The South West Academy of Sport once again celebrated the outstanding achievements of its athletes, coaches, and sporting community at the prestigious 2023/24 Awards Night, held on Saturday, 8th February, at the Old Lyric Theatre, Bunbury. The night showcases the hard work, dedication, and passion of the region’s sporting talent, with eight awards presented to deserving recipients.

SWAS takes immense pride in fostering the development of young athletes, providing them with the necessary support to reach their full potential on both national and international stages. The awards night was not just about accolades but also about reflecting on the journeys, sacrifices, and perseverance of these athletes throughout the year.

The top award of the evening, Sports Star of the Year, was claimed by cycling sensation Connor Wright. His impressive list of achievements in 2023/24 includes:

• International Success: Oceania Champion in MTB Cross Country U17, representation for Australia in the AusCycling Junior Europe Tour in the Czech Republic, where he secured two victories.
• National Titles: Junior Mountain Bike Rider of the Year, National Champion in MTB Cross Country U17, Short Course U17, and Open Relay events.
• Dominance in Road Racing: National Champion in Road Criterium U17 and winner of the AusCycling National MTB Cup Series U17 across all rounds.

Image: Connor Wright – Sport Star of the Year winner with award sponsor The Apprentice and Traineeship Company CEO – Joe Valenti 

“2023-2024 was definitely a huge year of sweat and pain working towards my career and to have the work rewarded and achievements acknowledged with the South West Academy of Sport Western Australia Individual Male Athlete Award AND The Sports Star of the year award is just huge!!

Thank you to all the SWAS sponsors, my team sponsors and my family and friends for all the support.” Connor Wright – Sport Star of the Year winner.

 Alongside Wright, a host of talented athletes were recognized for their exceptional performances:

• Wally Foreman Coach of the Year: Keith Old (Hockey) – Sponsored by Monadelphous
• Emerging Star of the Year: Finnlay Caruana (Kayaking)
• Team Male Athlete of the Year: Clay Hall (AFL)
• Team Female Athlete of the Year: Grace Millichamp (Netball) & Dakota Sexton (AFLW)
• Individual Male Athlete of the Year: Connor Wright (Cycling) – Sponsored by RCR Mining Technologies
• Individual Female Athlete of the Year: Gemma Buckle (Athletics) – Sponsored by Summit Realty South West
• Connor Lambert Community Achiever of the Year: Otis North (Surfing)

SWAS Executive Officer Rachel Norman reflected on the significance of the evening and the role SWAS plays in shaping the future of sport in the region:

“It was an incredible evening to celebrate sport and the important role the Academy has to play in the development of athletes, coaches, and pathways in the South West. The South West Academy of Sport Board and Team are excited to grow the program, support more athletes, connect further with WAIS, State, and National Sporting bodies, and contribute to Western Australia’s elite sporting success. Watch this space—you’re going to want to be part of this journey.”

Such a prestigious event would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors, including The Apprentice & Traineeship Co, Summit Realty, RCR Mining Technologies, Monadelphous, Nexus Advisernet, and Intersport Bunbury. Their continued investment in local talent ensures that aspiring athletes have access to the best resources, training, and opportunities to reach their goals.

The South West region continues to be a powerhouse of sporting talent, and with the unwavering support of the community, the future looks brighter than ever.