On October 12th, the Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) hosted the highly anticipated 2023 Awards Night, an evening filled with excitement and celebration, recognizing achievements of the 2023 season. Over 100 athletes, coaches, managers, families and VIP’s gathered to honour excellence and commitment within the sporting community.
Prominent member of the 2023 NSW Elite & U19 State Team, cyclist Noah Mason was named as the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Athlete of the Year award. Noah showcased exceptional talents and dedication throughout the 2023 season, with notable races at the 2023 AusCycling Elite, Junior 19, and Track National Championships.
Talented Basketballer Miles Carl was recognized as the UAA Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Athlete of the Year. Miles emerged as a proven performer on the basketball court, displaying exceptional skills at both ends of the game
The Steadfast Athlete Leadership Award was awarded to Ozzie Cameron (Hockey) and Greater Bank Volunteer Coach and Manager of the Year awarded to Mark Ingrey (Golf) and Rebecca Mason (Cycling). The Paul Trisley Contribution to Sport was awarded to Triathlon Coach Nicky Western.
The event also highlighted the talented and dedicated individuals within the HAS sporting programs, with the following athletes recognized for their efforts:
Athletes of the Year: Tayla Bryant (Athletics), Jackson Frame (Baseball), Miles Carl and Phoebe McGregor (Basketball), Noah Mason and Hayley Dell (Cycling), Arman Zolfaghary (Future Stars), Emily Leong (Golf), Ozzie Cameron and Sarah Juchau (UAA Hockey), Zali Keats (UAA Indigenous Talent), Harper Nelmes (Mountain Bike GE), Matilda Percival (Greater Bank Netball), Zaara Alexander (Greater Bank Netball Umpires), Sophie Drummond, (Sailing), Eva Keen (Swimming), Tom Woods (Softball), Rohan Barnes (Triathlon), Marcus Ma (Volleyball).
Rising Star: Marli Brunckhorst (Athletics), Patrick Harrison (Baseball), William Dobbins, Sasha Jaunalksnis, Keely Rao and Zoe Keeble (Basketball), Tom Harbone (Future Stars), Cooper Ridgeway (Golf), Angus Eicher and Tahlia Ottery (UAA Hockey), Phoebe Raisbeck (UAA Indigenous Talent), Oscar Berry and Owen Lane (Mountain Bike GE), Archie Gibson (Mountain Bike XCO), Paiton Cook (Greater Bank Netball), Yasmyn Alexander (Greater Bank Netball Umpires), Samuel Dalton (Sailing), Aleksander Gillon, Hamish Ihle and Sophie Scislo (Swimming), Arwen Kavanagh (Softball), Jazmine O’Brien and Mitchell Jeffery (Triathlon), Charlie Neill and Ava Smith (Volleyball).
Former athlete and Australian representative Baseballer Rixon Wingrove was a special guest of the night, sharing his wisdom on what it’s like to be a professional athlete.
Chief Executive Officer of HAS, Brett O’Farrell stated, “We are delighted to have hosted the 2023 HAS Awards Night, an event that celebrates the talent, dedication, and contributions within our region’s sports community. This night was a true tribute to the incredible athletes and the coaches, volunteers, and supporters who are instrumental in the success of sport in the Hunter region.”
The 2023 HAS Awards Night was an inspiring evening that brought together athletes, coaches, volunteers, and sports enthusiasts from the Hunter region. It offered a platform to celebrate the individuals who continue to shape the future of sports in the area.
A full gallery of photos from the event can be found HERE.
