The Committee would like to thank everyone who attended the AGM and Presentation on Saturday 30th April. We had a great turn out of families representing cross country, road running and track and field. It was great to see so many people in attendance – certainly the most people we have had for a number of years.
We had so many worthy nominees this year, choosing winners was not an easy feat! Congratulations to everyone who was nominated.
- John Morris Encouragement Award – this is awarded each year to a junior Club member 15 years of age or under competing in Cross country in the 2 or 3km distance. It is for a member who competes regularly, tries hard and shows improvement.
Nominees: Lily Sproule, Evie Smart, Harry Thomson, Zoe Musson
Winner – Lily Sproule
Lily contested the 3kms last season and worked hard every week she competed, pushing through the field from her handicap start. Lily might not have crossed the line in a top three position, but she often clocked one of the fastest times in her event.
Lily is a quiet achiever with a positive attitude, always trying hard and demonstrating persistence and consistent improvement over the season. Well done, Lily!
Lily’s award was presented on the day by the talented long distance runner Rob McDonald.
- Ian Henry Nowra Toyota Encouragement Award – this is awarded each year to a senior member competing in the medium or long distance events at cross country who competes regularly, tries hard and shows improvement.
Nominees: Alex Arnold, Steve O’Connor, Alison Havadjia, Rob Woods
Winner – Alex Arnold
Alex competed in almost every round of cross country in 2021, contesting the medium distance. Alex is another quiet achiever, consistently working hard to improve his times. He often managed to feature in the top 3 places, as a result of his persistence and focus. Alex is a loyal supporter of Nowra Athletics Club, always willing to lend a hand where he can. Congratulations Alex.
Unfortunately Alex was not present to collect his award.
- Neville Markham Distance Runner of the Year Award is presented each year in memory of Neville Markham who was an outstanding age group runner through the 1980’s and 1990’s for Nowra and very involved at a club level. This is for a club member who competes in a variety of long distance events through summer and winter and achieves a ‘notable’ result or results.
Nominees: Peter Khourey, Damian Smith, Ming Leung, Sabina Hamaty
Winner – Ming Leung
Ming is a focused and motivated runner who constantly seeks new distance challenges. He exhibits toughness and bravery to continually put himself through another marathon event. His most recent race was the marathon at the Canberra Running Festival where he clocked 3.55.21 and was 50th in the 50-59 years group.
To date, he has completed 40 marathons with his 41st to occur on 1st May 2022. Ming is proof that it’s not always about being the fastest! Persistence, patience, endurance and resilience are winners!
Ming’s award was presented by Rob McDonald.
- Club Performance Award – In 2018 the Committee introduced a new award for Club Performance. This award is for a member who performs well at a Club level with regular participation, personal improvement and support of the Club. This person may not necessarily compete further afield but is a strong supporter of the local Club competition and always gives their best.
Nominees: Kerrie Jones, Matt Reid, Emily McLaren, Brad Sawyers
Winner – Brad Sawyers
Brad was consistently the fastest competitor across cross country medium distance last season as well as also being the fastest competitor in the Summer Road runs. Brad regularly completed Park Run on Saturday morning before backing up for cross country in the afternoon. Brad is a long-standing member of Nowra Athletics Club and always performs well on the course. He pushes himself to go harder and faster, always rising to the challenge of his handicap start. He is a gutsy runner, competing with energy and enthusiasm. Congratulations Brad!
- Harry Scouller Award –this award was introduced in 2016 in honour of one of Nowra’s finest young athletes. Harry Scouller competed in cross country and events from 400m to 3000m and wore the green and gold of Australia in the 800m at the Oceania Championships in Cairns, which he won. Harry sadly passed away aged just 21-years-old, from an epileptic seizure. In honour of his amazing athletic career the Harry Scouller Award was introduced for talented/promising young track and field athletes. There were several talented athletes nominated this year.
Nominees: Denzel Atkinson, Amelia May, Tsar Mandavy, Harrison Baxter, Charlie Heidke, Cooper Barrett, Nic McGill, Reilly Caswell
Winner – Nic McGill
Nic is relatively new to Nowra Athletics Club and to the sport of athletics. In a very short time, he has improved his technique, his results and his times.
Nic made his Country debut at Maitland in January 2022 and took to the track in his first ever steeplechase, competing up an age group and earned himself a bronze medal. Nic added another bronze medal to his name with a 3rd place in the U15 800m.
At NSW Junior Championships in February 2022 Nic competed in the steeplechase and took the silver medal in 6.58.45, which was under the National Qualifying time.
At the 2022 Australian Track & Field Championships Nic ran the race of his life in the U15 steeplechase to claim the silver National medal in 6.42.67 which was a massive 17 second PB. It was a bold and courageous run with a thrilling finish.
Nic’s amazing results are the product of his consistent dedication to training, his fearlessness and his determination to improve. HUGE congratulations Nic.
