Olympic figure skater Brendan Kerry (pictured front) has claimed the 2021/22 TWT/Ryde Sports Foundation Sports Star of the Year title, while the Ryde Club 6 Encouragement Award was jointly presented to Muaythai boxer Yolanda Schmidt and netballer Nalyn Sirivivatnanon.
In a refreshing return to post-lockdown normality, more than 150 guests attended Ryde Sports Foundation’s 2021/22 Sports Star of the Year Awards Dinner on August 6 at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club.
“Once again, the Ryde Sports Foundation has showcased an impressive array of sporting talent, at our 2021/22 Awards Dinner,” RSF chairman Rob Wilkinson told The Weekly Times.
“The vast range of outstanding sports men and women, who live or ply their trade in this great city of Ryde, never ceases to amaze me.
“Congratulations to 12 very deserving Sports Stars.”
Accomplished TV sports presenter, Stephanie Brantz – who has been secured by World Football’s governing body FIFA for its FIFA TV channel during the World Cup in Qatar in November – did a remarkable job hosting the event.
She interviewed all eleven of the 12 Sports Stars who attended, but couldn’t have been prepared for the impromptu backflip on stage by acrobatic Sports Star of the Year, Brendan Kerry.
Pictured above with the extended Ryde Sports Foundation (RSF) family are the 12 monthly 2021/2 Sports Star winners: Ruby Worrell (Athletics); Zac Sheerin (Touch Football); Eliza McKenzie (Netball); Jack Lenton (Baseball); Nalyn Sirivivatnanon (Netball, joint Encouragement Award winner); Nathan Czinner (Hockey); Brendan Kerry (Figure Skater, Sports Star of the Year); Ameera Lee (Para-Archery); Maddison Chaseling (Football); Vidur Subramaniam (Golf); and Yolanda Schmidt (Muaythai Boxing, joint Encouragement Award winner).
Another Sports Star, swimmer Se-Bom Lee, was at the Commonwealth Games and unable to attend Friday’s event, but sent a video message from Birmingham, where he just missed out on a medal after competing in the finals of the 200m and 400m Individual Medley events.
“The Ryde Sports Foundation has yet again demonstrated why Ryde is the very best place to kickstart a sporting career,” RSF Patron, Ryde Mayor Jordan Lane said.
“As patron of the Foundation, it was a privilege to help recognise some remarkable talent, from a diverse range of sports. I’m particularly proud of the young people who I know will go on to represent not only our local community, but also our state and our nation as many athletes supported by the Ryde Sports Foundation have before them.”
Also recognised was former Australian Olympic Committee vice president Helen Brownlee (pictured far right of front row above), who was presented with the RSF’s Contribution to Sport Award for her decades of service to her sport of canoeing and the Olympic movement.
Nominations are now open for the 2022/23 Sports Star of the Year.
Club, association and federation officials can submit their Sports Star nominations at:
rydesportsfoundation.com.au/award-nomination/
By Anthony Stavrinos – The Weekly Times
