South Australian sport celebrates at the Adelaide Oval

Professionals, stakeholders, dignitaries and friends have applauded the success South Australian sport at the 2014 KPMG Celebration of South Australian Sport.

Held at the Adelaide Oval on Friday (7th November) the fifth year of the KPMG Celebration of South Australian Sport saw the presentation of the Sport SA Awards; The Advertiser Channel Seven Sports Star of the Year Awards and the induction of five new mmebers into The KPMG South Australian Sport Hall of Fame.

Presented in front of an audience of 450 people by Bruce Abernethy and Rosanna Mangiarelli from Channel Seven, Sport SA and partners Channel Seven and The Advertiser paid tribute to Robert Gerard AO with the Spirit of South Australia which was presented on only the second occasion. 

Gerard joins Marjorie Jackson-Nelson AC CVO MBE in this elite prestigious group and, in an entertaining interview by Margaret Ralston AM, he provided an insight into his passion and character.

This year saw five Inductees into the KPMG South Australian Sport Hall of Fame and Chris Burton OAM and Kerry O’Brien shared the highlights of outstanding sporting careers in interviews with Bruce Abernethy.

The team that places these athletes on the stage were recognised with the Sport SA Awards, presented to:

• OAMPS Insurance Brokers Administrator of the Year - Bowls SA Chief Executive, Mark Easton; 
• Print Junction Coach of the Year - cycling, Tim Decker; 
• Sunday Mail City Bay Fun Run Inc. Volunteer Award - Table Tennis, Cynthia Langley; 
• Club One Official of the Year - cycling, Ken Gooding;
• Brand SA Country Athlete of the Year - swiming, Simon Geldenhuys:
• Office for Recreation and Sport Event of the Year – Hammer Time (Croquet SA):
• South Australian school sport champions, 
• Richard Newman Primary School Sports Award, sponsored by the Department for Education & Child Development - Alex Haydon, squash (Henley Beach Primary School); and the
• Secondary School Sports Award, sponsored by Messenger Community News Limited - Jack Rossiter, shooting (Woodcroft College).

The Advertiser Channel Seven Sports Star of the Year Awards 2014 were presented to:

• Sports Star of the Year - Sam Willoughby (BMX)
• Team of the Year - Men’s Team Pursuit (cycling), Alexander Edmondson, Glenn O’Shea, Luke Davison, Miles Scotson, and Jack Bobridge
• Elite Athlete with a Disability of the Year - Jesse Aungles (swimming)
• Junior Sports Star of the Year - Alex Manly (cycling)
• Tanya Denver Award - Clare Lindop (jockey)
• People's Choice - Jess Trengove (athlete)

KPMG South Australian Sport Hall of Fame inductees

• Christine Burton OAM
• Lynette Fullston
• George Giffen 
• Colin Hayes AM OBE
• Kerry O’Brien

Commenting on the Awards, Sport SA Chief Executive Jan Sutherland explained “we are delighted to celebrate every aspect of sport, from the people on the fields, courts and pool, in the offices, training venues and schools with you.

"Sport SA brings the stories of our sport to you now and will ensure that we record and recognise these achievements for the future. 

"Thank you to our partners, members and friends for your support bringing our ambitious dream of this celebration to reality and ensuring that the profile of sport is at the forefront of the South Australian community.”

For more information go to www.sportsa.org.au

2014 Sport SA Awards Winners information and citations

Administrator of the year, sponsored by OAMPS Insurance Brokers
Mark Easton, Bowls
In the past year Mark has transformed the traditional game of Lawn Bowls across the State; regardless of sex, gender, disability, race and religion you will get a game of Bowls in all clubs. Mark has led the way within Bowls nationally with diversity and volunteer management.

Coach of the year, sponsored by Print Junction
Tim Decker, Cycling
Tim Decker’s passion and dedication to Cycling and athlete development is unsurpassed. Not only does Tim coach athletes to World Championship Titles and Commonwealth Games Gold Medals, he develops athletes as a whole, with a strong focus on facilitating Cyclists to meet their full potential, irrespective of their level.

Country Athlete of the year, sponsored by Brand South Australia
Simon Geldenhuys, Swimming
Simon lives in Whyalla and has had a very successful 12 months of swimming. His results include numerous state and country championship medals and the breaking of a number of country records. The highlight of the year was a silver Australian Age medal in the boys 12-13 years 50m freestyle.

Event of the Year, sponsored by the Office for Recreation and Sport 
Hammer Time, Croquet SA.
Hammer Time was a pilot program to attract young social sets to a vibrant new mixture of croquet coaching and play, hip hop dance, gourmet food, and music over three hours on four consecutive Friday nights. Instant brand success attracted Government backing for a three year state-wide rollout.

Official of the year sponsored by Club One
Ken Gooding, Cycling
Cycling in SA would find it hard to operate without someone as professional as Ken. His knowledge across the sport, dedication and ability to equally aid and support riders, clubs and officials goes above and beyond and for this Cycling is truly grateful.

Volunteer Award, sponsored by City – Bay Fun Run
Cynthia Langley, Table Tennis
Cynthia holds Directorship positions for TTSA, taking her volunteering time to over 43 years while still competing. Her advocacy for the sport has been essential for its development and provided great benefits for the community and participation. Throughout this time Cynthia has provided true honorary service in a volunteer capacity.

Richard Newman Primary School Sports Award, sponsored by the Department for Education and Child Development
Alex Haydon, Squash, Henley Beach High School
In July 2014 Alex was ranked number 1 both at the state and national level for the under 13 age group. She was selected to represent Australia in Penang, Malaysia as part of the Australian Junior Squash Team and was voted MVP by the 3 National coaches.

Secondary School Sports Award, sponsored by the Messenger Community News
Jack Rossiter, Shooting, from Woodcroft College
Jack is the current Australian Open and Junior Men’s record holder in the 10 metre Air Rifle and he competed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games finishing 10th. This year he has also represented Australia at the Junior and Senior World Cups in Germany and the World Championship in Spain.

24th August 2014 - SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SPORTS BUSINESS LEADERS JOIN AUSTRALIAN MASTERS GAMES BOARD

22nd November 2010 - CELEBRATING SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SPORTING SUCCESS