Sporting excellence
Awards for Sporting Achievements
Randwick City Council is proud to annually celebrate the great sportsmanship and skill of local community members.
The 2022 nominations for the Sports Award are now closed.
The winners will be announced at a special award presentation ceremony (invitation only) on Thursday 27 October 2022.
Awards Overview
Bradley Matthews Memorial Award for Sporting Excellence
Since 1979, Randwick Council has acknowledged our finest young athletes with the Bradley Matthews Memorial Award for Sporting Excellence. This award is open to students aged 13 to 18 years who live, attend school or are strongly affiliated with a sporting club within the City of Randwick.
Juniors Sports Award - Male and Female
The Randwick City Junior Sporting Award recognises our young sportsmen and women and encourages their dedication and commitment to their chosen sport. This award was created to acknowledge up and coming young sports stars aged 5 to 12 years.
Hall of Sporting Champions Inductees
Council's Hall of Sporting Champions acknowledges sporting legends who were born, or live, in Randwick or have represented Randwick City at state or national level. Many of those acknowledged have been champions of decades gone by, right up to present day Olympians.
The Randwick City Hall of Sporting Champions board is on display in the foyer of Bowen Library, Maroubra. Presented under the Seal of Council, these awards acknowledge our finest athletes who join a long list of high-profile winners, including:
- Olympians Jane Saville and Julie Speight
- League legend Jeff Orford
- Rugby legend David Campese
- Surf life saving champion Samantha O'Brien
- Cricketer Simon Katich
- Horse trainer Gai Waterhouse
- Rugby legend Ewan McKenzie
- Olympian Dennis Heussner OAM
Sporting Excellence - Junior and Youth with a Disability
A new award for 2022, this award aims to recognise the achievements of people with disabilities in Randwick City between the ages of 5 and 18 years. There will be a junior recipient for those aged between 5-12 years and a Youth recipient for those aged between 13-18 years.
Randwick Coach of the Year
A new award for 2022, this award aims to recognise a dedicated local sporting coach within the City of Randwick. We are looking for the special individuals who go above and beyond for their teams; providing mentorship, support, specialist expertise, skill and knowledge beyond expectations.
2021 Winners
Bradley Matthews - Tali Baltineshter - Javelin
A mighty congratulations to Tali Baltineshter for winning the 2021 Bradley Matthews Memorial Award for Sporting Excellence for her success in Javelin Throw and Basketball. Tali is a role model and a mentor to younger javelin athletes and basketball players. She is always happy to assist her coaches when training younger kids and encourages kids to take up both sports. Tali is currently ranked #1 in Australia for U16 Women's Javelin and number #3 in the World for her age group. Tali achieved gold for the U16 Women’s Javelin at the National Australian Athletics Championships.
Junior Female Sports Award - Marnie Laurence - Athletics, Surf Lifesaving, AFL
Marnie Laurence is just 9-years-old and already the success she achieves in all of her chosen sports is impressive! Excelling in athletics, surf lifesaving, cross country and AFL, Marnie has exceptional physical ability and talent as well as a dedicated work ethic. Yet it is her humble nature and commitment to her team that really sets Marnie apart. She is always on hand to support her peers and has a true willingness to help others. Marnie has had a stellar season, performing at the highest level receiving many accolades, including:
- LANSW State Athletics Championships 2021: Gold 100m, Gold 200m, Gold mixed relay
- Surf Life Saving State Championships NSW 2021: Gold Flags, Gold Sprints, Gold Sprint Relay
- LANSW State Combined Carnival 2020: Gold
- IPSHA Cross Country 2021: Silver
- CAS Cross Country 2021: 17th
Junior Male Sports Award - Jett Stokes - Cycling
Jett Stokes started mountain biking when he was just six years old and since then has achieved remarkable feats for his young age, in both cycling and long-distance running. Jett is the youngest cyclist in the world to complete ‘Half Everesting’, climbing and descending a hill multiple times in 24 hours to achieve the elevation of 4454m (half the height of Mount Everest). Jett cycled Bradleys Head Road near Taronga Zoo in May 2021 to complete Half Everesting at age 10. A member of the Randwick Botany Cycling Club, he carries himself with such dignity for his young age. He’s always the first to congratulate his competitors, even when he hasn’t won, and represents his club with pride. In 2017 Jett rode 169km over four days doing the Otago Rail Trail when he was just 6 years old. His list of highest achievements include:
- Silver medallist, NSW Junior Road Race Championships, 2020 (U11)
- Regional level, in Sydney Metropolitan Athletics Junior Championships
- Regional level, in Sydney Metropolitan Cross Country Junior Championships
2021 Winner of the Randwick City Hall of Sporting Champions: Sean Garlick
We welcome rugby league player Sean Garlick to the Sporting Hall of Champions for his contribution to sport in the local area. A great player a good leader, Sean played for both the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Eastern Suburbs Roosters, where he captained both teams at various times. Sean is a fine sportsman, who played all his sport locally. An inspirational leader, Sean is a great communicator and a very successful businessman and is now the owner of Garlos Pies. A dedicated family man, he retired from playing when he was at a senior competitive level.
