With the 2021 WRAS Presentation Night moving online, we were still able to acknowledge our graduating athletes, their achievements and our incredible squad staff.
Kalinda Robinson (Cycling) was named as the 2021 WRAS Athlete of the Year, following a dominant year in the velodrome.
She was selected to represent Australia at the World Junior Track Championships in Egypt, although the event was cancelled due to COVID. She was also selected by Cycling Australia as a developing athlete in the National Track Sprint Program, was a recipient of the NSW Commonwealth Games Grant for her outstanding talent and potential and is a NSWIS Scholarship holder. At the 2021 National Track Championships Robinson claimed one gold, two silver and one bronze medals while at the 2021 NSW Track Championships she claimed four gold medals.
Cushla Rue (Lone Star – Football) was announced as the 2021 WRAS Athlete of the Year runner up.
This year, Cushla was selected in the future Matildas Squad and recieved an invitation to the Opens Age Group Matildas Women’s Talent ID Camp. She was nationally identified as a top 50 female Australian soccer player, a top 30 athlete for her age group (u20’s) and went through the Young Matilda’s selection process for the u20’s Australian team for the ’22 World Cup.
The Chairman’s Award for Excellence was presented to Zoe McAneney (Netball) of Dubbo. As a dedicated student, Zoe goes above and beyond at every opportunity, balancing her school leadership commitments, part-time work and athletic pursuits.
The Squad Athletes of the Year (highest achiever in their sport) were:
AFL Tasmyn Davies (Hampton)
Basketball Charlie McCormack (Ariah Park)
Cycling Kalinda Robinson (O’Connell)
Golf Cooper Starkey (Bathurst)
Hockey Kelsey Webb (Bathurst)
Lone Star- Football Cushla Rue (Bathurst)
Netball Hope Coombes (Bathurst)
Para Sports – Athletics Aaron Houston (Bathurst)
The Coach’s Award recipients (for the most dedicated or improved athlete) were:
AFL Paige Lowe (Bathurst)
Basketball Lara Winterton (Dubbo), Jai Simcoe (Lithgow),
Roxy George (Bathurst) and Emily Winterton (Dubbo)
Cycling Daniel Googe (Bathurst)
Hockey Addison Chapman (Orange) and Ashton McDonald (Lithgow)
Netball Makayla McKeown (Geurie)
The Chairman’s Award recipients (overall excellence) were:
AFL Jade Leven (Bathurst)
Basketball Phoebe Moller (Bathurst)
Cycling Ebony Robinson (O’Connell)
Hockey Jordan Moody (Parkes)
Lone Star – Athletics Ella Penman (Dubbo)
Netball Zoe McAneney (Dubbo)
The Strength and Conditioning Award recipients (for the most dedicated or improved athlete in S&C sessions) were:
Cycling Cadel Lovett (Bathurst)
Hockey Meg Turner (Parkes)
Lone Star- Tennis Tayla Brasier (Bathurst)
Netball Zoe McAneney (Dubbo)
The Volunteer of the Year Award recipient was Mitch Bland for his continued commitment and enthusiasm as he goes above and beyond to ensure the WRAS cycling program is a success.