Life member Terry Bailey presented Nic with his well-earned award.
- Frank McCaffrey Award is presented in commemoration of the founder of the Nowra Athletics Club. Frank was instrumental in starting NAC in 1960 and was a driving force in the first few years and a regular visitor and supporter after leaving the Club. This award is for a great performance by an individual club member or club team during the previous 12 months of the athletic season and is awarded to someone whose achievements ‘stand out’ and to someone who is actively involved in supporting NAC.
Nominees: Erin Smart, Max Marshall, Kerrie Jones, Nic McGill, Matt Reid
Winner – Erin Smart
Erin was a stand out winner as a result of her many stand out performances. It is difficult to condense Erin’s performances down to a few short paragraphs, so let’s highlight just 3 recent competitions.
At Country Championships in January 2022, Erin won the 40-49 years 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m.Erin set a new ‘best on record’ time in the 200, 400m, and 800m, and very close to breaking the 100m record. Erin’s 800m performance, in particular was fantastic with a hard-fought win in a closely-contested race.
In the NSW Masters Championships in March 2022, Erin contested 5 events and took home gold in all 5 races! Erin won the 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m.
At the 2022 Australian Masters Athletics Championships in April, Erin again made a clean sweep of all the events she contested, taking gold in 60m, 100m, 200, 400m and 800m.
Erin’s success is well-earned with a terrific commitment to athletics and training. Erin is also an incredible supporter of other athletes within the Club and is the loudest and most enthusiastic cheerer.
Erin’s award was presented to her by esteemed athlete and former coach Pat Greene.
- High Achievement Award –this award is for a club athlete who has achieved high results in state, national or international competition throughout the previous year.
This year we had a number of junior athletes qualify for the Australian Track and Field Championships making them worthy nominees:
Max Marshall (U15 100m and 200m)
Kynan Miller (U15 para shot, discus)
Akala Miller (U20 100m, 200m)
Amelia May (U17 1500m and 3000m)
Tom Duncan (U16 steeplechase)
Samantha Peace (open discus)
Harrison Baxter (U17 steeplechase)
Emily McLaren (U15 steeplechase)
Nic McGill (U15 steeplechase)
We also had masters athletes competing at State and National level warranting more worthy nominations for Erin Smart, Kerrie Jones, and Matt Reid.
Winner – Max Marshall
Max’s successes are numerous so again, it is difficult to report all his excellent results here, so we’ll look at just a few recent competitions.
At 2022 Country Champs Max took the sprint double in the U15 age group. In the 100m, he was just shy of the best on record performance. Then in the 200m he streaked away from his competitors, crossing the line first in 23.45, breaking a 37-year-old record!
At NSW Junior Championships in February Max took the win in the U15 100m and 200m to become the NSW dual State champion.
The week before, Max also won both the 100m and 200m at the Athletics ACT Championships in Woden.
At the Australian Championships, Max competed in the U15 100m where he took the silver medal. In the 200m he claimed gold with a shiny new PB of 22.96 to become the Under15 200m National Champion!
Congratulations to a very talented young athlete!
Max was presented his award by Pat Greene.
- Club Person/Volunteer of the Year – for a member who volunteers and supports the club all year and goes ‘above and beyond’.
Winner –Dean Bryce & Darlene Musgrove
– Dean Bryce has been instrumental in organising road run programs, and venues, getting courses prepared and rallying members to enjoy social gatherings. Dean is a reliable member of the Club, always offering a hand whenever he can to make an impact. Dean is easy going, energetic, enthusiastic and passionate member.
– Darlene Musgrove was recognised for her contribution to all things publicity, and thanked for her many hours of time and effort to keep everyone informed.
- Cadbury Running Series Award – this is the Summer Road Run Series award.
Winner – Eva Moeller-Duhme. Unfortunately Eva was not in attendance to accept her award, but will, no doubt be thrilled to receive this award. Eva is always enthusiastic about running and always gives her very best. She demonstrates ‘on track’ persistence, resilience, calmness and composure.
Finally, a little bit about our guest presenters:
Rob McDonald is a Nowra Athletics Life member and running coach. Rob was a leading NSW distance runner in the ‘70s and ‘80s. During his career he won Australian medals on the track, over cross country and on the road. He also represented Australia at three World Cross Country Championships. In 1975 and 1980, the then Sydney University athlete claimed the NSW Cross Country titles. Rob also holds the record for King of the Mountain course – 1 hour 51 minutes 12 seconds for 20 very tough miles!
Pat Greene is a Nowra Athletics Life member, former club coach and father of athlete Paul Greene who finished 4th in the 400 metres at the 1994 Commonwealth Games and who also competed at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Pat is also a former NSW long jump champion and Patron of Sydney Uni Athletics.
The Club was honoured to have these athletes at the Presentation, and thanks them for taking time out of their day to come and present awards and share a little about themselves.