2021 Winner of the Randwick City Hall of Sporting Champions: Les Davison (awarded posthumously)
We'd like to acknowledge the contribution Les Davison from the La Perouse Aboriginal Community made to sport in our area. Uncle Les was an outstanding boxer and was selected and taken to the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, however he was turned away and unable to fight because he was Aboriginal. Sadly, Uncle Les passed away on 15 August 2021; our community and especially our aboriginal community suffered a great loss with his passing. This year, Randwick City Council would like to acknowledge Uncle Les for the outstanding athlete that he was by inducting him posthumously into the Randwick City Council Sporting Hall of Fame.
Sponsorship
We’d like to give a very special thank you to the South Sydney Rabbitohs for their on-going support of the Randwick Awards for Sporting Achievement through the generous donation of prize-packs for all nominees in 2021.
2020 Winners
Bradley Matthews - James Tirado - Athletics
James Tirado is a vision-impaired para-athlete, who has represented Randwick/Botany Harriers, NSW and Australia. He has also represented Marcellin College Randwick in Athletics and Cross Country at regional, state and national events. He is a National All Schools Champion for the 800m para and holds the current Australian Record for 800m para for T13 vision-impaired athletes. James is a dedicated, hardworking athlete who not only has the determination to win state and national titles but displays care and understanding towards athletes with a disability. He has been a great role model for younger vision-impaired athletes by providing them guidance in undertaking sports and overcoming obstacles to achieve sporting success.
Junior Male Sports Award - Ruben Shepard - Cycling
Ruben started cycling in 2017, joining the Randwick Cycling Club and participating in the junior program every Saturday afternoon at Heffron Park. He quickly progressed and has been competing in events all over NSW and Australia, winning the NSW under 11 Cyclist of the Year Award in 2019 and travelling to the Netherlands and competing in a junior tour event there. Ruben has made a big contribution to junior cycling at Randwick Cycling Club, encouraging other kids to have a go and making lots of friends from within the club and around Australia.
Junior Female Sports Award - Piper Simpson - Athletics
Piper Simpson first ran competitively for Clovelly School, aged eight. Two years later she was training with Up and Running and had joined Little Athletics. In 2019 Piper was unbeaten on the track at 800m and 1500m in her age group, culminating in double individual gold at School State and National Championships. Piper is a humble champion, valuing her sporting friendships and always encouraging her teammates to do their best. Last year Piper asked to enter the Balmoral Burn – an uphill sprint- and raised over $1000 for the Children’s Hospitals.
2020 Winners of the Randwick City Hall of Sporting Champions: Lisa Hardy, Karen Hardy - Ironwoman and Surf Life Saving
Both Lisa and Karen were the first ever women to compete against the men in surf lifesaving Iron Man racing. If it wasn't for Karen and Lisa ironwoman racing wouldn't have been established. Lisa's main achievement was paving the way for the ironwomen of today as she was an original pioneer of the sport. Lisa has been a credit to her club, family and the sport of surf lifesaving. Karen's has represented Australia in conducting surf awareness training, passing on her knowledge of the sport to the younger generation entering the sport. Both Lisa and Karen have also achieved many great results racing in numerous competitions such as: Nutri Grain series, Ella Bache series, Devondale and the Meadow Lea Series. They have represented their country, state and local club at many carnivals over the years, travelling all around the world to compete. Lisa was the first women to sign a contract with surf lifesaving and Kellogg's Nutri Grain Iron Man series. Lisa and Karen are now both retired but continue to give back to the community with coaching the next generation of surf sports athletes at Maroubra Surf lifesaving club.
