The 2009/10 reporting period was filled with an array of outstanding performances by NSWIS athletes, with many scholarship holders competing at a number of international events including the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and a range of world championship events.
Torah Bright’s stunning gold medal in the women’s snowboard half-pipe was the standout performance for the Institute, winning the Institute’s first medal at a Winter Olympic Games. Torah’s win marked another significant step for Australian sport in the winter sports arena, and with 18 NSWIS athletes selected to the Australian Winter Olympic team the future looks bright.
The Paralympic Games were highlighted by Marty Mayberry’s silver medal in the men’s standing downhill. Five NSWIS athletes were selected to the Australian Winter Paralympic team, three of whom, including Mayberry, recorded top-10 finishes.
NSWIS athletes continued to perform at a world class level outside of Olympic and Paralympic competition, most notably our recent world champions in Dani Samuels, Christie Dawes, Ashlee Ankudinoff, Kaarle McCulloch and Fabrice Lapierre.
Dani’s performance at the 2009 IAAF Athletics World Championships was nothing short of spectacular, achieving a new personal best distance of over 65 metres in the women’s discus to become the golden girl of track and field.
Christie, who is one of Australia’s premier wheelchair track & road athletes, claimed her first world championship title thanks to a stirring performance in the women’s event at the 2010 IWAS 10km Road World Championships. Christie has competed at four Paralympic Games and this win surely confirms her legendary status in the sport.
Australia’s cycling talent has continued to improve after a lacklustre Beijing Olympic campaign, and NSWIS athletes Ashlee Ankudinoff and Kaarle McCulloch are at the forefront of the charge. Ashlee was triumphant as part of the Australian trio in the women’s team pursuit and Kaarle successfully defended her world title in the women’s team sprint, in world record time, at the 2010 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
The outstanding international results from NSWIS athletes will bode well for the Institute and Australia in the lead up to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games are only two years away and athletes hoping to achieve selection to the Australian team are working tirelessly to reach their goals.
Preparations for London are well under way with a number of athletes, programs and coaches developing their skills at specialised events, camps and conferences around the world. Attending these events ensures NSWIS athletes have the best possible opportunity to stake a claim for the London Games.
The 2009 Awards Dinner recognised the achievements of NSWIS athletes, coaches and programs in great style at the Australian Jockey Club, Randwick. Kurt Fearnley was crowned ClubsNSW Male Athlete of the Year thanks to his outstanding athletic performances, while Dani Samuels capped off a brilliant year by claiming the Communities NSW, Sport and Recreation Female Athlete of the Year.
One of the major sporting developments during the reporting period was the release of the Federal Government’s review of sport, the ‘Crawford Report’, which was established to, among other things; ensure Australia’s continued elite sporting success. There are a number of recommendations from this report being considered and these will be fully developed over the next couple of years.
I would like to express my thanks to all who have contributed to the Institute’s success over the past 12 months including the NSW State Government, our Principal Partner ClubsNSW, the NSWIS Board and our many sponsors and partners.
Many thanks must also be extended to my hard working staff for their ongoing support to creating a positive and successful working environment at the NSWIS.
Charles Turner
Chief Executive