SPORTS SPECIAL AWARDS AWARDS 2020 certainly has been a very different year for sport across the board. The first lockdown landed just before our summer season really got off the ground, and the second pretty much stopped any form of winter sport happening. However, we did have some success to celebrate in between lockdowns and alert level restrictions, and also had a number of girls who achieved selection at international level.
The Dio Sport Student Coach of the Year Fuji Xerox Staff Contribution to Sport Award In any school, staff are crucial to the success of its sports programme, and this award recognises outstanding contribution by a staff member – this year the very deserving winner cricket manager extraordinaire Bryan Haggitt. His ability to set a positive and supportive atmosphere within the team is highly valued by all members of the cricket 1st XI.
This year there were joint winners – Olivia Clark and Laura Whitley. Olivia is an exemplary student coach for our Years 7 and 8 water polo programme, is our code captain for water polo and has always made time to give back to the sport by coaching our younger students. Laura has also been an outstanding student coach within the water polo programme. She has coached multiple teams across various age groups and has allowed the girls’ passion for the sport to develop while also challenging them to be their best while still having fun.
T
he Sports Awards, held in the Arts Centre auditorium on 30 October, celebrated those results we were able to achieve. We are so proud of the resilience and determination the girls have shown throughout this crazy year. First up, badges were awarded to this year’s Sports Council who have done a great job staying motivated throughout the year. These were followed by premier team badges, awarded to all our athletes who made and competed in a premier team this year. Then a number of special awards were made before the ceremony finished with recognition of our national representatives.
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The Dio Sport Student Official of the Year This year’s winner, for the second year in a row, was Gabby de Latour. Gabby has been the go-to umpire for Diocesan netball for the past two years and has been an incredible asset. Our lead umpire on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Gabby also assists many of our junior umpires and encourages them to be confident and positive.
The Spraggon McFarlane Cup This is awarded each year to an outstanding sports captain. This year’s winner is equestrian Francesca Masfen. An accomplished rider herself, Francesca is a phenomenal role model to our younger riders, setting a culture of enjoyment and inclusiveness in the equestrian team that has seen the sport grow to its biggest numbers during her two years as code captain.
