Surf Life Saving NSW will be well represented at the 2022 NSW Sports Awards on November 28, with volunteers set to contest three major categories at the NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony in Darling Harbour.
Jackie Bower of Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest SLSC, Hannah Minogue of Bulli SLSC and the Beach Relay team from North Cronulla SLSC have been named as finalists in the Administrator of the Year, Masters Athlete of the Year, and Team of the Year categories, respectively.
Each of these surf lifesavers were recipients at the SLSNSW Awards of Excellence in August.
SLSNSW CEO, Steve Pearce said it was fantastic recognition for a group of very dedicated and talented lifesavers.
“We love to see our members recognised in all facets of their volunteering roles, and that extends into the sporting arena,” he said.
“Jackie, Hannah, and the super-fast North Cronulla Open Beach Relay Team have all excelled throughout the most recent Surf Life Saving season and we’re proud that their achievements could be acknowledged not only among their peers, but now in front of the whole of NSW.
“Surf lifesavers all throw support behind their own so I have no doubt there will be 76,000 plus members across the state willing them to victory in each of their categories.”
Coming off a strong campaign at the Aussies, where she won gold in both her Masters single ski and the double ski, and then backed up with four Opens finals, Hannah contests the Masters Athlete of the Year award alongside former Australian tennis player, Wayne Pascoe and Australian Ambassador to the 2019 FINA World Masters Championships, Tony Goodwin.
The North Cronulla Open Women’s Beach Relay Team, made up of Lucy Flanagan, Emily Rampoldi, Leah Rampoldi and Alexandra Rampoldi, achieved sporting excellence by winning gold at The Aussies.
They’re only the second ever open women’s beach relay team to go back-to-back at the Aussies.
The girls line up in arguably the most stacked category, though, competing with the likes of the Women’s NSW State of Origin team, the Sydney Kings basketball franchise and NRL powerhouse, Penrith Panthers for the crown.
Jackie Bower’s Administrator of the Year nomination comes on the back of a season where, following the resignation of the Club President, she took on this role in addition to her primary club duties as Secretary.
Sport NSW Chairperson, Carolyn Campbell, congratulated all finalists, saying they performed outstandingly and made an immense contribution to their sport.
“These worthy finalists have excelled at the highest levels, and we congratulate them on their magnificent achievements over the past 12 months. This year’s finalists in each category demonstrated the tremendous depth of talent in NSW sport,” she said.
“Sport in NSW is blessed to produce so many exceptional athletes, coaches, administrators, and officials. This is a credit to their brilliant individual efforts, but also to the teams of dedicated and unselfish support staff, family, and friends who, behind the scenes, made such an immense contribution.”
Wednesday 16 November 2022