December Monthly Award Winners
January 19, 2017
The Senior Monthly Award Winner for December is Ricky Garard for Cross Fit. A quick perusal of the statistics on CrossFit.com proves that Ricky Garardmis moving up and moving quickly in the CrossFit world. Ranked 8361st in the world in 2012, then 722nd in 2015, we can only imagine what his 2016 ranking will be after his fantastic results this year. In December, Ricky topped off a very busy year by competing at the Dubai Fitness Championships. Though this was the biggest CrossFit competition of his career and, he was the only Australian to qualify, he had set himself a goal of finishing in the top 5. After four gruelling days spent lifting, running, climbing, swimming and riding, Ricky placed 4th out of 37 competitors. He now has his sights set on qualifying for the World CrossFit games.
The Junior Monthly Award Winner for December is Dominic O'Shannessy for Cricket. It’s certainly been an interesting summer of Cricket for Australia and we have our own highlights in the Southern Highlands with the talented school and club representative teams showcasing their skills. Dominic O’Shannessy, has been relishing each and every opportunity. On the 4th and 5th December, Dominic played in trial games as a member of the NSW Combined Independent School (CIS) Cricket team at the NSW All Schools event. His talent as an All Rounder cemented his selection in U15 NSW All Schools Squad which will play at the National Championships in Brisbane in March. Dominic was also selected in the Southern/ACT Zone team to contest the Bradman Cup Team. Though only heading into Year 9, Dominic plays with the Chevalier College 1st XI team and also for the 1st grade East Bowral Blues.
November Monthly Award Winners
December 18, 2016
The Senior Monthly Award Winner for November is Henry Yuille for Rugby 7s. The Senior Monthly Award Winner for November is Henry Yuille. During the 2016 Rugby season, while playing for 1st grade Bowral Blacks, Henry was invited to trial for the NSW Waratahs 7s team. He spent between September and November impressing the selectors, was successful in making the team and played against the Brumbies for the Waratahs in the 7s Festival at Eridge Park. Henry shares his passion for sport and fitness as a personal trainer with The Shed in Bowral.
The Junior Monthly Award Winner for November is Brielle Powell for Equestrian. The quality time that Brielle spent with her beloved horse Tommy in November saw her announced as the Berrima District Sports Awards Monthly Junior Winner. On the 6th November, Brielle competed in the NSW Pony Club Zone 10 Jamboree. Zone 10 encompasses all pony clubs from Bundanoon to Camden and Brielle won the 13-15 years Age Champion. The next weekend, Brielle headed off to the Area One Show jumping as part of a team from the Berrima District Pony Club. Area One stretches from the far south coast, west to Canberra and Goulburn and north to Camden and the team came away with a first and a third. To complete the month of achievements, Brielle competed at the Tulip Time Gymkhana on the 28th November. Competing against over 100 riders, with 20 in her age group alone, Brielle won the U13 - 15 champion rider, the overall age champion 13-15 years and, as she achieved the highest point of the day, she took home Champion of Champions. While not riding, Brielle attends Chevalier College and has just completed Year 7.
October Monthly Award Winners
November 26, 2016
The Senior Monthly Award Winner for October is Cedric Hely for Athletics. Cedric Hely is a Year 12 student at Oxley College and he competed at the NSW All Schools Track and Field Championships in October. Though Cedric’s passion is for the throwing events, he has recently branched out into the world of hurdles. Cedric placed 6th in the 17 year boys javelin and 10th in the17 year boys 110m hurdles. He also currently captains the Oxley College 1sts Basketball team, plays water polo for Oxley College and gives his time coaching and mentoring junior students.
