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Female NSWIS athletes honoured at Women’s Health awards night

NSW Institute of Sport

Newsroom

Team NSWIS athletes Ella Nelson and Liesl Tesch have both received awards at the Women’s Health ‘I Support Women in Sport’ awards in Sydney last night following strong Olympic and Paralympic campaigns respectively.

Athletics star Nelson received the ‘One to Watch’ award, while two-time Paralympic sailing gold medallist Tesch was awarded the ‘Fair Fighter’ award. Rower Kim Brennan was awarded the ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ award, while Layne Beachley AO was inducted into the hall of fame.

Following her breakout performance in the women’s 200-metre sprint at the Rio Olympics, where she finished third in her semi final and set a new personal best time, Nelson said she was honoured to receive the award.

“It was crazy. I actually didn’t know about the nomination until the night, so it was a total surprise to me. I’m so honoured and the night definitely exceeded my expectations,” the 22-year-old told Athletics Australia.

“It was just amazing to be in the same room with the likes of Layne Beachley and Kim Brennan who are just amazing women and totally deserving of their awards.

“Layne’s speech was incredible and I’m so impressed in what she’s been able to do for her sport on and off-the-water. She’s raising the profile of women’s sport and what she’s done is incredible. I really look up to that.”

Meanwhile Tesch was recognised for her award after being instrumental in a Paralympic medal haul for NSWIS sailors.

Tesch combined with Daniel Fitzgibbon to win gold in the SKUD18 class, in the process becoming the first Paralympic sailors in history to defend their Paralympic title.

Tesch shared the aware with rugby player Ruan Sims. A full list of award winners is below.

The Women in Sport Award winners:

Hall of Fame – Layne Beachley AO, former professional surfer

Sportswoman of the Year – Kim Brennan, rowing

Moment of the Year – Chloe Esposito, pentathlon

Moment of the Year (Readers’ Choice) – Michelle Payne, horseracing

A-Team of the Year – Australian women’s sevens, rugby

Leadership Legend – Anna Meares, cycling

Fair Fighter – Liesl Tesch, Paralympic sailing and Ruan Sims, rugby

Local Heroine – Josie Janz-Dawson, netball

One to Watch – Ella Nelson, athletics

Person of Sporting Influence – Moya Dodd, FFA and FIFA official