The winners of the annual special awards were announced on Saturday 17th May after the Club AGM. Congratulations to all our deserving winners. Choosing the winners was no easy feat given the remarkable talent and accomplishments of all the nominees.
The John Morris Junior Encouragement Award is for a junior Club member 15 years of age or under competing in cross country in the 2 or 3km distance. This is for a Club member who competes regularly, tries hard, and shows improvement and doesn’t have to necessarily figure in the top results.
Nominees: Madeline Oke, Evie Smart, Tom Smart and Malachy Martin.
Winner: Malachy Martin
Malachy competed in the 2kms distance in the 2024 season. Malachy remained consistent across the courses throughout the season with his best time coming from Longreach with 11.47. Although Malachy finished 2nd in the pointscore he runs cross country with carefree ease, not focused on winning or pace, but simply enjoying the act of running. Malachy is a worthy winner of this encouragement award.
The Ian Henry Nowra Toyota Senior Encouragement Award is for senior members over 15 years of age competing in the medium or long-distance cross country events. This is for a Club member who competes regularly, tries hard, shows improvement but does not necessarily figure in the top results.
Nominees: Natasha Toms, Rebecca Cooper, and Darcy Arnold
Winner: Darcy Arnold
Darcy ran long course in 2024 and consistently improved over the season. Darcy opened with 51.37 at Huskisson and finished with 49.57. Darcy always competes with a smile. She runs with a steady focus and determination, pushing through with her never-give-up attitude and strong will. Darcy is well-deserving of this award and we look forward to watching her running journey.
The Neville Markham Distance Runner of the year award. This award is presented in memory of Neville Markham who was an outstanding age group runner through the 1980’s and 1990’s for Nowra and very involved at a club level. This award is for a club member who competes in a variety of long-distance events from 8kms onwards and achieves a ‘notable’ result or results.
Nominees: Angela Bond, Brad Sawyers
Winner: Brad Sawyers
In November last year Brad won the half marathon at the Husky Running Festival in 1.10.55 which was 5 minutes ahead of 2nd place getter, and a course record. In February Brad took silver in the 10km race at Husky Tri Festival and then in April Brad won the Wollongong Half Marathon in 1.12.34.
In addition, in the 2024 cross country season, Brad took the silver medal in the NSW Short Course Cross Country Championships for 7.5kms in the 30-34 years event, and another silver in the NSW Cross Country Championships for the 10kms event.
Brad is an amazing runner who has stepped up to the longer distances with tremendous success. Congratulations Brad.
The Frank McCaffrey Award is presented in commemoration of the founder of the Nowra Athletics Club. Frank was instrumental in starting NAC in 1960 and was a driving force in the first few years and a regular visitor and supporter after leaving the Club. This award is for a great performance by an individual club member or club team during the previous 12 months of the athletic season.
Nominees: Erin Smart, Kerrie Jones, Sam Keogh and Brad Sawyers
Winner: Kerrie Jones
Kerrie had an outstanding season with numerous podium results.
At the National and State Indoor Heavy Weight Pentathlon Kerrie took the gold medal and in the process, set a new Australian record.
In the Australian Masters Athletics Winter Throws Competition in Brisbane, in October Kerrie competed in 9 events for a total of 62 throws and achieved fantastic results. Kerrie took the win and the National Title in the Heavy Weight Pentathlon. Kerrie also took the win in the Super Weight Throw (9kg) with an impressive distance of 5.55m which was an AMA Winter Throws Championship Record.
In the Throws Pentathlon Kerrie finished 2nd and in the individual events, Kerrie was 2nd in each of the 6 disciplines.
Kerrie also placed 2nd in the 2024 Oceania Throws Pentathlon Challenge.
At the ACT Masters Heavy Weight Pentathlon Championships, Kerrie earned a season PB & took the gold medal whilst at the NSW Masters Championships Kerrie took the silver medal in the weight throw, and hammer plus 3 bronze medals for discus, javelin, and shot.
Kerrie is an inspiration to everyone and is not only a fantastic athlete, but is a great advocate for the Club and for the sport of athletics, as well as a genuinely fantastic person.
High Achievement Award. This award is for a club athlete who has achieved high results in state, national or international competition throughout the previous year.
