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.
Hosting duties were assigned to Sport Development Manager Rod Warnecke, who ensured that attendees were kept entertained during the presentations, with some jokes being better than others. The keynote speaker for the event was Ellen Liu, University of Melbourne Sport Captain, who delivered an inspiring speech about her sporting journey, sharing how she achieved her current success with a simple mantra: "Why not?" While her audience may already be accomplished athletes, her message remained as an important reminder not to limit your potential and to take advantage of the vast opportunities that the University has to offer.
This year, 760 athletes represented the University across 28 sports, 89 of them were awarded a Half Blue or Full Blue.
Additionally, 47 student-athletes were honoured on the evening for representing their countries at an international level.
There were four different award presenters: Ellen Liu, Rosemary Bissett (Advisory Board and Club Advisory Group member and Volleyball Club Vice-President), Eleanor Spencer-Regan (Principal and CEO - Janet Clarke Hall), and Ian Marshman (Advisory Board Chair).
It was a strong year for University Sport. The Winged Victory won 7 national University pennants, with mixed Lacrosse winning a third straight title and Sailing winning a second consecutive title.
Sport Award Winners
University Sport Male Athlete of the Year - Aleksandar Bandilovski (3x3 Basketball)
Finalists: Pim Okhuizen (Hockey), Miles Cowton (Lacrosse), Jordan Gilbert (Athletics)
University Sport Female Athlete of the Year - Rebecca Henderson (Athletics)
Finalists: Zara Lavery (Rowing), Claudia Chan (Lacrosse)
University Sport Team of the Year - Men's 3x3 Basketball
Finalists: Mixed Lacrosse, Men's Basketball, Men's Hockey, Open Sailing, Men's Volleyball
University Sport Coach of the Year - Joel Rimes (Basketball)
Finalists: Adam De Bono (Men's Volleyball), Nick Anthony (Mixed Lacrosse)
University Sport Team Manager of the Year - Laura Pangrazio (Women's Volleyball)
Finalists: Pim Okhuizen (Men's Hockey), John Tran (Mixed Netball)
Outstanding Sporting Achievement of the Year - Annabel Sutherland (Australian Women's Cricket Team)
Finalists: Charlie Rowbottom (AFLW), Max Holmes (AFL), Kiera Austin (Netball), Rebecca Henderson (Athletics), Roman Anastasios (Athletics), Romy Cantwell (Rowing)
Click here for photos from the night.