Honouring program stars
BEST AND FAIREST: HAS award recipients.
The Hunter Academy of Sport celebrated its 2018/19 athlete cohort with a presentation night at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club on Thursday, September 19 with close to 100 guests in attendance.
The night, hosted by HAS board member Ross Allen, brought together recently named 'Best & Fairest' athletes and their families across 13 of the Academy's programs, corporate sponsors, life members and board members to celebrate these talented athletes' achievements throughout the year.
Joshua Banks (Softball) was named the 2018/19 Athlete of the Year. Josh was part of the NSW U/17 side this year and was picked for the Australian U/17 side that competed in the U/23 National Championships.
He was also in the NSW All Schools side and was named in the All Australian Open School Boys Team. He is currently in training with the aim to be selected in the Australian Junior Steelers side for the 2020 Junior Men's World Championships.
Best & Fairest
AFL Development: London Ashcroft and Blake Dunn; AFL Talent: Raegan Dunn and Tahlia Thompson; Basketball: Hannah Nimmo and Wil Morgan; Cycling: Noah Mason; Golf: Ella Scaysbrook and Brij Ingrey; Hockey: Emma Hayes, Bradley Fletcher and Benjamin Martin; Lawn Bowls: Kate Matthews; Netball: Maddison Mueller and Georgie Elder; Netball Umpires: Sarah Hayes and Ella Taylor; Softball: Alyssa Charter-Smith and Michael Owen; Surfing: Dominic Thomas; Tennis: Alexa Page; Triathlon: Emily Fortunaso-Klocker and Rohan Barnes.
Coaching Awards
Manager of the Year: Craig Golledge (AFL); Greater Bank Volunteer Coach of the Year: Ben Brown (Hockey).
Perpetual Awards
Outstanding Female in a Team Sport: Asha Turner-Funk (AFL Talent) and Grace Wrixon (Softball); Outstanding Male in a Team Sport: Joshua Banks (Softball); Outstanding Female in an Individual Sport: Kate Matthews (Lawn Bowls); Outstanding Male in an Individual Sport: Lleyton Richard (Tennis).
Alongside celebrating these athlete and coach achievements, Chairman of the Academy Ted Aitchison OAM welcomed former NBN News Sport Reporter Mike Rabbit as a life member, after his continued support and generosity to the Academy throughout the past 30 years.
The Hunter Academy of Sport expresses its apprectiation and thanks to the Office of Sport, your local club, University of Newcastle and Greater Bank, as well as all the state and national sporting organisations and program sponsors for their continued support during the 2018/2019 season.
