NSWIS awards finalists announced

Swimming star James Magnussen and slalom canoeist Jessica Fox will headline a stunning list of sporting achievers to be recognised at next month’s annual New South Wales Institute of Sport Awards.

Both Magnussen and Fox won silver medals at last year’s Olympics before parlaying their efforts into world championship gold in 2013 to begin their campaigns for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on the right foot.

The pair were joined in the nominations by a host of Winter Sport athletes who are preparing for their own shot at Olympic glory next year in Sochi, Russia with reigning Olympic champion Torah Bright, two-time world champ Alex Pullin and Holly Crawford all up for awards.

The awards night, to be held at the Australian Turf Club, Randwick on Thursday November 21, and to be hosted by NSWIS Deputy Chairman Alan Jones AO, is considered the state’s premier annual sports awards and recognises achievement in 12 categories including academic excellence, career development, team and individual performances.

Fox earned rave reviews for her performances at the 2013 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships as she came away with gold in the women’s C1, before teaming with fellow NSWIS athletes Rosalyn Lawrence and Alison Borrows in the women’s C1 team event.

Along with her senior world championship gold, Fox won gold in the women’s C1 at the 2013 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior/U23 World Championships to completely dominate the world in the non-Olympic class, before adding bronze in the women’s C1 team event. She also won two World Cup rounds in the Olympic K1 class.

The 19-year-old, who experienced a history making nomination period in the sporting arena that was highlighted by her two world championship gold medals, is nominated for three awards and said she was over the moon to be recognised.

“It’s a great honour! There are so many very talented athletes at the NSWIS who are worthy of these awards and I’m very excited to be nominated again,” Fox said. 
 
“The NSWIS has supported me since I was 14 with so many valuable services and this year was no different.

“The year after the Olympics was an opportunity for me to set myself the challenge of racing two classes again and while there is still much to work on in K1 I’m happy with my progression in both events and I’m looking forward to 2014.”

Others to be nominated for awards for outstanding performances in 2013 include London Paralympic gold medal winning swimmers Maddison Elliott and Matt Levy, junior rowing world champions Jessie Allen and Genevieve Horton and all time great wheelchair athlete turned coach Louise Sauvage.

Full list of awards and nominees;

Academic Excellence – General
Tom Craig (Hockey – Men); Toby Kane (AWD – Winter Sports); Jessica Fox (Canoe Slalom); Will Forsythe (Canoe Slalom); Alexandra Green (AWD – Cycling)

The University of Sydney Academic Excellence
Angela Ballard (Wheelchair Track & Road); James Nipperess (Track & Field); Nina Khoury (Hockey – Women); Nicholas Hough (Track & Field); Lavinia Chrystal (Winter Sports)

Career Development
Matthew Levy (AWD – Swimming); John Farrow (Winter Sports); Lea Barta (Water Polo  – Women); Blake Govers (Hockey – Men); Tyler Martin (Water Polo  – Men); Nick Taylor (Wheelchair Basketball)

Ian Thorpe OAM Outstanding Achievement
Scott Kneller (Winter Sports); John Farrow (Winter Sports); Holly Crawford (Winter Sports); Will Forsythe (Canoe Slalom); Sami Kennedy (Winter Sports)

Out & About Marketing and Media Junior Athlete of the Year
Maddison Elliott (AWD – Swimming); Jack Edwards (Cycling); Britteny Cox (Winter Sports); Jayde Appel (Water Polo – Women); Noemie Fox (Canoe Slalom); Genevieve Horton (Rowing); Jessie Allen (Rowing)

Mizuno Most Memorable Moment
Jessica Fox (Canoe Slalom); James Magnussen (Swimming); Alex Pullin (Winter Sports); Erik Horrie (Rowing); Kenneth To (Swimming)

Office of Communities, Sport and Recreation Regional Athlete of the Year
Emma McKeon (Swimming); Maddison Elliott (AWD – Swimming); Taylor Corry (AWD – Swimming); Britteny Cox (Winter Sports); Jarrod Poort (Swimming)

Samsung Electronics Australia Team Athlete of the Year
Jayde Appel (Water Polo – Women); Alex Lloyd & Spencer Turrin (Rowing); Matt Levy (AWD – Swimming); Kathryn Ross (Rowing); James Clark (Water Polo – Men); Jessie Allen & Genevieve Horton (Rowing)

Sydney Olympic Park Authority Program of the Year
Canoe Slalom; Athletes with a Disability; Rowing; Swimming; Winter Sports; Water Polo – Women

The Australian College of Physical Education Coach of the Year
Louise Sauvage (Wheelchair Track & Road); Adam Kable (Swimming); Ben Wordsworth (Winter Sports); Brant Best (Swimming); Peter Topalovic (Winter Sports); Angelo Basalo (AWD – Swimming)

Sydney City Toyota Female Athlete of the Year
Angela Ballard (Wheelchair Track & Road); Maddison Elliott (AWD – Swimming); Jessica Fox (Canoe Slalom); Emma McKeon (Swimming); Holly Crawford (Winter Sports); Torah Bright (Winter Sports); Kathryn Ross (Rowing)

ClubsNSW Male Athlete of the Year
Alex Pullin (Winter Sports); Erik Horrie (Rowing); Kenneth To (Swimming); Matthew Levy (AWD – Swimming); Robert Hurley (Swimming); Alex Lloyd (Rowing); James Magnussen (Swimming); Spencer Turrin (Rowing)