The Junior Monthly Award Winner for October is Alice Hamlen for Athletics. To say the October Junior winner has fallen, literally, in love with her sport is an understatement. A little over a year ago, Alice Hamlen joined Bowral Little Athletics. Though she has embraced and excelled at all aspects of Athletics, she was nominated in October for her achievement in the pole vault event. Alice competed in the NSW All Schools Track and Field Championships from the 13th – 16th October. The event was run as an open event so at just 13 years of age, Alice was competing against girls aged from 13 to 19. With a personal best jump of 2.3 metres, she finished 5th overall but won the gold medal for her age group. At the same meet, Alice competed in the 80m hurdles and finished 7th in the state. As her goal is to excel as a Heptathlete, she also decided to gain experience at the NSW All Schools championships by entering the under 16 years Heptathlon. Alice’s 5th place in the 90m hurdles, 4th place in the javelin and personal bests in the 200m, 800m and long jump saw her achieve 9th place overall. Alice, who is in Year 7 at Chevalier College, was due to compete in the pole vault event at the National All Schools carnival in December but unfortunately broke her ankle training for the hurdles. Though this is a massive disappointment, her drive and passion will ensure that she is back training and competing in 2017.
September Monthly Award Winners
October 25, 2016
The Senior Monthly Award Winners for September are Matt Thorpe and Nick Eccleston - both for Rugby League. The recent Rugby League presentations shone a light on the incredible home grown talent we have in the Highlands so much so that the Berrima District Sports Awards Senior Award for September went to two Rugby League Players. Matt Thorpe was awarded the Group 6 First Grade Player of the Year by the narrowest of margins. Referees vote after each game and Thorpe received 17 votes with four contenders all on 16 votes. Fellow Mittagong Club player Nick Eccelston was the co-winner. Nick’s season included U18 Group 6 and Country Redbacks representation, playing at the NSW All Schools tournament with the NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS) team and, in September, being awarded the Rising Star Award at the Group 6 Rugby League Awards.
The Junior Monthly Award Winner for September is Braden Egan for Football. September was a busy month for 13 year old Braden. He was selected to play in the NSW Country Football Team to play at the National Championships in Coffs Harbour. Braden plays in the National Premier League and trains and plays up to five times a week. As a student at Southern Highlands Christian School, he also represented the Christian School Sports Association at the NSWCIS Athletics Carnival for High Jump where he won the event jumping a height of 1.78m.
August Monthly Award Winners
September 25, 2016
The Junior Monthly Award winner for August is Kiara Rochaix. If Football wasn’t Kiara’s chosen sport then it would surely be marathon running as the road to Kiara’s success has been a long one. The journey began last year when Kiara and friends convinced the Oxley College sport department to introduce Girls Football to the winter sport options. She worked tirelessly to help her fellow team mates learn the skills of their new sport and develop their teamwork to the point that they won the grand final in their first season. This season they moved up two divisions and also made the grand final.Now Oxley College had a Girls Football team, Kiara was able to try out for the ISA (Independent Sports Association) team. Kiara made the ISA team both this year and last year and this year went on to make the NSWCIS (Combined Independent Schools) team and then the NSW All Schools team.
Kiara travelled to Perth in August to play in the Australian Championships and as a result of her brilliant skills, teamwork and commitment made the Australian School Girls Football team. This is an exceptional achievement considering that Kiara is only in Year 10. The team will tour the UK in January 2017. Kiara also plays in the U17 Premier League 1 competition with the Macarthur Rams.
The Senior Monthly Award winner for August is Nick Riches. Nick was announced as Athlete of the Year at the recent NSW Cerebral Palsy Sport and Recreation Awards night. This honour came in recognition of his success across many sports.Nick represented NSW at the disabled rugby league event- the NSW All Starts v Indigenous All Stars and has been selected to play in the inaugural Country v Country Disabled Rugby League game when Australia takes on New Zealand in 2017. At the World Cerebral Palsy Games in England, Nick won bronze and silver medals in tae kwon do, a bronze in the long jump and was awarded a Spirit of the Games award.
As Nick is also the Australian Judo Union’s National Special Needs Judo Champion it is not hard to see why he was awarded the top CPSRA honour.
