For this long association, and for his many ties to the Club which make him a worthy recipient of the Hans Ebeling Award, we congratulate Hassa Mann, and his fellow recipient, John Tait.