Newcastle paratriathlete Lauren Parker has completed a double-double of awards after gaining the Sport NSW athlete of the year with a disability for a second time.
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Parker won back-to-back honours at the NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony at The Star in Sydney on Monday night, four days after winning the NSW Institute of Sport's Ian Thorpe outstanding achievement award for a second consecutive year.
In 2019, Parker won the world and oceania paratriathlon titles as she builds towards a first Paralympic campaign next year in 2020. She became a paraplegic in a cycling accident in April 2017.
"It's gone very quickly," Parker said on Monday night.
"A lot has happened in the last couple of years since my accident, but I've had amazing support and I've got an amazing team around me.
"I have amazing coaches, Dan Atkins and Andrew Dawes, who I have to thank.
"I'd like to give a big thank you to Triathlon NSW. They've been there helping me the last 18 months, but not only that, but for the last 12 years as an able-bodied athlete when I first started triathlon."
Parker was preparing for a big 2020, starting with her oceania championship defence in Newcastle.
"Next year will be pretty full on," she said.
"My racing season starts on Australia Day in my hometown of Newcastle but our first big goal of the year, though, will be in May, which will be the world championships in Milan.
"I hope to defend my world title at that event .. and then all eyes ahead looking to Tokyo 2020 in August."
Matildas great Cheryl Salisbury was another Novocastrian honoured on Monday night.
Salisbury was inducted into the NSW Hall of Champion along with Bradley Clyde (rugby league), John Holt (surf life saving), Lauren Jackson (basketball), Lisa Sthalekar (cricket) and Brent Livermore (hockey).
"Thank you so much for the induction into the NSW sporting hall of fame," Salisbury told the crowd via video message.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years and those who have nominated me as well.
"It definitely feels like a 10-year reunion. It's been about 10 years since I retired from the game."
The major prize winner on the night was cricketer Ellyse Perry. The all-rounder won athlete of the year, but wasn't at The Star to collect her prize after being ruled out of action for one to three weeks with a shoulder injury suffered on Sunday.
She beat a hot field which included swimmer Cate Campbell, tennis player Alex De Minaur and rugby league star James Tedesco.
Perry's prize was accepted in her absence by former Sydney Sixers and NSW Breakers teammate Sthalekar, who gave an insight into the work ethic which has propelled Perry into the upper echelons of her sport.
"She wouldn't be where she is without he father Mark Perry, who has thrown thousands upon thousands of cricket balls to her and still does," Sthalekar said.
"She has always been one of the hardest trainers, always willing to do extra gym sessions batting, bowling.
"She basically spends her whole life at the cricket centre, and enjoys it and she loves the era she is in right now, being a professional athlete being able to dedicate all of her time to the sport."
Sthalekar was one of six inductees into the NSW Hall of Champion along with Bradley Clyde (rugby league), John Holt (surf life saving), Cheryl Salisbury (football), Lauren Jackson (basketball) and Brent Livermore (hockey).
Former Australian cricket captain, journalist and broadcaster Richie Benaud was elevated to the status of legend.
Legendary cricketer Glenn McGrath became just the third person behind rugby league's Laurie Dalay and netball's Liz Ellis to be awarded the Waratah, which recognises an individual's leadership in sport, their passion for NSW sport and their desire to achieve broader community outcomes.
Women collected several of the major individual awards.
Paratriathlon world champion Lauren Parker clinched back-to-back crowns for athlete of the year with a disability, indoor skydiver Amy Watson won young athlete of the year and Super Netball champions the NSW Swifts were named team of the year.
Simon Cusack, won coach of the year for his work with swimming's Campbell sisters.