By Mrinal Asija; 28 November
This year’s top-performing student-athletes of the University have been honoured at the annual Blues and Sport Awards.
A tradition inspired by an Oxford and Cambridge practice, whose history goes back to the mid-19th century, the University Blues recognise the University of Melbourne’s student-athletes for their performance at intervarsity events including the UniSport Nationals and other endorsed intervarsity sporting events.
This year, 282 athletes represented the University at various intervarsity events. 78 of them were awarded a Half Blue or Full Blue.
Additionally, 55 student-athletes were honoured on the evening for representing their countries at international level, with four of them doing so at the highest sporting stage – the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
The evening started with Director of Sport Tim Lee acknowledging the year-round work done by the members of the University sports community to keep sport and sporting events running smoothly. He also thanked the Blues Advisory Group for their due diligence in the selection process.
Four-time Blues recipient and 2024 Olympian Sam Williamson delivered the keynote speech, talking the audience through his swimming journey and inspiring the recipients with his motivational words.
Williamson talked about taking up the sport after an awe-inspiring meeting with a member of the Australian Swim Team of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and then going on to become a Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 2022.
“There is no such thing as failure in sport. The only failure is the failure to learn,” were probably the most memorable words from the current 50m breaststroke World Champion in a speech laden with the message of the importance of hard work and perseverance.
The ceremony also featured a tribute to former Melbourne University Athletics Club coach, the late Terry Reade, delivered by his mentee, former national track athlete and member of the Sport Advisory Board Stephanie Spence.
Reade, who passed away in July after a short battle with motor neuron disease, had a 40-year-long association with MUAC. He joined the club in 1984 as a student-athlete and then transitioned into coaching, official and Team Manager roles.
Acknowledging his constant contribution to the University athletics community, Spence said, “Terry was a well-known figure around the sports precinct, being on-site most days.”
Reade was also a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award to Athletics in 2005 and a member of the Blues Advisory Group until last year.
Sports Awards Winners
Outstanding Sporting Achievement of the Year - Jemima Montag (Master of Public Health)
Jemima Montag won two bronze medals in Paris – in the Women's 20km Race Walk and the Mixed Marathon Walk Relay. The resilience shown by her in difficult conditions to not just finish the races but also push for the podium made her one of the most loved athletes in the country.
Finalists: Hayley Verbunt (Rowing), Putu Anastasia Kusmawan (Artistic Swimming), Georgia-Rose Brown (Artistic Gymnastics), Sophia Gregorevic (Athletics), Annabel Sutherland (Cricket), Lili Cavanagh (Baseball), Brodie Grundy (AFL)
Female Athlete of the Year - Leila Davis (Bachelor of Science)
Leila Davis was a key member of the University women’s basketball side that won the gold medal at the UniSport Nationals. Leila made important contributions to the team in both offense and defence and her on-court leadership played a big role in its success.
Finalists: Meghan Gallagher (Lacrosse), Mayuri Muralidharan (Fencing), Quinnie Laurentia (Badminton), Sophia Gregorevic (Athletics)
Male Athlete of the Year - Roman Anastasios (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
Roman Anastasios’ then personal best jump of 2.23m won him the Men's High Jump gold at the 2024 UniSport Nationals Athletics Championship. He later improved that mark to 2.25m at the Oceania Athletics Championships. Roman also finished third at the Australian Athletics Championships this year.
Finalists: Miles Cowton (Lacrosse), Josh Philip (Ultimate),
Team of the Year - Mixed Ultimate
The Mixed Ultimate team had a dominant season, going undefeated through the year and winning their first UniSport Nationals gold medal. The team also took out the Big Blue Challenge match against Monash and the Victorian Ultimate competition.
Finalists: Lacrosse, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Badminton, Sailing, Women’s Fencing
Coach of the Year - Amelia Smith for Women’s Basketball
Amelia Smith helped the Women’s Basketball team to register an impressive turnaround, going from a ninth-place finish in the University Basketball League to the UniSport Nationals gold. Smith shares a long association with University basketball, having been a player herself. Her ability to relate with the players and motivate them with her confident yet passionate coaching style guided the team to success.
Finalists: Joel Rimes (Men's Basketball), Julie Tran (Kendo), Millie Davis (Touch - Men’s)
Team Manager of the Year - Liam Tully for Athletics
Liam Tully has been the Team Manager of the athletics side for three years now and his work over this period has significantly lifted the performances and results of the University’s student-athletes. With his committed effort, the University doubled the size of its contingent at the 2024 UniSport Athletics Nationals from the previous year.
Finalists: Ellen Lieu (Fencing), Ashley Manuko (Lacrosse), Yi Fan Sun (Badminton)