SPORTS
AWARDS

WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE SPORTS AWARDS

The University of Newcastle Sports Awards are a significant part of the institution’s rich history, showcasing NUsport’s commitment to providing exceptional services and facilities. The tradition of awarding University College Blues started in 1955, with the establishment of the Blues Association on 4 July, 1967, strengthening this legacy after the University gained autonomy. Our alumni’s outstanding accomplishments in events like the Olympic, Commonwealth, and World University Games are a testament to our sporting excellence, inspiring the next generation of student-athletes.

Organised by NUsport on behalf of the University, these awards honour outstanding contributions to sport through categories such as sporting scholarships, University Blues, University Colours, Sports Club of the Year, Team of the Year, and Sports Person of the Year.

Hurdler, Tiahna Skelton has been named winner of the Sports Person of the Year at the University of Newcastle Sports Awards, held on Saturday 26 October.

Tiahna’s 2023 season was one of remarkable achievements in hurdles, cementing her reputation as one of Australia’s top athletes in the discipline. She began the year with a dominant performance at the NSW Country Championships, securing 1st place in both the 100m and 400m hurdles. Her success continued at the UniSport Nationals, where she won gold in the 100m hurdles and contributed to her team’s silver medal finish in the 4x100m relay.

Tiahna’s international success was equally impressive, with strong performances at prestigious competitions such as the Belgium Flanders Cup and the Meeting International Schifflange in Luxembourg. Competing against elite athletes, she earned top finishes in both the 100m and 400m hurdles, further highlighting her skill and determination.

The Sports Club of the Year was awarded to the Women’s Hockey Club for its attainment of high standards in sports administration and the Team of the Year was awarded to the Mixed Touch Football Team for their outstanding results in 2023.

Tiahna Skelton (Athletics - Hurdles), Hannah Mison (Athletics – Race Walking), Amber Witney (Hockey), Lucy Frame (Hockey), Reece Caddy (Swimming) and Andi Law (Touch Football) joined more than 250 of Australia’s greatest athletes, academics and business people when they were awarded the prestigious University Blue for demonstrating outstanding sporting ability when representing the University of Newcastle.

For making an outstanding contribution to the administration and organisation of University sport, University Colours were awarded to Peter Hooker (Fencing), Luke Keating (Football) and Michael Gabrielides (Rugby League).

The University and Friends of the University presented six sport scholarships to students with demonstrated potential currently balancing their academic and sporting pursuits. The Friends of the University Scholarship was awarded to Ella Morris in Rugby Union. The University Sport Scholarships were awarded to Madelyn Atkins (Football), Samuel Boudan (Gymnastics), Sean Govender (Karate), Flynn Hamilton (Surf Lifesaving) and Sky Stevens (Wakeboarding).

The ‘Andrew Brown Scholarship’ a donor funded scholarship, is made possible by the generosity of Andrew Brown. Andrew is a Mechanical Engineering Alumnus, and would like to support a student where financial hardship may otherwise prevent them from participating in tertiary study and sports activities. This scholarship was awarded to Maxwell Rumble.

The 'Col Whitehead Scholarship,' established by Peter Dodd with the support of Stephen Tarbox and both current and former cricket club members, intends that the successful recipient will be a contributing member and role model to other team members of the Newcastle University cricket club. This scholarship was awarded to Jai Copelin.