Australian College of Physical Education Academic Excellence - General
Jo Brigden-Jones – Canoe Sprint
Jo Brigden-Jones is completing a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Technology. During the year she has managed to maintain a credit average. Brigden-Jones won the UTS Union Sportswoman of the Year award, and was awarded a ‘Full Blue’ in 2008. At the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, where she competed in the ‘A’ final of four events, the first time an Australian woman has achieved such a feat.
The University of Sydney Academic Excellence
Murray Stewart – Canoe Sprint
2008 saw Murray Stewart finish off a Bachelor of Design in Architecture at the University of Sydney, where he maintained an average grade of 81.5%. In 2009 Stewart commenced a Masters of Architecture. In semester one, Stewart completed three subjects attaining a distinction, credit and a pass and was awarded the Sydney University Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Sportspeople Career Development
Francis Hegerty – Rowing
As Client Manager of the Government Portfolio at Westpac, Francis Hegerty is a key point of contact for clients needs. To couple this and his sport of rowing, for which he won a silver medal in the men’s four at the 2009 world championships; Hegerty is studying a Masters of Commerce at the University of Sydney.
Ian Thorpe Outstanding Achievement
Heath Ryan – Equestrian
During the nomination period Heath Ryan suffered a stroke after developing a blood clot on a flight. While clots aren't uncommon in travellers, Ryan's found its way to his brain a month later. After a number of operations and intensive physiotherapy, Ryan was back on the horse competing, and running his business, in only a matter of weeks, and finished the year with two bronze medals from the Sydney Three Day Event.
Out and About Marketing and Media Junior Athlete of the Year
Megan Dunn – Cycling
In August, at the 2009 Junior Track Cycling World Championships in Russia, Dunn claimed three gold medals to take her tally to six junior world championship victories. Dunn emerged victorious as part of the Australian team in the women’s team pursuit and then rode solo in the women’s omnium and women’s points race. Her six junior world championship victories in 2008 and 2009 saw Dunn recognised as the most successful junior cyclist in the history of the sport.
Classic Sportswear Most Memorable Moment
Dani Samuels – Track & Field
At the 2009 IAAF Athletics World Championships, Dani Samuels stunned the crowd, and herself, to take gold in the women’s discus with a throw of 65.44m. Samuels’ throw was a new personal best by over two metres as she became the youngest ever female discus world champion. In winning gold, Samuels became one of only seven athletes to win gold at world youth, junior and senior level.
Communities, Sport and Recreation NSW Regional Excellence
Megan Dunn – Cycling
Megan Dunn is based in Dubbo and is supported by her local club, ClubsNSW member club Dubbo RSL. Dunn has cemented her place as the world’s best junior cyclist after winning back to back triple junior world championship crowns. At the 2009 UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships in Russia, Dunn claimed victory in the women’s omnium, women’s points race and as part of the Australian women’s team pursuit team.
Sydney City Toyota Team Athlete of the Year
Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen – Sailing
Iain Jensen and Nathan Outteridge paired to claim gold at the 2009 49er World Championships in Italy during July. The pair then teamed up with separate partners to compete at the 2009 29er World Championships. Outteridge and his partner Lauren Jeffries claimed gold in the event, while Jensen and Haley Outteridge finished with a bronze.
Kaarle McCulloch – Cycling
Cyclist Kaarle McCulloch has experienced a meteoric rise in her career. McCulloch’s crowning moment of 2009 came in March when she teamed with Anna Meares to take home a gold medal in the Women’s Team Sprint from the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Poland. McCulloch anchored the two person team to hold off a fast finishing team from Great Britain to win in a world record breaking time.
Sydney Olympic Park Authority Program of the Year
Sailing
2009 was a remarkable year for the NSWIS Sailing Program. Athletes within the program won three world championships, including Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen’s gold medal in the Men’s 49er Class, Darren Bundock’s seventh Tornado world championship victory and Nicky Souter’s match racing world championships gold medal. Lisa Darmanin and Jason Waterhouse picked up a youth world title, claiming gold in the Hobie 16 class at the 2009 Youth Sailing World Championships.
The Olympic Winter Institute of Australia Coach of the Year
Denis Knowles – Track & Field
Denis Knowles coaches NSWIS world champion Dani Samuels. In 2009 Samuels achieved what no other 21 year old female discus thrower has ever achieved, winning a world championship gold medal. In the lead up, Knowles and Samuels worked extensively with the NSWIS sport science team, this included using the Institute’s Vicon 3D motion analysis system, which captured accurate and detailed information on her throwing technique.
Communities, Sport and Recreation NSW Female Athlete of the Year
Dani Samuels – Track & Field
In 2009, at 21 years of age, Dani Samuels created history by becoming the youngest female to win a discus gold medal at the world championships. Samuels racked up a number of victories, including gold at the World University Games, before she came to Berlin, where she threw a new personal best throw of 65.44m, over two metres further than her previous best, to seal victory.
ClubsNSW Male Athlete of the Year
Kurt Fearnley – Wheelchair Track & Road
Kurt Fearnley continued his impressive list of marathon victories by claiming wins in the Paris, London and Seoul marathons in 2009. It was Fearnley’s second Paris marathon win, third Seoul win and maiden triumph in London. Fearnley needed his trademark sprint to the line to take victory in London, edging out British arch-rival David Weir by 0.01 seconds.