2020 Winner of the Randwick City Hall of Sporting Champions: Mathew Harper - Surf Life Saving
Mat has obtained almost every Surf Life Saving award including the Gold Medallion. He has been a highly valued member of Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club for 15 years and currently holds the positions of Patrol and Club Captain, Captain of Surf Rescue 30, and is an integral part of training and assessment, development camps. Mat’s focus on education and lifesaving at the club has resulted in record numbers of proficiencies, Bronze and education numbers. He is an active champion competitor, Nippers coach and mentor for young members who fosters a caring, safe and helpful environment for all his 250+ volunteers. Mat is a strong and influential leader within the local community as well as in the surf lifesaving community.
2019 Winners
Bradley Matthews - Kate Arnol - Taekwondo
Kate won Gold at the Korean Taekwondo Association of Australia in the 40-50kg Black Belt Division. She is currently preparing for her Senior Black Belt. Kate also plays AFL for the U18’s Maroubra Saints. Last season, Kate received the Spirit of the Game Award for her onfield behaviour and respect for others. Kate was also selected for the 2019 AFL NSW/ACT Female Talent Program Academy. She has also represented her school and local sporting clubs at state and national levels.
Junior Male - Marcus Da Silva - Swimming
Marcus attends Marcellin College Randwick, where he is recognised as the 2019 U13’s Age Champion for Swimming. At the school swimming carnival this year, he broke 2 records – one record was standing since 1985. He has achieved incredible results, including participating at the 2019 NSW State Age Championship, placing 1st in 12 year old Boys 50m, 100m and 400m
Juniors Female - Tali Baltineshter - Javelin
Representing NSW in the under 14’s Female Javelin at the 2019 Australian National Athletics Championships. She won silver, which ranks her second in Australia even though completing 2 age groups higher.
2019 Sporting Hall of Champion - John Sutton - Rubgy League
One of the modern day legends of the Rabbitohs, 'Sutto' is the Club’s most capped first-grade player and has played more grade games for the Club than anyone else in its 111-year history. John is a Souths junior who captained the Club to its 21st premiership success in 2014, and still holds a leadership role within the squad. He became the first Rabbitohs player in history to have a Testimonial Match, which was held at the hallowed Redfern Oval.
The 2019 winners were announced at a reception hosted by the Deputy Mayor Cr Philipa Veitch on Thursday 24 October 2019.
Cr Anthony Andrews accepted the Sporting Hall of Champion Award on behalf of John Sutton.
2018 Winners
Miles Davis - Hockey
Miles was selected to represent Australia in the Youth Olympics in October 2018. He is the only U18 male player in Australia who has been selected to represent Australia in four international tournaments in 2017 and 2018. This year he was also named in the 2018 Hockey Australia’s ‘Futuroo’ squad.
2018 Male winner: Max Moylan - Swimming & Surf Lifesaving
Max excels in swimming and surf lifesaving. He has been a consistent top 10 performer at state age swimming and state nippers. He proudly represents the UNSW swimming club, Coogee Minnows and Randwick Public School.
2018 Female winner: Alice Lee - Table Tennis
Alice is a rising table tennis star and a huge talent. Her outstanding results include being ranked 8th in Australia and 3rd in New South Wales for her age group. Alice has also won two gold medals, seven silver and one bronze medal at NSW State Competitions.
Hall of Sporting Champions Inductee - Lea Yanitsas - Water Polo
Lea has been competing in Water Polo for over 13 years. Her achievements are outstanding, she has represented Australia in the Rio and London Olympics as a goalie in the Water Polo team. She also won Best Goalie in the National Water Polo League in 2018 for the UNSW team. Outside of training and playing water polo, Lea volunteers her time to coach juniors and promote water polo to the community.
