Goonellabah athlete Joshua Lee has taken out the coveted Athlete of the Year Award at the North Coast Academy of Sport’s Awards Night at the C.ex Club in Coffs Harbour 29 June 2019.
Lee has had an outstanding year which culminated in the 15 year old being named in the Australian Under 18 White-water Kayaking Team to go to the World Championships in Bosnia next month.
He was chosen from the 220 athletes that have been involved in the programmes NCAS runs across 10 sports over the last 12 months.
The annual “Athlete of the Year” Award is presented in honour of the late Darrel Chapman who is acknowledged as being a driving force behind NCAS’s establishment in 1989. Chapman was also the inaugural head of department of Southern Cross University’s exercise science and sport management program which commenced in 1987
Executive Director of NCAS, Mr John Kincade, stated that Joshua was an example of the outstanding sporting talent that exists in the region.
“Joshua is an incredible story, he only began paddling two years ago and has already established himself as one of the most promising talents in Australian Canoeing,”
“NCAS has had an outstanding year with athletes excelling at all levels of competition,” Mr Kincade said.
Joshua presentation was made at the “Academy Awards” which were attended by over 150 guests including athletes, family members, coaches, managers, committee members and sponsors, acknowledged the multitude of efforts achieved by athletes whose programs were completed in 2018-19.
The annual awards also allowed NCAS to recognise and thank the various ClubsNSW members on the North Coast that sponsor its sport programs. These sponsorships, which fall in line with ClubsNSW’ s support for regional community development helps reduce program costs and provide the quality coaching and sports education modules to its athletes.
Please see list below of all award winners from the night.
L-R Colin Robinson (NSW Government – Office of Sport – Regional Manager), David Doyle (Chair – C.ex Club), Joshua Lee, David Arthur (Chair – North Coast Academy of Sport)
NCAS Academy Award Winners 2019
Most Outstanding
AFLW 2018/19 April Devine
Basketball Boys 2018/19 Finn McIntyre
Basketball Girls 2018/19 Keira Williams
Cycling 2018/19 Asher Fawle
Golf 2018/19 Reilly Wunderlich
Golf Development 2018/19 Jack Pache
Netball 2019 Lola Hutchinson
Lone Star – Kayak 2018/19 Joshua Lee
Rowing 2018/19 Matthew Catania
Surf Life Saving 2018/19 Lily O’Sullivan
Tennis 2018/19 Charlie Pade
Most Improved
AFLW 2018/19 Demi Bowd
Basketball Boys 2018/19 Luke Smith
Basketball Girls 2018/19 Olivia Peel
Cycling 2018/19 Oscar Jakeman
Golf 2018/19 Emily Martin
Golf Development 2018/19 Harrison Wood
Netball 2019 Arrin Stirrat-Black
Rowing 2018/19 Ethan Davis
Surf Life Saving 2018/19 Jesse Hiatt
Tennis 2018/19 Blake Robertson
Encouragement Award
AFLW 2018/19 Chelsee Ryan
Basketball Boys 2018/19 Preston McGill
Basketball Girls 2018/19 Phailin McKibbon
Cycling 2018/19 Miren Davies
Golf 2018/19 Maddison McKee
Golf Development 2018/19 Talise Wenham
Netball 2019 Cassidy Pieren
Rowing 2018/19 Ashley Luland
Surf Life Saving 2018/19 Alyssa Golding
Tennis 2018/19 Samantha Hayman
Chairman’s Encouragement Award
Miren Davies Cycling 2019
Niki Taylor Memorial Award for Netball
Cian Leahy 2019
Indigenous Athlete of The Year
Lily Pade Tennis 2018/19
5 Service Award
Matthew Barlow – Board Member & Basketball
Elizabeth Shaw – Netball
10 Service Award
Rachelle Watson – Netball
Life Membership
Dr Dave Arthur – Chairman & Board Member