Nominees: Airlie Stevens, Hugh Thirwall, Lily Sproule, Evie Binney, Tom Brookes, Jonah Watson, Alisha Mustapic, Amelia May, Hamish McLaren, Emily McLaren, Will Dyball, Harrison Baxter, Oliver Baxter, Finn Goddard, Nic McGill, Erin Smart, Sam Keogh, Kerrie Jones
WINNER – Erin Smart
At the Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Adelaide Erin took gold in each sprint event 60m, 100m, 200m and 400m plus bronze in the 800m. Her 400m time of 59.57 was the fastest of the day. Erin now remains undefeated over the sprint events, taking the National titles 4 years in succession.
Prior to Nationals, Erin took 4 gold medals from the 4 sprints at the NSW Masters Championships where her 400m time – of 58.27 – was an equal fastest 400m across all the ages.
Erin is a versatile runner – she was 2nd in the Norman Windred 800m handicap race and was part of the bronze medal 4x100m relay team at the State Valour Relays as well as part of the cross country relay team that placed 5th.
Erin continues to inspire everyone with her fantastic results on the big stage as well as her determination and persistence.
The Harry Scouller Award was introduced in 2016 in honour of one of Nowra’s finest young athletes.
Harry Scouller first emerged in athletics in his early teens, running for Nowra Athletics Club; competing in the state cross country and distance events from 800m to 3000m. At the December 2011 Australian All Schools, Harry, making his national championships debut, won bronze in the 400m and 800m events. Harry wore the green and gold of Australia when in June 2012 he was selected to compete in the open 800m at the Oceania Championships in Cairns, which he won in 1:52.76. In February 2013, few who witnessed the NSW under 20 years 800m championship will forget the race the guys delivered. On the line Jordan Gusman took the win in 1:51.21 with Harry second just one hundredth behind in 1:51.22, nearly a one second personal best. Harry passed away aged just 21-years-old, from an epileptic seizure.
In honour of his amazing athletic career the Harry Scouller Award was introduced for talented/promising young track and field athletes.
Nominees: Airlie Stevens, Evie Binney, Hugh Thirlwall, Lily Sproule, Hamish McLaren
Winner – Airlie Stevens
Airlie competed at the 2024 NSW All Schools Championships and earned herself 4 PB’s in 4 races. In the 400m final Airlie ran a National Qualifier time of 1.00.67. Then at the Albie Thomas Mile in February Airlie Stevens clocked a 2 second PB in the 800m to earn another National Qualifier.
At Nationals Airlie chose to focus on the 800m which certainly paid off for her with a 3rd place in her heat in a massive a 5 second PB, qualifying for the final as the 3rd fastest athlete! In the final Airlie had another good run for 5th place in Australia.
Airlie is a great example of a young promising track athlete and is a great choice this year for the Harry Scouller Award.
The Club Performance Award was introduced in 2018 by the Committee for an athlete performing well at a Club level with regular participation, personal improvement and support of the Club.
Nominees: Anne Boatswain, Erin Smart. Kadance Naylor, Sam Keogh and Emerson Boatswain.
Winner: Erin Smart
Erin set 7 records throughout the 2024 track and field season across 100m, 200m, 400m, 600m, 800m and high jump.
On the final night of the track season Erin stopped the clock at 1.00.86 in the 400m, setting a new 40-49 years record and a personal best time on grass. Erin then backed up in the 100m where she crossed in 13.20, edging out her previous record of 13.23, which she set over 2 years ago on 11th January 2023.
In addition, Erin’s support and encouragement of other athletes is loud and proud. Erin is always the first to cheer on another athlete and to congratulate them on their performance.
Good Sports Award was introduced in 2024 to reflect Nowra Athletics Club values of respect, integrity and fair play. The award recognises a member who has a positive attitude and gives their best effort, and who supports and encourages others.
Winner Emerson Boatswain
Emerson consistently shows good sportsmanship, treating others with respect, encouraging others, checking in on their welfare and offering words of support. Her positive attitude and commitment to running, her kindness and compassion make her a role model for her peers.
Club Person/Volunteer of the Year. This award is for a member who supports the club all year and goes ‘above and beyond’.
Winner: Liv Saviane
Liv has been an incredible support at Wednesday night track and field. She freely gives her time, energy and enthusiasm to help make the events a success. She encourages the athletes and demonstrates patience and respect for everyone. Liv is great at organising the young athletes, keeping them focused and in order whilst still supporting her own children as they compete.
We cannot operate our Club events without volunteers and we are very grateful for everything Liv gives the Club.