2017 Winners
Bradley Matthews Memorial Award for Sporting Excellence - Scarlett Pye - Athletics
Juniors Sports Award
2017 Male winner: Bailey Habler - Athletics, swimming and rugby.
2017 Female winner: Keilani Manu - Oztag, netball, nippers, rugby 7s, rugby league and athletics.
Hall of Sporting Champions Inductee - David Warner - Cricket
2016 Winners
Bradley Matthews Memorial Award for Sporting Excellence winner: William Harrison - Rugby Union and Surf Life Saving
Juniors Sports Award 2016 Male winner: Dylan Katz - Judo
Juniors Sports Award 2016 Female winner: Alexandra Spaska - Judo
Hall of Sporting Champions Inductees
Two new athletes were inducted into the Randwick Hall of Sporting Champions in 2016:
- Heather Hawkins – Marathon running
- Robert Dwyer AM – Rugby Union
2015 Winners
Bradley Matthews Memorial Award for Sporting Excellence - Lucy McJannett - Swimming
Juniors Sports Award Male winner: Malikye Kessie - Athletics/Soccer/Surf Lifesaving
Juniors Sports Award Female winner: Tamsin Colley - Cross Country/Athletics
Hall of Sporting Champions Inductees
Two new athletes were inducted into the Randwick Hall of Sporting Champions in 2015:
- Alix Verge - Croquet
- Russell Fairfax - Rugby
Complete List of Hall of Sporting Champions Inductees
2019
- John Sutton - Rugby League
2018
- Lea Yanitsas - Water Polo
2017
- David Warner - Cricket
2016
- Heather Hawkins - Marathon running
- Robert Dwyer AM - Rugby League
2015
- Alix Verge - Croquet
- Russell Fairfax - Rugby
2014
- Michael Cheika - Rugby Union
- Tom Denniss – Running
2013
- Sally Bennett - Fencing
- Jeffrey Hunt - Marathon/Distance Running
2012
- Richard Chee Quee - Cricket
- Neville Voigt - Horseracing
- Eric Simms - Rugby League
- Peter Tunks - Rugby League
- Gary Ella - Rugby Union
- Glen Ella - Rugby Union
2011
- Simon Katich - Cricket
- Richard French OAM - Cricket
- Chelsea Pitman – Netball
2010
- George Macris - Handball
2009
- Michael Renford - Distance Swimming
- Gai Waterhouse - Horse Training
2008
- Geoffrey Martin - Athletics/Surf Life Saving
- Mark Scott - Surf Life Saving
- Rick Pendleton - Swimming
2007
- Rohan Blizard - Golf
- Linda Meech - Jockey
- Ron Crawford OAM - Olympic Walk
- Sarah Stewart - Paralympic Basketballer
- Craig Wing - Rugby League
- Kane Heussner - Surf Life Saving
- John Rodgers - Swimming
2006
- Paul Roos - AFL
- Sylvia Donohoe - Golf
- Mark Delevski - Karate
- Brad Fittler - Rugby League
- Luke Ricketson - Rugby League
- Beau Champion - Rugby League
2005
- John Cann - Athletics
- John Russell - Athletics
- David Delevski - Karate
- Joanne Sutton - Netball
- Paul Sait - Rugby League
- Adam Freier - Rugby Union
- Michael Jonson - Touch Football
1998 - 2004
- Geoffrey Lawson - Cricket
- Wally Brown - Kayaking/Surf Life Saving
- Graham Johnson - Kayaking/Surf Life Saving
- Dennis McGuire - Kayaking/Surf Life Saving
- Barry Stuart - Kayaking/Surf Life Saving
- Darren Schott - Rugby League/Surf Life Saving
- Owen Finegan - Rugby Union
- Warwick Waugh - Rugby Union
- Chris Whitaker - Rugby Union
- Matthew Howard - Surfing/Surf Life Saving
- Brett Hawke - Swimming
