Caitlin Bassett and Melissa Hoskins made history on Saturday night after they were named joint recipients of the 2015 WAIS Athlete of the Year at the Institute’s Annual Dinner at HBF Stadium in Perth.
Bassett became the first netballer to win the prestigious award, whilst Hoskins was the first female cyclist to earn distinction as WAIS Athlete of the Year, with the prize shared for just the second time in the award’s history, following the 2008 trophy going to Olympic champions Steve Hooker (pole vault) and 470 sailing duo Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson.
It was a successful night for women in sport, with the Junior Athlete of the Year prize claimed by triple junior world championship medallist Tamsin Cook, whilst the Minister for Sport and Recreation the Hon. Mia Davies also highlighted the impact that women provide in governance of sport during her address, noting the important contributions of WAIS board members Fiona Tory (deputy chair), Rachel Harris, Clover Maitland and Maryanne Wilson.
Swimming was another big winner on the night, with the Challenge Podium Performance Centre announced as the WAIS Program of the Year, whilst Michael Palfrey – who heads up the program – also took to stage to accept the WAIS Coach of the Year Award.
A strong list of candidates for the WAIS Athlete of the Year were narrowed to four finalists, with Bassett and Hoskins joined by FINA World All Star water polo player Aaron Younger, and newly ranked world number one laser sailor Matt Wearn.
The selection committee deemed Bassett’s role in shooting Australia to a third straight Netball World Cup win and Hoskins’ efforts in helping the Australian women’s team pursuit to a drought breaking world championship win at this year’s Track World Championships in France, in world record time, as equally deserving of the top award.
Caitlin Bassett is in New Zealand preparing to play in the Constellation Cup for Australia, but provided an update via social media on Sunday morning, thanking her long term coach.
“Thank you so much to WAIS for all your support over the last decade especially Michelle Wilkins and a big congratulations to Mel Hoskins too,” her message on Instagram read in part.
Michelle Wilkins accepted the award on Bassett’s behalf and spoke of the athlete’s honesty and commitment as being hallmarks of her continued success.
Earlier in the evening, the Wally Foreman Foundation presented three scholarships to WAIS athletes Sharon Jarvis (para-equatrian), Lyndsay Pekin (athletics) and Jaime Roberts (kayaing), with funding set to provide each with unique assistance as they pursue their sporting goals.
Popular wheelchair basketball athlete Brad Ness was awarded the WAIS Personal Excellence Award, highlighting his incredible achievements in sport, in his business (Manga Pizza) and through his role supporting the Red Dust Heelers program that supports causes close to his heart.
Ness was not in attendance at the Dinner, as he led the Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team to qualification at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, but he similarly provided thanks via Instagram.
“Very honoured to be awarded the WAIS Personal Excellence Award at the 2015 WAIS Annual Dinner. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past year to help make this happen,” it read in part.
Brad’s wife Giovanna Ness accepted the award in his behalf.
Tamsin Cook edged out a stellar field of candidates that included Nina Kennedy (pole vault), Damian Fyfe (swimming), Conor Nicholas (sailing) and Alex Rendell (cycling) for the Junior Athlete of the Year.
Western Australian golfer Minjee Lee was the inaugural recipient of the Herb Elliott Medal, which opened the night’s WA Hall of Champions celebrations. Lee’s efforts in winning the Kingsmill Championship in Virginia in her debut season on the LPGA Tour was ranked ahead of Adam Voges’ debut test century against the West Indies and Caitlin Bassett’s achievements with the Australian Diamonds.
Lee’s coach Ritchie Smith accepted the award on her behalf, with the medal representing the most inspirational sporting achievement by a West Australian in 2015.
Western Australian football legend Stan Lazaridis earned induction into the WA Hall of Champions, where he was joined by cricketing great Adam Gilchrist. Existing Hall of Champion member, Rechelle Hawkes received just the seventh elevation to legend status, within the Hall’s illustrious ranks.
The Challenge Podium Performance Centre earned distinction as WAIS Program of the Year, ahead of the WAIS Hockey Men’s and WAIS Sailing Programs, whilst Michael Palfrey accepted the Coach of the Year ahead of his colleagues Belinda Stowell (Sailing) and Michelle Wilkins (Netball).
WAIS Personal Excellence
Brad Ness (Wheelchair Basketball)
As the captain of the current world champion Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team, Brad Ness is undeniably a busy man. Not only is he on track to compete at a fifth Paralympic Games campaign, Brad – along with his wife Giovanna – recently opened a successful Pizza Restaurant (Manga Pizza) in Fremantle, whilst he is also an ambassador and driving influence behind the Red Dust Heelers group, that uses sport as a tool to promote inclusion across all areas of life, with a focus on disability and indigenous communities, particularly in regional areas. Brad’s champion qualities as an athlete speak for itself, but his willingness to support WAIS values has also seen him open his business to other WAIS sporting programs, most notably a culture and leadership workshop with the predominantly teenage members of the WAIS men’s hockey program.
WAIS Junior Athlete of the Year
Tamsin Cook (Swimming)
A triple medal-winning campaign at the Junior Swimming World Championships in Singapore has identified Tamsin Cook as future star of Australian swimming. Cook led an Australian women’s 4x200m freestyle relay team to a gold medal and championship record, before she added individual gold, once again in championship record time, in the 400m free. Cook rounded out a highly successful meet with silver in the 200m fly as Australia topped the medal tally.
WAIS Program of the Year
Swimming – Challenge Podium Performance Centre
Benchmark athlete performances at peak events, underpinned a highly successful year for the Challenge Podium Performance Centre. The program witnessed eight podium performances at junior world championship level, set against a 5% increase in athlete personal bests to 52% overall at this year’s National Championships. Performance Enhancement Team engagement has been a catalyst for the improved results, with regular pool deck consultation from WAIS physiology and biomechanics playing a significant role in athlete development, whilst gains have also been evidenced in strength and conditioning. Athlete alignment with WAIS values was typified by Damian Fyfe and Tamsin Cook being selected as team leaders on the Australian Junior World Championship team in Singapore.
WAIS Coach of the Year
Michael Palfrey (Swimming)
Michael Palfrey coached two athletes onto the Australian Junior Swimming Team for this year’s championships in Singapore. Palfrey himself was a senior coach on the team and saw his athletes Tamsin Cook and Damian Fyfe both swim career best efforts at the major meet. Cook claimed two junior world titles, with a junior world record leading leg in the victorious women’s 4x200m free. Palfrey has also been active in the local coaching scene, working in coaching education through Swimming WA and as a member of coaching staff on WA state teams.
WAIS Athlete of the Year
Caitlin Bassett (Netball)
Australia’s World Cup win over New Zealand in Sydney was supported in no small part by Diamonds’ goal shooter Caitlin Bassett. Bassett shot an incredible 48 goals at 94% accuracy as the Australians celebrated a third straight world cup triumph. Bassett was also instrumental as the West Coast Fever earned a first finals appearance in the ANZ Championship.
Melissa Hoskins (Cycling)
Track cyclist Melissa Hoskins helped Australia to a drought breaking gold medal success in the women’s team pursuit at the 2015 UCI Track World Championships in France. Australia smashed the world record and secured bragging rights over arch-rivals Great Britain in claiming the coveted rainbow jersey.