July Monthly Award Winners
September 5, 2016
The Junior Monthly Award winner for July is Maddie Barton. Maddie gained selection in the NSW U15 State Hockey Squad at the State Championships in July where she was representing the Southern Highlands. Maddie plays for the Robertson Hockey Club in the U15 and 1st grade teams and played for the Chevalier Junior A team that recently won the ISA competition. She heads to Newcastle in December for an intensive weekend training camp and then embarks on weekly clinic sessions. After the squad plays in tournaments in January and February, the team will be announced and the BDSA community wishes her every success.
The August Berrima District Sports Awards meeting saw many deserving nominations for the July Monthly Award. Rarely are votes locked, but in the case of the Senior Award, that was the result. The co-winners are Daniel Rumsey and Jed Schofield.Daniel competed in the 8th Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships held in Florence from 18th – 22nd July. Over the duration of the competition, Daniel competed in 22 events bringing home three gold and two silver medals in individual events. He broke the 100m and 200m breaststroke records. Daniel was also was a member of four gold medal winning relay teams which broke the four relay records. He is a great team member receiving praise from the team manager and coaches for his friendliness and sportsmanship.
Daniel’s co-winner is Jed Schofield. Jed was selected in Hockey Australia’s Open Men’s Country team which will travel to Hong Kong and March in 2017. His journey began at the Open Men’s State Championship where he played with the Southern Highlands team and was selected to represent NSW Country. Jed travelled to Darwin in July where he showed great versatility and skill resulting in his Australian selection. Jed’s positive, dedicated and encouraging attitude makes him an asset to any team
June Monthly Award Winners
August 8, 2016
June was a very busy month for local athlete Oscar Moran who was selected as the Berrima District Sports Awards Junior Monthly winner. Oscar who plays U17 for the Bowral Blacks in the Illawarra Rugby Union competition, was selected in the Illawarra U16 representative team to compete at the Country Championships in Scone. Due to an outstanding performance he was announced as Man of the Match at these championships and selected in the U16 NSW Country squad which compete at the Regional Championships. Due to another strong performance he made the U16 NSW Country team which will play in the City v Country match and then tour New Zealand. Oscar is also a member of the Oxley College U16 team and the 1st XV team in the ISA competition. He is the ultimate team player who trains and plays hard for his team.
The Senior June Monthly Award winner is Diann Benson. During June, Diann competed at the International Field Archery Association (IFFA) Championships in Mudgee. The three day event held over the long weekend incorporated shooting distances out to 80 yards. Competing in the Ladies Freestyle UnLimited A Class, Diann came first in the Field round and second in the Hunter round. On the final day, she placed first in the Animal round shooting a score of 552 out of 560. To top off a successful weekend, Diann’s combined score of 1550 secured her the title of Australian Champion. Diann is now training with her husband, Grahame, for their next event, which is the World IFAA Championship to be held in Wagga Wagga at the end of September.
May Monthly Award Winners
July 9, 2016
Jack Howard is the BDSA Junior Monthly Award winner for May. Jack attended the NSW Combined Independent School’s (CIS) Rugby League Camp where he was selected as a shadow player of a 20 member squad to play at the Australian Schoolboys Rugby League Championships. He is one of the growing number of local juniors who gives back to their sport by refereeing junior games.Jack also plays Hockey for Bowral Hockey Club on the field in the Division B men’s team and as goalie for the men’s Division A team. He was also selected as the goalie for the Southern Highlands U15 Representative team who played at the State Championships in May.
Sue Hearn is the Senior Award winner for May. Sue boosted her chances of Olympic representation as one of the seven Australian Dressage riders to contest the first of two nomination events for the Olympics.Competing in Europe, Sue and her horse Remmington scored an impressive 68.82. At the end of the first round she is positioned second on the ranking list and must remain in the top four to make the team for Brazil. With her enthusiasm and determination Sue Hearn is well on track.
