2011 Graduation & Presentation Night
The Tobin Family Award recognises the Illawarra Academy of Sport’s, Athlete of the Year.
2011 is the tenth year the award has been presented.
The Award acknowledges excellence in athlete performance in the scholarship year. It is selected from athletes across the 9 Academy sport programs.
The Award is named in recognition of the contribution, over many years, made by the Tobin Family to sport in the Illawarra and specifically the Illawarra Academy of Sport.
The recipient of the Award will receive a trophy and a $5,000.00 scholarship to assist their further development in sport.
In 2002, the Inaugural Tobin Family Award was presented to Cyclist Rebecca Borgo. Rebecca used the $5,000 scholarship to assist her passage to attend the World Junior Track Cycling Championships in Moscow. She defied all odds winning gold in the kierin event and came home a World Junior Champion.
Past recipients have also included: Rebecca Borgo (2002, Cycling), Anita Cowley (2003, Kayaking), Kieran Govers (2004, Hockey), Amiel Cavelier (2005, Mountain Bike Racing), Sally Fitzgibbons (2006 & 2007, Surfing), Ryan Gregson (2008, athletics), Jackson Law (2009, cycling) and Emma McKeon (2010 Swimming).
Sarah Carli – Winner of Tobin Family Award 2011
Sarah had a sensational year in 2011. Sarah won a number of state and national titles, culminating with her silver medal at the World Youth Championships in July in France. Despite running in lane 8, Sarah ran her own race and after turning into the home straight in fourth place, she unleashed a devastating final sprint to almost grab the leader right on the post.
Amongst her wins last year, Sarah set a new meet record last October at the NSW All Schools championships. There not only did she win her 400m hurdles race, but she also beat the record held by former dual World 400m hurdles champion, Jana Pitman.
Sarah always gives her best, whether it’s on the track or at training. She is well liked by her peers. At education sessions she is always keen to participate and is regularly observed asking questions of the presenter. Sarah is a very strong supporter of her local club and is regularly seen wearing club clothing. She has been a keen supporter of the Academy, as was shown by her willingness to represent the Illawarra Academy of Sport at a Parliament function with all the other regional Academies of Sport.
SPORT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Cricket Athlete of the Year – Daniel Constable
Daniel was easy to coach. He has a great willingness to listen, learn and put into practice the skills he acquired throughout the program. Daniel participated with great enthusiasm in both skill based and educational sessions
On the tour to Murwillumbah Daniel was the most successful Academy batsmen in a rain affected tour playing a mature innings guiding the Academy to a respectable total after losing early wickets. Still eligible to play in the under 15's Daniel was selected to play in the Illawarra U/17's at the annual U/17 country carnival in Dubbo.
Also at the tender age of 15 Daniel was selected to play 1st grade for his home club Keira in the local Illawarra competition. Daniel is currently in 3rd place in the batting averages in the combined Illawarra / South Coast under 16 competitions.
Cycling Athlete of the Year – Bridget Mullany
2011 saw Bridget take home 5 National medals and 15 state level medals. For the second year running she has taken out the NSW under 15 cyclist of the year award.
Bridget is an intelligent rider with a strong will to win. She attends all the sessions and takes on board all the instructions that the coaching staff pass on to her.
Bridget has a dry sense of humour and gets on well with her team mates and is well liked by her colleagues. She is hoping to compete in the Junior World Championships 2013, then the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and eventually the Olympic Games by 2020.
Golf Athlete of the Year – Travis Smyth
Travis has been a solid performer throughout his scholarship. During the 2011 scholarship year, he was consistently near the top of the leader board in his age group.
In 2011, Travis won the Junior Sydney Pennants, Port Kembla Club Championships and Wollongong Diocese Sports Council Blue Award. He was also the only player to win all of his A Grade Junior Sydney Pennants matches.
In addition to Travis’ match play success, he was also selected for the Jack Newton Match Play Championships, NSW All School CCS Team, NSW Team and NSW Country Championships.
Travis is a keen and motivated golfer who is eager to do well. At education sessions he showed a willingness in wanting to improve and learn more. He hopes to one day become a pro golfer and compete on the PGA tour.
