Kennedy claims maiden WAIS Athlete of the Year honour
It was a night to remember for Nina Kennedy at this years 2023 WAIS Awards of Excellence. Nina was crowned the 2023 WAIS Athlete of the Year, marking her maiden title in this prestigious category. She follows the likes of Pole Vaulting greats in Steve Hooker (2008 and 09 Athlete of the Year), and most fittingly her Coach Paul Burgess (2006 Athlete of the Year), who also claimed his first Coach of the Year title.
The highlight of Kennedy’s outstanding year came at the 2023 World Athletics Championships held in Budapest, where she clinched the gold medal, sharing the top spot with the equally formidable Katie Moon. This remarkable performance earned her the coveted Bruce McAvaney Award for the Performance of the Year. Nina’s dominance was also on display throughout the international circuit, with impressive victories at the Zurich and Paris Diamond League meets.
Finishing the year off in style, Kennedy broke the Australian and Oceania record not once, not twice, but three times, finishing the year holding the world lead in pole vaulting with a remarkable 4.91meters.
Joining Kennedy in the spotlight were other luminaries of the Australian sports scene. Matt Wearn, who has continued his form into early-2024 was recently crowed back-to-back World Champion, and will look to continue his reign into Paris 2024 as the defending Olympic Gold medallist.
The Netball World Cup team comprising of Courtney Bruce, Sunday Aryang and Sophie Garbin were also right at the top, after what was a phenomenal year for the Diamond’s. Bruce’s stellar skills earned her the Defender of the Tournament title in South Africa, while Garbin emerged as the top-ranked goal shooter for Australia. Aryang, who made her World Cup debut, proved to be a versatile defender, showcasing her abilities in both the circle and on the wing.
In the category of Young Athlete of the Year, Jacqui Swick emerged triumphant, this accolade makes it back-to-back Young Athlete’s of the Year for Jacqui, who is continuing her remarkable journey in rowing. Her year included medalling in every senior international race in 2023, which included a gold at the World Cup 2, and a Bronze at World Cup 3. Her Bronze at the World Championships not only solidified the power of the women’s eights, but saw them secure a qualification spot for Paris 2024.
Other finalists for Young Athlete of the Year included Alex Rossi (rowing), who led his team to a bronze medal finish in the men’s quadruple sculls at the U23 World Championships, Iona Anderson (swimming) who clinched gold in the 50m backstroke at the World Junior Aquatic Championships, earning a debut in the senior side earlier this month where she claimed 2x individual silvers and a gold in the 4x100m medley, and Alex Saffy (swimming), who added a bronze to his name at the Para World Championships in Manchester.
In recognition of their invaluable contributions to our athletes/programs, coaches Paul Burgess (pole vault), Jamie Hewlett (rowing), Shane McDonald (basketball) and Danny Kevan (athletics) were honoured with Coach of the Year nominations, with the title taken out by Paul Burgess.
The night also saw two special presentations, with Para Triathlete David Bryant named the recipient of the Wally Foreman scholarship for 2023. The scholarship seeks to continue Wally’s legacy through supporting opportunities for local athletes that Wally himself would have championed himself.
We also had the honour of including Ben Wright in our celebrations, who was presented with his bronze medal from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, following a doping violation by one of his competitors.
Ben is a fixture of the Australian Commonwealth Games Team, and it was very special to have him receive his medal , presented by Craig Phillips AM, CEO from Commonwealth Games Australia, as part of the night.
As the curtains drew on the evenings festivities, the spotlight remained on these outstanding athletes, and their unwavering dedication to sporting excellence, who continue to inspire generations to come.