April Monthly Award Winners
July 9, 2016
The Junior Sports Person of the Month is Georgia Genner. During April, Georgia played as a member of the South West Sydney Academy of Sport Basketball team in the 2016 NSW Clubs Academy Games. Georgia secured a spot in the Academy late last year and started 2016 as a member of the NSW Country team. Georgia plays in the Division 1 U14 Illawarra Hawks team and her commitment and enthusiasm is an inspiration.
Grace Fairall is the Senior Sports Person of the Month. She was selected in the Australian Acrobatic Gymnastics team as one of 50 Australians to compete at the World Championships in China at the beginning of April. Grace, with her partner Jessica Adams, represented Australia in the pairs event and competed in the Junior section for 12 – 18 year olds. 15 countries were in contention and Grace and her partner reached the finals and places 9th. Grace’s long hours of training and her dedication to excellence are to be congratulated.
Congratulations to our March Winners!
July 9, 2016
One of the dual winners of the Junior Monthly Award for March is Cameron Butcher for Mountain Biking. Cameron had a very busy month culminating in finishing second in the Year 9/10 division of the Australian Mountain Bike Championships. This assisted his team to place third overall. He was also part of the runner-up team in the local division B water polo competition. Cameron was runner-up age champion at the Chevalier College Swimming Carnival and competed for the college at the All School Triathlon Championships.
Jessica Gacki-O’Sullivan won the Junior Award with Cameron for her equestrian pursuits. She competed at the Royal Easter Show on a borrowed horse and, despite the lack of time to get to know each other, horse and rider united and Jessica became the Senior Girl Champion.
Sam Tait is the Senior Monthly Award winner for March. Cross Fit is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and Cross fit competitors complete a variety of fitness tests using constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. Sam has the added challenge of doing this from a wheelchair and in March Sam came 6th in the World wide WheelWOD Cross Fit Championship.
Congratulations to our February Winners!
July 9, 2016
The Junior Monthly Award Winner for February is Phoebe Johnson for Basketball. She was selected to represent her country in the Australian Country Cup U/16 girls’ team in a tour to compete against New Zealand teams.
The Senior Monthly Award Winner for February is Lauren Cheatle. Lauren has already come to our attention with her fantastic performances at the women’s big bash league as part of the winning team. As an extension of this high level performance, Lauren has been selected to play in the Australian women’s T20 side to play against the New Zealand and Indian sides.
January Monthly Award Winners
July 9, 2016
The Junior Monthly Award Winner for January is Trent Woods for Cricket. To carry the burden of leading a team at any age can be hard, but Trent showed just what it takes to be a great leader in the Bradman letter competition played at Cootamundra. Although the Cootamundra team batted first, Trent and his team mates took the fight to them promptly and dismissed Cootamundra for a low total. Trent finished the match with an impressive 5 wickets for 6 runs from six overs.
The Senior Monthly Award Winner for January is Caleb Ewan for Cycling. He started the year in stellar form by winning not one but three events in this month alone. Caleb started with wins in the Michelton Bay Cycling Classic in Victoria, the elite men’s criterium twilight race and the People’s Choice Classic race held in Adelaide.
BDSA Presentation Night
July 9, 2016
The 2016 BDSA Awards was held in February to officially celebrate the success of the district’s most outstanding sportswomen, sportsmen and sporting teams. Each of the monthly junior and senior award winners were recognised prior to the announcement of the major awards. Tirian McManus took home the Senior award for cycling while Ellie Jordon was announced as the Junior winner for fencing.Moss Vale Basketball Association's Margaret Beaumont was awarded the Alex MacLean Award for Club Person of the Year.
The Bowral junior rugby league under-14Bs were awarded BDSA junior team of the year while the senior award went to the Bowral Women's Bowling Club's grade four pennant side. The honour of school team of the year went to the Gib Gate School snow sports team. ,br>Both the Moss Vale Magic men's youth league basketball team and the Southern Highlands under-15 Indoor Hockey team were recognised as State Champions.
Lyle Scofield presented a moving tribute to the late Keith Williams who was remembered as an outstanding committee chairman for 30 years.
