Recognition for cyclist Andrew Phillips and netballer Alison Miller.
By Anthony Stavrinos*
YOUNG CYCLIST Andrew Phillips and netballer Alison Miller are the final two 2022-23 Ryde Sports Foundation Sports Star of the Year monthly winners.
Alison, 26, and 18-year-old Andrew were announced as the 11th and 12th monthly winners at a special event hosted by Club Ryde on June 23, attended by the winners’ families, representatives of Club 6, the group of local licensed clubs which supports the RSF; RSF representatives and Ryde councillors Bernard Purcell and Katie O’Reilly.
“Andrew only commenced competitive cycling in July 2020, racing for the first time at the prestigious Hunter Junior Tour, however he has made incredible progress since then racing with distinction in U/19 national-level competition,” said Sinclair Taylor, an official of Neo Cycling Club, who nominated Andrew for the award.
“In January 2022, Andrew placed second at the National Road Cycling Championships, U/19 Criterium.
“This was a standout performance as Andrew was effectively racing solo against others racing in teams and had had limited opportunity to race in the 18 months since his first competitive race due to the Covid pandemic.”
In June and July 2022, Andrew was selected by AusCycling NSW to race in Europe with Dutch development team TWC Maaslandster Zuid-Limburg.
“Andrew spent five weeks racing in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany,” Mr Taylor said.
“This partnership with TWC Maaslandster Zuid-Limburg aims to create pathway to elite level cycling on an international stage.”
Alison was nominated for her award by Eastwood Ryde Netball Association (ERNA) president Karen Waud OAM.
“Allison is a mother and has played at a Premier League level for the ERNA Hawks over the past seven years,” Ms Waud said.
“She is an outstanding player with a very calm attitude.”
Last July, Alison was chosen – along with ERNA team mates Brooke Paterson, Jessica Conlan and Sophie Fawns – to represent the NSW Swifts at netball’s Australian National Championships.
Both Alison and Andrew will be presented, along with ten other monthly Sports Star winners, to guests at this year’s Ryde Sports Foundation Sports Star of the Year Gala Presentation Dinner on Friday, August 4 at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club.
*courtesy of The Weekly Times
