A crowded full house greeted athletes at the Annual Awards and Presentation evening of IBS held last Saturday. Not only were athletes rewarded for their fine efforts of season 2017/2018 but it gave them a chance to meet up again after one of the clubs best seasons for some time. President Geoff Hynoski paid tribute to the efforts of the athletes and in particular the strong 2nd placing in the Hooper Cup, and the assistance given to both the country titles and the conduct of the Illawarra Track Challenge.
Awards were divided between juniors, seniors and masters athletes with junior male Rhys Barnes taking out the overall men’s point score and open female athlete Rebecca Dos Santos the Women’s. Newcomer to the sport John Hogg took out the men’s Masters overall point score and was also awarded the Elvire Asprey Award for Masters Athletes. Female Masters champion Gianna Mogentale was a convincing winner of the Women’s Masters point score.
Sprinter & Open Male athlete Lachlan Parry was declared the Male Sprinter of the Year and then backed up to take out the Most Outstanding Athletic Performance for his feats at both State and National level. Female Masters athlete June Lowe was the winner of the Outstanding female Athletic Performance for her overall great performances in country, state and national titles, whilst Mary Thomas shared the Thrower of the year with under 20 state rep Marie-Luise Meier.
Walker Jake Attwell again took out Walker of the Year for his great performance at both country, state and national level, having moved up an age bracket and tackling the gruelling 5km walks.
Junior athletes Jye Schumack and Maya Bos-Woods collected the Jumpers of the Year, Jye clearing the magical 2m this season and Maya establishing herself as one of the “finds of the season”. Again it was a junior sprinter/hurdler Grace Adams who collected the Female Sprinter of the Year for her outstanding efforts both at All Schools and National U16 titles.
Leith Babian and Jessica Hogg were named Middle/Long Distance Athletes of the Year. U12 all-rounder Joshua Smith not only took out his age point score but was named Juvenile Athlete of the Year (U12). The award for Promising Distance Athletes went to newcomers Rawinia Reid and Jake Babian both showing outstanding potential over the longer distances.
Sisters Toyah and Kaisha Edwards went home with the Female Sportsmanship and Continued support to Club whilst Colin Clarson was named the Men’s equivalent. Ideal Club man was Wayne Adams with Ideal Club Woman Ashleigh Hogg. Wayne’s wife Amanda was not going to be left out being named Loyal Support to club and Community Welfare along with Ian Smith. Both people give a lot of time to the club and also to outside community activities.
The President’s Award was taken out by John Lamb for his great performances, his support to the club, and living outside the area. The GE and JH Loomes award was presented to John Munro and Kaitlyn Neto for John’s support to all club members and nurturing them as much as possible including Kaitlyn who showed that she is prepared to listen and learn as much as possible in an official capacity. No club can operate without officials and this year the Officials Award was shared by tireless workers Sally Barnes and Julie Bird. The Rookie Masters of the Year were presented to partners Mark Matthews and Jodie Redmond for their fine efforts at club and country level for their first year in the sport.
The Braeden Gibbins Award was an emotional time for mum Cassie and twin brother Reece as they presented the award to sprinters Liam Ryan and Ashlyn Adams, encouraging them both to continue in the sport and especially in sprinting and hurdling. In the field, the Encouragement award went to all round field athlete Nick Norton and thrower Grace Meier.
Presentations were also made to the club’s 3 Commonwealth Games Officials, John Munro, Ann Grimm and Jodie Sundstrom, who spoke on their great experience of being an official at such an important event.