Further Information
The annual UWA Sports Awards, held on Wednesday 18 November at the UWA Water Sports Complex, celebrated the achievements of UWA clubs and student athletes over the past year.
Clubs and Athletes Celebrated at 2020 UWA Sports Awards
Despite facing many challenges in sport during 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was still plenty to celebrate.
The evening, presented by UWA Sport General Manager Ian Fitzpatrick, was attended by a variety of members of the UWA Sport community.
Special guests included Deputy Vice-Chancellor David Sadler, Chair of the UWA Sport Advisory Council Ross Kelly, UWA Sports Council President Max Qua, and UWA Director of Student Life Chris Massey.
Club Service Awards were received by Georgia Macdonald (UWA Netball Club), Katherine Manderson (UWA Volleyball Club), Varun Mukhedkar (UWA Ultimate Club), and Thea Pulbrook (UWA Ultimate Club).
Club Letters were awarded to Grace Skinner (UWA Netball Club), Phillip Madden (UWA Triathlon Club), Ella Pardy (UWA Athletics Club), Desiree Tan (UWA Volleyball Club), Shane Westlake (UWA Rugby Club), Barry Cahill (UWA Rugby Club), and Benjamin Cairns (UWA Rugby Club).
In a celebration of 100 years of Sports Council, outgoing and incoming Sports Council presidents Max Qua and Katherine Sparrow introduced the return of the Blues Blazer, which will now be available for purchase by all Blues award recipients.
The latest student athletes to join the Blues family were also recognised, with Connor O’Sullivan (Rugby), Emma Bond (Swimming), Hugh Moran (Swimming), Natasha Main (Ultimate), Charlotte Owens (Ultimate) and Pippa Pedley (Water Polo) all awarded half blues.
Rower Johnson Daubney was awarded the 2020 Convocation Sports Bursary, with Pippa Pedley picking up a second award of the night as the recipient of the WM Nunn Bursary, and Anika Gosling (athletics) the recipient of the Indigenous Sports Bursary.
The 2020 Sports Star of the Year was awarded to student athlete and West Coast Fever superstar Courtney Bruce.Courtney enjoyed a standout year, rising to the challenges of a hub-based Super Netball Season, and captaining her team to a spot in the Grand Final.
Although Courtney was unavailable, she was able to accept the award with a short video message.
Courtney joins more than 50 students in receiving the award, including 2019 winner Nathan Fyfe.
UWA Sport thanks Convocation for their ongoing support and contribution to this award.
Coach of the Year was awarded to Grant Landers of UWA Triathlon Club, in recognition of his achievements in 2020.
Grant has been a long standing High Performance coach at the UWA Triathlon Club for the past 20 years.
In 2020, Grant was Sport Coach Manager for UniSport Triathlon Championships, where Team UWA won the overall Champion University with male athletes placing 1st and 2nd in the UniSport competition.
Adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, Grant lead online training sessions pandemic (bike & stretching) where members could connect interstate and internationally.
With their coach already recognised, UWA Triathlon Club were named Champion Club, with UWA Sport General Manager Ian Fitzpatrick acknowledging the dedication and hard-work of all clubs in adapting to the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Congratulations to all who won awards, and thank you to all who attended.
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