Female Hockey player of the Year – Tegan Richards
In 2011 we saw Tegan compete at the highest age group level in Australia, competing in the Australian U18 and U21 Championships for NSW. Through this Tegan was identified, gaining selection as one of the youngest members of the Australian U21 SIS/AS Team and was selected in the Australian Futures Squad, making her a targeted player for future Hockeyroo’s selection.
Tegan is a keen, highly focused competitor who works hard during team and personal training to improve her game.
Throughout her three years in the academy we have seen Tegan go from strength to strength. During her final year she has not only been extremely successful in her hockey, but has also proven to be an excellent role model for the younger players in the squad.
Male Hockey player of the Year – Blake Govers
Blake competes at an exceptional level for someone of his age, being selected in NSW and Australian squads and teams with players up to 6 years his senior.
During this year Blake competed for NSW at the U15 National Championships where he was named both as the player of the tournament and the highest goal scorer; scoring an amazing 29 goals in just 7 games! Blake also competes in Indoor Hockey. This year he was the highest goal scorer at three separate National Championships; U15, U18 and U21’s. He was also named as the player of tournament at the U15 championships.
Blake’s selection as one of the youngest players in the Australian Futures Squad makes him a targeted player for future Kookaburra’s selection. Recently Blake has also been offered a full NSWIS Hockey scholarship. He is the youngest person ever to be on a full scholarship for hockey.
Blake’s achievements are amazing for someone of his age. He is an exciting player who works hard to achieve his goals.
Individual Athlete of the Year – Abbie Taddeo
Abbie had a great year in 2011, which saw her gain selection in the Australian Junior Team to compete at the Youth Commonwealth Games that were held at Isle of Man. There she won a silver medal in the 100m hurdles and then a bronze in the 4 x 100m relay.
Abbie is a bright and energetic young woman, who is focused on achieving her goals. She trains hard and is quick to recognise the value of sponsors and supporters.
Lawn Bowls Athlete of the Year – Sean Mawdsley
In 2011 Sean had a great year in his last year as a junior. With outstanding performances at Zone, State and National level, he will remember 2011 as his year. Sean won the Zone 16 junior singles, pairs and fours and then had an outstanding week in the NSW State Junior Championships winning both the State Junior Pairs and the Fours titles. At the Australian Junior Championships, Sean represented NSW in the Singles and Pairs and collected gold medals in both.
At the end of the year, Sean became the first Under 18 player in many years to gain selection in the Country Tour team. Sean is polite, well liked and respected. He shows up for all the training and education sessions and is eager to learn.
Netball Athlete of the Year – Annabel Bretag
Annabel is an exceptional player who is a positive role model and natural leader to all members of the squad.
She continually strives for improvement and is recognised as a tough opponent.
Annabel has trailed for State and while not making the final team has drawn attention of selectors for her strong presence on the court.
She has been an excellent ambassador for netball, at both local and state level.
Rugby Union Athlete of the Year – Colby Hawkins-Boyd
The 2011 Rugby Program was Colby's second year as a scholarship holder. Having won this award last year, Colby has not let up with his efforts but only increased his work rate and dedication.
His dedication and hard work paid off during the 2011 season as he was selected once again for both the Illawarra and NSW Country Representative teams. Colby was also awarded a scholarship to attend The Scots College in Sydney, where he was selected to play for the NSW Schools team at the Under 16's National Championships.
Colby has also been identified as a talented player by the Australian Rugby Union High Performance Unit and has been placed in the Pathway to Gold program.
This program will also increase Colby's skill level and hopefully allow him to achieve his goal of playing at the Super Rugby level.
Tennis Athlete of the Year – Stella Crick
Stella is a very keen and energetic player. She is always willing to listen and take on advice.
Stella has taken all the opportunities that the Academy has had to offer her. She rarely missed a session last year and when she did she was keen to attend another session with one of the other squads so she didn’t miss out on the opportunity.
In 2011 Stella travelled all around Australia, from Glenorchy in Tasmania to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. She took her Australian ranking down from 161 in January to 110 in December.
