The VIATEK Central Coast Academy of Sport Awards Night undertook a major facelift in 2017 and the event was another to cherish. The focus certainly moved from the very corporate-focused event to one where Team Challenge Australia engaged the Academy Athletes in a series of outdoor challenges before the presentation of awards in the Mingara Recreation Club Showroom. Following the presentation of awards, all attendees were invited to mingle and celebrate with the Academy who hosted a Christmas celebration for those able to stay and enjoy the hospitality of the organisation.
Andrew McNee the Events Manger at the Central Coast Academy of Sport said of the afternoon and evening; “The event has undertaken a major facelift form what was presented last year, we wanted to make sure the awards event was much athlete focused, still with the opportunity to present certificates and awards and recognise the outstanding talent we have on the Central Coast. We then wanted to finish with a Christmas celebration where we can engage with parents, athletes our corporate partners and hear in an informal setting the goals and aspirations of the athletes we represent. So, in effect we delivered three events in the one, not easy, but we certainly think we have a foundation from which to build.”
Ian Robilliard the Managing Director of the Academy said in his opening address: “The greatest highlight and the main reason that we are here is to thank our scholarship athletes and their families for their efforts over the course of their respective sports programs. The Teams Challenge Australia crew mentioned the Academy how athletes were exceptionally polite, respectful and enthusiastic which is a delight to hear. All our athletes continue to represent the Academy and the Central Coast region with distinction and for this, on behalf of the Board and staff, we say a very big thank you to each and every one of you. I can also confirm the Central Coast Academy of Sport is a major contributor for this region. Numbers from an independent report provide evidence that last year we delivered $4.8 million dollars in value to the Social and Economic well-being of the region, our volunteer hours contribute conservatively $240,000 annually to our region, and we have helped build fifteen jobs, not bad results for a vibrant organisation who has helped well over 3,500 scholarships since our inception in 2004.”
The major award winners were as follows:
Major Awards
Male Athlete of the Year: Tyler Gunn
Female Athlete of the Year: Brooklyn O’Mara
Chairman’s Award: Cassandra Van Breugel
The Ray Sandell Dedication to Sporting Excellence: Sandra English
Male Athlete of the Year: Tyler Gunn (Athletics)
At 17 Tyler has had a challenging athletics career. Tyler suffered a number of injuries earlier in his athletics career, his injuries had restricted his earlier performances. This year we have seen Tyler focus on improving his strength, fitness, flexibility and more importantly all technical aspects of his running. Tyler’s dedication and the great support he receives from his family and Coaches, in particular Frank Overton, has seen Tyler progress to a very high level within his chosen discipline, the 400m sprint. In 2017, Tyler has won the NSW State u20 400m tittle with a time of 47.77, Tyler was 2nd in the Australian National U20 400m final with a great time of 47.48s and 2nd in the NSW State Open men’s 400m final with a time of 47.87, he then finished his season off with a very credible 8th in the Open Men’s Australia National Championships 400m final. Tyler has been a role model to his fellow Central Coast Academy athletes and has been very inspiring for the Academy coaches who have assisted him. Tyler’s immediate goal is to for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and World Junior Championships.
Female Athlete of the Year: Brooklyn O’Mara (Netball)
Brooklyn O’Mara is a member of a highly talented squad of netballers, undefeated in the 2017 ClubsNSW Academy Games this was a first for the Central Coast Netball program and Brooklyn was a key contributor of this success. Brooklyn is exceptionally talented player, she has the work ethic to back up her exceptional talent. Brooklyn has many of those important ingredients that set athletes apart, she is hard working, committed and leads by example. Her coaches have often commented on her willingness to take on feedback, how she encourages her team mates and how she outworks opponents during games, that give everything you have to win is how Brooklyn approached trainings and games.
Chairman’s Award: Cassandra Van Breugel (Swimming)
The Chairman’s Award is to recognise an athlete who upholds the principles of the organisation and elements such as fair play, sportsmanship, consideration of fellow teammates, determination and enthusiasm. Cassandra Van Bruegel is a most worthy winner of the Chairman’s award. Her commitment and success in Swimming is quite remarkable. A finalist in the 50m, 100m and 200m at the 2017 Australian Championship which ranks her 6th in Australia in breaststroke is testament of her ability. Cassandra is the current NSW State Champion in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke and she holds each NSW record is this troika of event. A gold medallist in the Australian University Games where she won in the 100m representing the University of Newcastle where she is studying nursing. Graeme Carroll the Head Coach of the Swimming Program said of Cassandra’s commitment to the program: “she is an amazing young lady, an excellent competitor and a young person who strives to do her absolute best, this award is very very deserving and I offer my heartfelt congratulations.”
The Ray Sandell Dedication to Sporting Excellence: Sandra English (Surfing)
The name Sandra English is a household one when it comes to surfing and surfing championships. A winner of some 13 National Championships and a representative at 4 world championships Sandra English has devoted almost a lifetime to her chosen sport. What’s remarkable is she is as well versed as a surfing coach as she is as a highly successful competitor. Her commitment to the CCAS surfing program has guaranteed it’s success and her philosophy when it comes to coaching mirrors the very values that the CCAS promotes, safe, fun and enjoyment are qualities that she preaches to those under her care and guidance. The CCAS surfing program is successful due to work and effort Sandy has and continues to make.
Athletics
Athletics Athlete of the Year: Tyler Gunn
Athletics Encouragement Award: Katie Gunn
Basketball
Basketball Athlete of the Year: Jamal Shoaib
Basketball Encouragement Awards: Boston Pate, Hudson Bush
Cycling
Cycling Athlete of the Year: Liliya Tatarinoff
Cycling Encouragement Award: Tom Yallouris
Future Stars
Future Stars Athlete of the Year: Hayden Dillion
Future Stars Encouragement Award: Isabella Fitzgibbon
Golf
Golf Athlete of the Year: Liam Gocher
Golf Encouragement Award: Riley Myers
Netball
Netball Athlete of the Year: Brooklyn O’Mara
Netball Encouragement Award: Charlotte Flynn
Surfing
Surfing Athlete of the Year: Joel Vaughan
Surfing Encouragement Award: Molly Picklum
Swimming
Swimming Athlete of the Year: Nathan Ward
Swimming Encouragement Award: Fergus Henderson, Jessica Pollard
Touch Football
Touch Football Athlete of the Year: Cody Frost
Touch Football Encouragement Award: Kaya Ardita, Brooke Goodhand
Tenpin Bowling
Tenpin Bowling Athlete of the Year: Damon Lloyd
Tenpin Bowling Encouragement Award: Cameron Johnson
Location
Mingara Recreation Club
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