Batt and Fox dominate NSWIS awards

World championship heroes Ryley Batt and Jessica Fox have capped standout performances in the sporting arena in 2014 by clean sweeping the major gongs at the New South Wales Institute of Sport Awards held at the Australian Turf Club on Thursday night.

Batt claimed no less than three awards on the evening including the ClubsNSW Male Athlete of the Year award, the Office of Communities, Sport and Recreation Regional Athlete of the Year and the Quest Serviced Apartments Team Athlete of the Year, whilst Fox claimed the Sydney City Toyota Female Athlete of the Year award for the second year in a row.

The world championship winning pair was joined in the winner’s circle by Olympic diving champion Matthew Mitcham (Southern Design Career Development) and rising track & field sensations Nick Hough (The University of Sydney Academic Excellence) and Georgia Wassall (Mizuno Junior Athlete of the Year).

The awards night, hosted by NSWIS Deputy Chairman Alan Jones AO, attracted some of the state’s most talented sportsmen and women and recognised athletes and coaches in a range of categories including academic excellence, career development, team and individual performances.

NSWIS CEO Charles Turner said Batt and Fox had thoroughly deserved their accolades and paid tribute to all the award winners and nominees.

“What Ryley and Jessica have achieved in 2014 is nothing short of sensational and the reward for many months of hard work and sacrifice here at the NSWIS,” Mr Turner said.

“The NSWIS and our partners are privileged to be able to support such high calibre athletes in their quest for excellence and we will continue to do so moving towards the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Tonight’s other award winners, the rest of the nominees and indeed all of the NSWIS scholarship holders, coaches and support staff should be congratulated on a wonderful year and I wish them the best of luck in the future.”

During the nomination period Port Macquarie based Batt led the Australian wheelchair rugby team to its maiden world championship title. Batt scored an incredible 45 goals in Australia’s gold medal win over Canada, becoming only the second nation behind the USA to hold both the world and Paralympic titles at the same time.

An ecstatic Batt spoke of how humbled he felt having won an astonishing three awards, before touching on what he feels has been his best year in the sport, future plans, and the role NSWIS has played in his success.

“Coming here tonight I didn’t think I’d take home any awards given how many phenomenal athletes have been nominated this year, and to then to win three and take home the big one, it means a lot to me” Batt said.

“It was great to cap off our 2012 London Paralympic gold medal with this 2014 World Championship, it’s the icing on the cake for a great year and we have the perfect pair now.

“Hopefully at Rio in 2016 we can win another gold medal, but that’s two years away and there is a lot of sacrifice and hard training to come.

“NSWIS has been fantastic, they’ve helped me for the last ten years since I’ve been a part of the program and they’re always just a phone call away.”

An honest Batt also gave a unique insight into his disability and the role he feels it has played in allowing him to experience life in a way very few are able to. 

“I’m lucky to have my disability, there is no way I would have experienced this much in life if I was in born with legs.”

“I’ve won world championships and Paralympic gold medals, and for me that beats leading a normal life.”

It was a history-making year for Fox that saw her win the women’s C1 and K1 gold at the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships. 

It was the first time a female paddler had triumphed in both disciplines at the same senior world championship event, and came after she achieved the same feat at the U23 world championships earlier in the year. Fox said she was humbled to be acknowledged by the NSWIS and paid tribute to the fantastic team behind him for assisting her in her stellar season.

“I’d like to say thank you for this award and recognition, it’s a real honour to be named the Female Athlete of the Year,” Fox said from a training camp in Europe.

“This year has been fantastic and to achieve the double world championship title was a dream come true. I’ve been really fortunate to have an amazing support network here at the NSWIS with my coaches and teammates who make training so much fun every day.

“Congratulations to all the other finalists and award winners, it’s so exciting to get together and reflect on a great year and celebrate the achievements of the athletes and coaches.”

Full list of awards winners (with sport and home suburb):

The Australian College of Physical Education Academic Excellence – General: Sophie Stanwell (Track & Field) – Georgetown

The University of Sydney Academic Excellence: Nicholas Hough (Track & Field) – Bella Vista

Southern Design Career Development: Matthew Mitcham (Diving) – Balmain

Ian Thorpe OAM Outstanding Achievement: Cameron Bolton (Winter Sports) – Sorrento

Mizuno Junior Athlete of the Year: Georgia Wassall (Track & Field) – Wamberal

Office of Communities, Sport and Recreation Regional Athlete of the Year: Ryley Batt (Wheelchair Rugby) – Port Macquarie

Quest Serviced Apartments Team Athlete of the Year: Ryley Batt (Wheelchair Rugby) – Port Macquarie

The Australian College of Physical Education Coach of the Year: Ben Ettridge (Wheelchair Basketball) – Ryde

Sydney City Toyota Female Athlete of the Year: Jessica Fox (Canoe Slalom) – Leonay

ClubsNSW Male Athlete of the Year: Ryley Batt (Wheelchair Rugby) – Port Macquarie