At a time when male-dominated sports such as rugby league are dealing with sex scandals and criminal charges amongst their players, the Canberra Capitals were being honoured and heralded not only for their on-court success but also for the way they conducted themselves off-court.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr made the announcement on Friday at the team's main sponsor, the University of Canberra, saying the award went to the Capitals players, coaches, volunteer support staff and local fans, the "entire Capitals family".

"I think it's important to acknowledge the very strong culture the team has developed over many years," Mr Barr said.

"And in an era when - how can I put it? - the off-court or off-field behaviour in some sports has left a lot to be desired, the Capitals have demonstrated that they cannot only be competitive, successful on-court, but they can also demonstrate off-court a great engagement with the community, working with their supporters and so many key stakeholders, to be fantastic role models.

"Not just for young women, but for young men and for all of those who value teamwork, long-term commitment and rewards for hard work."

The Canberra Citizen of the Year is presented each year to an individual, or a group, who have made an outstanding contribution to the Canberra community.

The Capitals last month won their eighth WNBL championship, defeating Adelaide Lightning 93-73 in game three of the grand final series.

Former long-time Capitals coach Carrie Graf was also at Friday's announcement and said the culture of the team had been fostered very deliberately.

"It's the character of the people we recruit," she said.

"We've got a quality coach, a man of great character, and it's from the top down."

Ms Graf said with most of the players still needing to be employed in other jobs, the women valued their roles in the team and took seriously the work they did in the community, whether it was visiting schools or hospitals or conducting basketball clinic.

"They go about their community work with authenticity," she said.

Many of the players had returned to their other jobs and couldn't be at the announcement but star players Kelsey Griffin and Keely Froling were there and humbled by how much the team had been embraced by Canberra. Froling, 23, is originally from Townsville, while Griffin, 31, was from Alaska. Both were proud to share in the Canberra Citizen of the Year award.

"The word 'role model' gets thrown around a lot, especially with athletics and being a sports person, but you know you're doing the right thing when you get awards like this," Griffin said.

"I feel like we try and so to be able to be acknowledged for it is really nice and something I really take on board and take a lot of pride in because I know it's a responsibility that I have.

"I'm very fortunate to get to play sport for a living but it comes with a lot of responsibility and one of that is being a good role model. It's not only me, it's my entire team, the coaching staff and the club, that's really modelled well and it's very nice to be acknowledged for it."

Capitals coach Paul Gorris was very clear about where the team stood.

"We are part of the Canberra fabric," he said.

The Capitals No.1 ticket holder, eight-year-old Daliah Lee, was also at the announcement, reflecting the values of the club, in her innocent but forthright way. Daliah was granted the honour after taking on Kelloggs for showing men and boys but not girls and women playing sport on their Nutri-Grain boxes.

While Kelloggs had promised to change the boxes this year, nothing has been done so far and Daliah was remaining ever vigilant.

"We think they've lowered the price to get rid of the old boxes first," she said, with typical aplomb.