AWARDS

Wests Group Macarthur was thrilled to host the Wests Sports Council 24th Annual Sports Awards at a presentation night on Monday 21st October, with each winner and runner up recognised for their outstanding contributions to grassroots sport, sporting achievements, and sporting spirit.

The Wests Sports Council supports 30 sporting clubs and associations within the Macarthur region and provides clubs a way to recognise individual and team achievements, commitment, and contribution to local sport. The Council is an integral part of Wests Group Macarthur’s commitment to sport in the region and aims; “to create simple pathways for community access to affordable and well-administered sporting opportunities provided by a network of sporting clubs and associations”.

An independent voting panel judged the winners from numerous seasonal nominations across various categories, highlighting stories of great skill, achievement, and sportsmanship. The Wests Sports Council was pleased to welcome the finalists at Monday night’s presentation, with both runner-up and winner celebrated by an audience of over 150 attendees.

This feel-good evening saw guests treated with a menu of canapes and finger food including Lamb Cutlets, Prawns and Tacos and featured performances by local star and 2024 The Voice contestant Laura Glynn, as well as performances from local dance schools Centre Stage Dance and Prodigy Performing Arts.

We are pleased to share the following winners’ announcements.

WINNER Elite Sports Person of the Year – Natalie Van Coevorden, Macarthur Triathlon Club

Pictured: (Above) Natalie Van Coevorden, the Elite Sports Person of the Year 

Natalie Van Coevorden is originally a Glen Alpine gal and student from John Therry HS, and member of Macarthur Triathlon Club.  It has been a huge year for Natalie with the talented triallate selected for her first Australian Olympic Team for Paris 2024.

Natalie finished 42nd in the Individual race, her progress hampered by being caught behind a crash that saw her lose touch with the main chase group during the bike leg however Natalie stayed on to race the following week as part of the Australian Triathlon Mixed Relay team with the team finishing twelfth.

Natalie started off the year with a 10th place finish in the Oceania Championships and 31st in the World Cup Triathlon (both in New Zealand), all this despite a niggling leg injury and raced in the World Triathlon Championship Series events in Yokohama (Japan), Cagliari (Italy), and Hamburg (Germany).

WINNER Elite Sports Team of the Year – Women’s First Grade, Macarthur Rams Football Club

 Pictured: (Above) Macarthur Rams Football Club Women’s First Grade Team, Winner of the Elite Sports Team of the Year 

The Macarthur RAMS Women’s first grade team have achieved some truly amazing results this year. This incredible team of talent was crowed NPL Premiership Winners after finishing in first place at the end of the season and went on to win the 2024 NPL Grand Final at CommBank Stadium earlier in the year.

Winning both these trophies was last done all the way back in 2008 and gave the team a fairytale teat including a ‘three-peat’ of three consecutive Grand Final wins in three years.

In addition to team success, the group have experienced many individual successes amongst both players and personnel this season, with 10 players AND their coach unable to attend the awards night as they were away on A-League duties.

Team members: Coach: Stephen Peters, Assistant Coaches: Pete Nowakowski & Jon Maddox, Manager: Sandra Santaps, Playing Squad: Amalia Plummer, Bethany Gordon, Bronte Trew, Chelsea Barton, Chloe Gordon, Chrystal Duggan, Danielle Bishop, Danielle Bartels, Darcey Malone, Emily Wilson, Erin Gordon, India Breier, Kelli Brown, Kiara Rochaix, Lara Dipple, Libby Morris, Lola Sossai, Madison Mccomasky, Maya Lobo, Melissa Caceres, Miku Sunaga, Olivia Sloan, Tegan Bertolissio, Tenealle Hay and Teresa Morrissey.

 WINNER Junior Sportsperson of the Year (U12) – Kauri Twentyman, Eschol Park Little Athletics

Runner Up: Junior Sportsperson of the Year (U12) – Harrison Caulfield, Magpies Cricket Club

WINNER Youth Sportsperson of the Year (12 – 16yrs) – Isla Basa, Macarthur BMX

Runner Up: Youth Sportsperson of the Year (12 – 16yrs)- Ana Scott Jokatama, Campbelltown Harlequin Rugby Club

WINNER Senior Sportsperson of the Year – Robert Picken, Macarthur Triathlon Club

Runner Up: Senior Sportsperson of the Year – Sally Fuesaina, Campbelltown Harlequin Rugby Club

WINNER Sports Club Team of the Year – Camden Rugby League Football Club, First Grade Team

Runner Up: Sports Club Team of the Year – Campbelltown City Kangaroos Rugby League Football Club, U18 Girls

WINNER Match Official of the Year – Matthew Galvin, Group 6 Rugby League Referees Association

Runner Up: Spirit of Sport- Caitlin Wright, Camden & District Netball Association

WINNER Spirit of Sport – Colin Rose, Tennis Macarthur

 Runner Up: Spirit of Sport- Lynne Gardner, Macquarie Fields Swim Club

Martin Bullock, Wests Group Macarthur Sports Secretary says, “We have witnessed another amazing year of dedication and enthusiasm from around our sporting community. It is an absolute pleasure to recognise and reward these outstanding achievements and appreciate the commitment from all the club personnel to supply fantastic nominations from their respective clubs and associations”.

In addition to the sports awards program, Wests Group Macarthur also provides a substantial amount of funding each year towards the ongoing success of each member club and association and other awards programs such as Volunteer of the year. The Wests Sports awards celebrates 25 years of the program in 2025.

For more on the Wests Sports Council and Wests Group commitment to being the Home of Sport visit www.westslc.com.au/Sport.