The Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) hosted its prestigious Viatek annual awards evening on Wednesday, 16th October, at McDonald Jones Stadium, recognizing outstanding achievements across a wide range of sports and disciplines. Athletes, coaches, and volunteers were celebrated for their hard work, dedication and success throughout the year.
The pinnacle of the evening was the Athlete of the Year Awards, with Matilda Percival from the Greater Bank Netball program taking home the title of Athlete of the Year for her outstanding performances. Dylan Molloy was named Para Athlete of the Year for his achievements in alpine skiing and athletics, while Lachlan Lawson from the Golf program was awarded the UAA Indigenous/Torres Strait Islander Athlete of the Year.
In addition to these athletes, key contributors to the Academy were honoured. Alyssa Frame (Softball) was awarded the Steadfast Athlete Leadership award for her leadership on and off the field. Sander Ganzevles (Swimming) received the Greater Bank Coach Leadership Award, recognizing his significant impact in coaching and mentoring young swimmers. Ian Hook (Baseball) was named Paul Trisley Administrator of the Year, while Dominique Squires (Netball) received the Greater Bank Volunteer Manager of the Year award for her dedicated service.
The evening also celebrated former board member Ted Atchison, who was inducted as a Life Member of the Academy for his long-standing contribution and commitment to the organization.
Full List of Award Winners:
- Athlete of the Year: Matilda Percival (Netball)
- Para Athlete of the Year: Dylan Molloy (Para – Alpine Skiing)
- UAA Indigenous/Torres Strait Islander Athlete Award: Lachlan Lawson (Golf)
- Steadfast Athlete Leadership Award: Alyssa Frame (Softball)
- Greater Bank Coach Leadership Award: Sander Ganzevles (Swimming)
- Paul Trisley Administrator of the Year: Ian Hook (Baseball)
- Greater Bank Volunteer Manager of the Year: Dominique Squires (Netball)
- Life Member Induction: Ted Atchison
Sport Awards:
- Aussie Rules: Hannah Peterson (Athlete of the Year), Oscar Schneeweiss (Rising Star)
- Athletics: Ava Ross (Athlete of the Year), Ashlyn Wall and Riley Booth (Rising Stars)
- Baseball: Riley Watson (Athlete of the Year), Liam Gardner (Rising Star)
- Basketball: William Dobbins and Hayley De Friskbom (Athletes of the Year), Koby Gawthorn and Laila Macdougall (Rising Stars)
- Cycling: Hayley Dell (Athlete of the Year), Boston Gillanders and Ruby Sauvage (Rising Stars)
- Future Stars: Kensington Steele (Athlete of the Year)
- Golf: Lachlan Lawson (Athlete of the Year), Oliver Thomas (Rising Star)
- High Performance: Ella Scaysbrook and Dylan Molloy (Athletes of the Year)
- UAA Hockey: Toby Allan (Rising Star), Emma Blume (Rising Star)
- UAA Indigenous Program: Grace Seiver (Rising Star)
- Sprint Kayak: Bronte Kippax (Athlete of the Year), Ashleigh Pegrum (Rising Star)
- Mountain Bike GE: Harper Nelmes (Athlete of the Year), Jett Jordan (Rising Star)
- Mountain Bike XCO: Oliver Richards (Athlete of the Year), Willow Frazer (Rising Star)
- Greater Bank Netball: Matilda Percival (Athlete of the Year), Lana Kaal and Ellora Greirson (Rising Stars)
- Greater Bank Netball Umpires: Keeliah Ridley (Athlete of the Year), Jorja Douglass (Rising Star)
- Para Sports: Dylan Molloy (Athlete of the Year)
- Sailing: Arthur Bell (Athlete of the Year), Annika Van Woerkom and George Carr (Rising Stars)
- Softball: Alyssa Frame (Athlete of the Year), Charlotte Quinn and Sonny Woolley (Rising Stars)
- Swimming (High Performance) – Bevan Smith (Swimming)
- Swimming: Aleksander Gillon (Athlete of the Year), Will Jenkins and Hanna Mounter (Rising Stars)
- Voco Kirkton Park Triathlon: Madeline Platt (Athlete of the Year), Zoe Webb and Joseph Lim (Rising Stars)
- Volleyball: Charlie Niell (Athlete of the Year), Finnbarr Harrigan and Paige Jessup (Rising Stars)
- Tennis: Jack Smith (Athlete of the Year)
- Surf Life Saving: Macy Waller (Athlete of the Year)
A full gallery of photos from the night can be found here
Congratulations to all the winners, and a special thank you to the coaches, volunteers, and families who continue to support and inspire these talented young athletes. The Hunter Academy of Sport is proud to nurture and develop the region’s next generation of sporting stars.
A big thankyou to our event sponsor Viatek, and to our Platinum Partners Santos, Office of Sport, Your local club, Steadfast, UAA, Greater Bank, The University of Newcastle, Oddball Marketing, NBN Television, SCA & Regional Academies of Sport.
