Academy Awards Regions Brightest StarsWritten on the 1 August 2023 by SWSAS  "Academy Awards Regions Brightest Stars") The 2023 South West Sydney Academy of Sport Annual Graduation and Sport Awards Dinner, held at The Cube, Campbelltown Catholic Club on Friday 28 July, was indeed an unforgettable evening, with the Academy honoring a long list of exceptional athletes and the dedicated individuals behind the scenes. Throughout the night, athletes from across the Academies twelve high-performance sports programs received well-deserved commendation for their outstanding achievements, with award winners in each sport recognised for their exceptional talent, dedication, and commitment to their respective sport programs, and to the Academy. Keynote speakers, an athlete panel featuring Daniel Grida and Tim Coenraad from the Illawarra Hawks, and Australian Free-skiier, Olympian Mia Rennie left the audience inspired through their stories of challenges through adversity, opportunity and loyalty, with an underlying theme resonating with all athletes having had serious setbacks and knee injuries throughout their sporting careers. Grida leaving the athletes with the hope that “every storm eventually runs out of rain”, whilst Rennie encouraged each and every athlete to “be the best you first, athlete second.” Acknowledging those who work diligently behind the scenes, the Academy this year introduced the inaugural "Lifetime Achievement Award" to honour individuals with over 20 years of service. This year's esteemed recipients were Chairperson Peter Campbell, who commenced as a Director within the Academy in 2002, and Gerry Knights, a founding member of the Academy’s working party in 1994, and current CEO, a position he has held since 2006. Both gentlemen’s contributions were recognised as pivotal in shaping the Academy's long-term success. In addition to the QUBE Coach Recognition awards, which are presented to coach and support staff achieving three, five or seven consecutive years of volunteer service, the Academy took the extra step in recognising the invaluable role of Volunteers, with the introduction of the "Volunteer of the Year" award in 2023. Ben Robinson, head coach of The Mac AFLW program, and Shinavia Jerochim, SVSR Mini Crane Hire Volleyball Squad Manager were jointly awarded this year, with both recipients celebrated for their tireless efforts and passion when working with the youth-aged athletes of the Academy. Yet the highlights of the evening were by far centered around the athlete achievements, with the celebrated achievements of two outstanding athletes being awarded Athletes of the Year. Fast being recognised across not only the South West Sydney region, but across the State and Nation as a phenomenal talent in baseball, Wests Future Stars athlete Adam Bates was awarded the South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal Athlete of the Year Award, whilst fellow Wests Future Star squad member, Para-Swimmer Daniel Lill was honored as the South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal AWD Athlete of the Year, recognizing his incredible journey and achievements within the Academy.
Described by his coach and many within the Academy as an exceptional individual, Brown-Tjakuapi was celebrated for his remarkable contributions and achievements, ultimately joining ten fellow athletes as nominees for the Academy’s most prestigious award, the Campbelltown Catholic Club, South West Sydney Academy of Sport, Chairpersons Award. And, true to his coach’s sentiments, Brown-Tjakuapi slam-dunked the evening, being awarded the major Chairpersons Award, highlighting not only a sensational evening for the young basketball athlete, but standing as a true testament to his exceptional leadership and dedication over the program year. The full list of award winners is as follows: Sport Program (Coaches) Awards The Mac AFLW: Brea Trevitt UAA / Sharp EIT Solutions Basketball: Jade Dabrowksi and Max Brown-Tjakuapi Bounce Back Physiotherapy BMX: Clay Jonson Campbelltown Golf Club - Golf: Joey Eason Club Menangle Hockey: Jasmine Scott-Castle and Darcy Ryder UAA Indigenous Athlete Program: Zoey Saba Bingara Gorge Netball Athletes: Blessing Donvenekham Bingara Gorge Netball Umpires: Piper Steed RBI Softball: Cassandra Taylor and Parker Cameron SIMEC Triathlon: Zoe Bruce SVSR Mini Crane Hire Volleyball: Amelie Alnimer and William Chandhara Wests Future Para Stars: Daniel Lill Wests Future Stars: Adam Bates
The QUBE Coach Recognition Awards, recognising coach and support staff contribution to the Academy. Three Year - Bronze Award Ben Robinson - AFLW Sue Paulic - Basketball Daniel Morris - BMX Rev. Jim Dayhew - Chaplain Sarah McNamara - Netball Umpire Selesitina Savae - Netball Caitlin Sendt - Triathlon
Five Year - Silver Award Samantha Garrido - Netball
Seven Year - Gold Award Michelle McNamara - Netball Umpire David Hine - Triathlon
Volunteer of the Year. AFLW Head Coach Ben Robinson, and Volleyball Squad Manager Shinavia Jerochim
Lifetime Achievement Award Peter Campbell, and Gerry Knights
South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal AWD Athlete of the Year Daniel Lill - Wests Future Para-Star - Para-Swimming
2023 South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal Academy Athlete of the Year Adam Bates - Wests Future Star - Baseball
Indigenous Person of the Year Max Brown-Tjakuapi
Chairperson Award Nominees AFLW: Alexis Paulo Basketball: Max Brown-Tjakuapi BMX: Skylar Murphy Golf: Libby Newcombe Hockey: Zayden Brooks Netball: Leisl Hopoate Softball: Jordan McSavaney Triathlon: Bodhi Jackson Volleyball: Cody Meisenhofen Wests Future Stars: Renae Edmunds
Campbelltown Catholic Club South West Sydney Academy of Sport Chairpersons Award Winner, also receiving the Western Sydney University Award for Educational Excellence: Max Brown-Tjakuapi Be sure to check out the Academy's Social Media channels for more photos and stories from the evening.
Author:SWSAS |
Following on from the Academy’s inaugural Indigenous Athlete Program in 2022-2023, the Academy was delighted in presenting its first Indigenous Person of the Year award, which went to UAA / Sharp EIT Solutions Basketball athlete, Max Brown-Tjakuapi (Pictured with Campbelltown Catholic Club Director Julie Puckrin, South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal's Antony Leone, and Western Sydney University's Katie Aguileira). 