- Malcolm Allen - Swimming/Surf Life Saving
- Jim Findlay - Swimming/Surf Life Saving
- Natalie Saville - Walking
- Jane Saville - Walking
1998
- Frank Misson - Cricket
- Bill Cook - Horseracing
- Darren Beadman - Horseracing
- John Sattler - Rugby League
- John O'Neill - Rugby League
- Samantha O'Brien - Surf Life Saving
- Celina Hardy - Swimming
- Trevor Cracknell - Swimming/Surf Life Saving
1997
- "Snowy" Baker - All Rounder
- Ewen McKenzie - Rugby Union
- Bob Outterside - Rugby Union
- Simon Poidevin - Rugby Union
- Cyril Towers - Rugby Union
- Mike Cleary - Rugby Union/Rugby League
- Denis Heussner - Surf Life Saving
- Mina Wylie - Swimming
- Jon Donohoe - Swimming/Surf Life Saving
- Ronald McKeon - Swimming/Surf Life Saving
- Greg Rogers - Swimming/Surf Life Saving
- Neil Rogers - Swimming/Surf Life Saving
- Ron Rogers - Swimming/Surf Life Saving
- Jim Gilchrist - Tennis
1996
- Vivienne Ramsey - Dance Sport
- Isabel French - Lawn Bowls
- Marcia Ella-Duncan - Netball
- Leslie Cowie OAM - Rugby League
- John Graves - Rugby League
- Harold Horder - Rugby League
- Albert Treweek - Rugby League
- Benny Wearing - Rugby League
- David Knox - Rugby Union
- Kenneth Catchpole - Rugby Union
- John Le Marseny - Surf Life Saving
- Mark Scott - Surfing/Touch football
- Keith Little - Swimming
- Mary Reitano - Tennis
1995
- Donald Campbell - Athletics
- Alan Cripps - Cricket
- Alec Marks - Cricket
- Dennise Hutton - Golf
- Wayne Harris - Horseracing
- J.W Thompson - Horseracing
- Terese Kennedy - Netball
- Cheryl McCormack - Netball
- Len Holt - Professional Wrestling
- Mervyn Wood LVO MBE QPM - Rowing
- Howard Hallett Snr - Rugby League
- Arthur Hennessy - Rugby League
- Ron Coote - Rugby League
- Jeffrey Sayle - Rugby Union
- Jack Garrett - Squash
- Christopher Gately - Surf Life Saving
- Michael Porra - Surf Life Saving
- Pat Manning - Surf Life Saving
- Tony Seddon - Surfing/Surf life
- Des Renford MBE OHC - Swimming
- Alan Langford - Swimming
- Christopher Harrison - Water Polo
1994
- George Campbell - Athletics
- Sue Mahony - Athletics
- Jack Chegwyn - Cricket
- Lionel Cox - Cycling
- Julie Speight - Cycling
- Harry Berwick MBE - Golf
- Sharon (Gilligan) Jack-Carlin - Gymnastics
- Kevin Moses - Horseracing
- Dennis Green - Kayaking
- Myra Hammond - Lawn Bowls
- Nicole Cusack - Netball
- Sharon Finnan OAM - Netball
- Clive Churchill - Rugby League
- Bob McCarthy MBE - Rugby League
- David Campese - Rugby Union
- Colin Windon - Rugby Union
- John Kosmina - Soccer
- Barry Rodgers - Surf Life Saving
- Syd Ball - Tennis
- Lesley Bowrey - Tennis
1993
- Michael Whitney - Cricket
- Alan Turner - Cricket
- Dan Cullen Snr - Golf
- Noel Bartell - Golf
- Paul Fallon - Handball
- Ron Quinton - Horseracing
- Andrew Noel Scott - Lawn Bowls
- Dorrie Macdonald - Lawn Bowls
- Keeley Devery - Netball
- Susan Kenny - Netball
- A.D Watson - Rifle Shooting
- Gary Stevens - Rugby League
- Nicholas Shehadie - Rugby Union
- Mark Ella - Rugby Union
- Wally Meagher - Rugby Union
- Jack Cannot - Surf Life Saving
- Leigh Habler - Swimming
- Max Metzker - Swimming
- Thelma (Coyne) Long - Tennis
- Wal Spicer - Water Skiiing