News Archive

The WAIS Awards took place on Thursday night, with some of the best Western Australian athletes and coaches up for the accolades.

In the Athlete of the Year category, six women and four men made the 10 person shortlist. Swimmers Holly Barratt (UWA alumni) and Brianna Throssell (UWA-West Coast) were nominated after their success in 2017 domestic competitions and selection to the FINA World Championships in Budapest.

The eventual winner was eight-time track cycling world champion Cameron Meyer. After deciding to hang up his wheels at aged 28, Cameron made a surprise return with his eyes firmly set on Tokyo 2020.

UWA-West Coast star Tamsin Cook held the junior title for the past two years, but in 2017 a new name was to be etched in WAIS history, with athletes from eight different sports earning selection on the shortlist.

Hockey star Georgia Wilson (UWA student athlete) and Tim Putt (UWA Torpedoes) gained their nominations through national representation, while Bronwyn Cox (UWA Boat Club) and Jemima Horwood (UWA-West Coast) both represented the Australian youth teams in their respective sports.

The Junior Award went to Bronwyn Cox along with her Australia U23 team mate Annabelle McIntyre, with Georgia Wilson also named in the top three. This award continues an amazing year for the pair, after being awarded joint Oarswoman of the Year at the recent Rowing WA 2017 Rower of the Year Awards.

Bronwyn and Annabelle earnt selection to the Australian U23 squad earlier this year, under the guidance of WAIS coach Rhett Ayliffe. The highlight of their partnership came with a second place finish at the World Championships in Bulgaria.

UWA-West Coast’s Mick Palfrey and team won the WAIS Program of the Year for Challenge HPTC Swimming.

Meanwhile, men’s water polo coach Paul Oberman was awarded Coach of the Year.

WAIS athletes and coaches will now look towards improving fitness and skills in the short window of time until the Commonwealth Games in April next year.

Media references

Louis Humberstone

Graduate Officer, UWA Sport Marketing, Communication, and Events

[email protected]

6488 3768