AUSTRALIAN Olympian Michelle Bromley, footballer Alyse Oppedisano and baseballer Ben Karakasis are the monthly July winners in the 2023-24 TWT Club Six/Ryde Sports Foundation Sports Star monthly Awards which were presented at the Gladesville RSL Club by Rob Wilkinson, the Ryde Sports Foundation Chairman and Director Jim Hull OAM.
ALYSE OPPEDISANO – FOOTBALL
ALYSE OPPEDISANO, is a NSW football (soccer) goalkeeper who started playing junior football with the Gladesville Ravens as a 12-year-old.
As a junior player she gravitated towards being a goalkeeper, her early development was the beginning of a fast track journey as an accomplished youth goalkeeper.
Oppedisano was identified and joined the North West Football Academy, a prestigious football development organisation in the area.
Goalkeeper Coach Stephen Bott invited Alyse to trial for the Gladesville Ravens FC National Premier League (NPL) 2 Youth U14 Team where she made the squad and then helped her NPL 2 team be promoted to the NPL 1.
Her journey continued with further talent and pathway opportunities, including Oppedisano being recognised and offered a spot in the Football NSW Institute U18 squad as well as a co-offer to move to Westfield Sports High to further her education and football.
Recently, her Football NSW Institute team won the National Youth Championships after a penalty shoot-out thriller.
Oppedisano stated, “being a goalkeeper is an important position, you have to manage stress and keep your head up at all times”
Elise wishes to pursue a professional football career, perhaps one day representing Australia.
BEN KARAKASIS – BASEBALL
BEN KARAKASIS is an accomplished baseballer with a focus on refining his pitching skills for Major League Baseball in the future.
Karakasis had humble beginnings as a six-year-old playing baseball in the local area.
Ben has been on the rise in Australian baseball circles, firstly being selected in the NSW U16 team, and more recently he was selected to play in the Australian team to compete at the Baseball World Cup.
Karakasis was at a Major League Baseball camp in Arizona which had many Major League Coaches and scouts present, he was excited about “one day playing in the big leagues” he said.
Karakasis is looking to pursue a US College Division 1 sports scholarship in the future, to further develop his skills as a pitcher, refining his technique in curve balls and other styles
MICHELLE BROMLEY – TABLE TENNIS
Australian Olympian MICHELLE BROMLEY is a seasoned table tennis player.
Bromley was born into the sport, her whole family and grandparents were participants of ‘ping pong’ which is quite popular in Asia. Her two brothers played ping pong at a competitive level, playing in the Bennelong Cup organised by local Andrew Hill.
Bromley said “it has been a fun journey doing something that I love”.
Michelle is juggling her training with her experienced Chinese-Australian coach ‘JP’, she somehow manages work at Nestle in a marketing role, husband and a baby which at times can be pretty gruelling.
Her biggest change in life recently was the birth of her baby, “something that inspires her ‘why’ everyday.”
After failing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, she thought her chances of representing Australia were slim.
However at the end of May 2024, she reached Australia’s Top 12 table tennis players and was selected to represent Australia.
RSF chairman Rob Wilkinson thanked Gladesville RSL for hosting the second presentation event of monthly winners for 2023-24.
”Of course, Gladesville RSL is part of Club 6 – which also includes North Ryde RSL, Club Ryde, North Ryde Golf Club, Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club and Gladesville Sporties,” he said.
“The generous ongoing financial support received from Club 6 helps Ryde Sports Foundation continue its work, recognising and celebrating local sporting talent.”
For more information on how to nominate a Sports Star, visit: staging.rydesportsfoundation.com.au/award-nomination/
(* Courtesy of The Weekly Times)
