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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-11-29 Daily Xml
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Sport Awards

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:39): I would like to rise today to speak about South Australia's outstanding athletes and pay tribute to the many who have been recognised over the last couple of weeks, when I have been lucky enough to attend both the 2016 KPMG South Australian Sport Awards and the 2016 South Australian Sports Institute annual awards presentations. Both were well organised and attended, and I would like to acknowledge those involved in bringing these great presentations to the wider public.

We have a rich sporting culture in this state, and the passion and commitment of those who have contributed to our great sporting past give our young aspiring athletes inspiration for the future. I would also like to pay respect to the fantastic volunteer base that sits behind our great sporting athletes here in South Australia.

The Sport SA awards, The Advertiser Channel 7 Sports Star of the Year awards and the KPMG South Australia Sports Hall of Fame awards were presented in front of 435 people at a gala event. The 2016 KPMG South Australia Sports Hall of Fame honour roll is now 55 inductees long, with another list of greats having been inducted—Greg Chappell MBE (cricket), Jenny Cheesman AM (multi sports: basketball and softball), Matthew Cowdrey OAM (a great Paralympian, one of the greatest in history), and Ken Farmer (through the SANFL). His son gave probably one of the funniest presentations as a recipient of a hall of fame award that I have yet heard.

Julie Francou (netball) and Jan Stirling AM (basketball) were honoured, and joining this distinguished group for the first time since 2011 were two new legends in Victor Richardson OBE (multi sports) and the great Gillian Rolton, our gold medal equestrian. They were promoted to the highest status of legend. The award winners were:

Sports Star of the Year and Junior Sports Star of Year was Kyle Chalmers. He has enjoyed an outstanding year. Everywhere he goes, he picks up awards, and they are certainly well deserved;

Team of the Year was Adelaide United. I was there to witness that great win last year against Western Sydney Wanderers, and it was truly one of the most outstanding sporting events I have been to at the Adelaide Oval;

the People's Choice award went to the lovely Jess Trengove, a bright, bubbly marathon runner;

Elite Athlete with a Disability was Brayden Davidson, a gold medallist at the Rio Paralympics. What an outstanding story that young fellow has to tell, and it really is something worth listening to;

Tanya Denver Award for Endeavour and Sportsmanship went to Paralympian Libby Kosmala;

the Arthur J. Gallagher Administrator of the year was Michael Carter from Football Federation SA (soccer);

Coach of the Year was Peter Bishop, whose name is certainly up in lights after the success in swimming at the recent Rio Olympics;

the Volunteer Award went to John Holland from dragon boating.

Official of the year was Glenn Errington (table tennis);

Country Athlete of the Year was Aidan Stock (hockey);

Significant Event of the Year went to Hancock Prospecting Swimming Australia Olympic Trials. I was lucky enough to see those trials, and it was truly outstanding to see the past olympians mentoring the up and comers. It really was a great event at the Marion swimming centre;

Community Event of the Year was the Dragon Down Under in Adelaide 2016;

the Richard Newman Primary School Sports Award went Ben Hinks (sailing). Ben is an outstanding young fellow who presented extremely well. He is only as tall as a grasshopper, but he truly is a talent in sailing; and

the Secondary School Sports Award went to Liam Bekric (swimming).

Of course, Marg Ralston is well known to many in journalism circles and the sporting fraternity, and the Margaret Ralston Golden Door Award, presented for the second time, went to the late Lois Quarrell, who was a pioneer in sporting journalism at The Advertiser and in women's sport.

At the SASI Awards, champion cyclist Anna Meares was recognised for her outstanding contribution to sport and cycling, as was our new swimming sensation, Kyle Chalmers. Kyle was named the Male Athlete of the Year and Anna was named the Female Athlete of the Year. As I have said, Brayden Davidson won his second consecutive award for Athlete of the Year with a Disability. Brayden came up to me and said, 'Have a look at this medal.' It was an Olympic gold medal and it was already well worn with plenty of dents and scratches on it, so he has had it out and about which is great to see.

Chloe Moran and Kurtis Marschall won the respective Junior Female and Male Athlete of the Year. Chloe Moran is an up and coming cyclist, and Kurtis Marschall is a pole vaulter. Jared Tallent, captain of the Australian athletics team at Rio, won the Amy Gillett-Safe Memorial Award. He won silver in the 50-kilometre walk, which makes him the most successful Australian male track athlete in Olympic history. Peter Bishop was named Coach of the Year. Well done to Peter Bishop—truly outstanding.

The Program Sportsperson of the Year included canoe sprinter Callum Dunn; in cycling, Callum Scotson; in diving, Grant Nel; in hockey, Cameron White; in netball, Emily Burgess; in rowing, James McRae; in swimming, Kyle Chalmers; and in beach volleyball, Zachery Schubert. Congratulations to all of South Australia's elite sportspeople.

Time expired.

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