Bond University honoured its sporting elite at the annual Blues Awards last night, naming Jade Neilsen and Alex Beck Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year.
More than 80 guests gathered at the University Club to celebrate this year’s sporting achievements, which also included naming the champion club, sporting silk awards, outstanding service to sport, half blues, full blues, all which recognise sporting achievement in university competitions as well as club and national level.
Jade Neilsen, a swimming Olympian, and Alex Beck, who competes nationally and was part of the Olympic squad, both acknowledged the hard work that goes into training, saying a balanced education and study system was pivotal to their success.
“Bond has great flexible study options and supports athletes with balancing university work and training; I’ve had some really supportive lecturers that have helped me and looked after me when training has been hectic,” said Alex.
“It’s a pretty overwhelming accolade to receive, it’s amazing to be recognised and I am honoured to receive the award,” he said.
Jade, who won Silver swimming in the 200m Freestyle relay at the recent London Olympic Games, agreed, citing the University’s support encourages elite athletes to achieve their goals.
“As a recipient of the ADCO Sports Excellence Scholarship I have been able to concentrate on my studies as well as my swimming. The lecturers are really supportive and the whole community has been exceptionally welcoming,” said Jade.
“It’s great to be recognised for your achievements and knowing the University supports your endeavours is rewarding,” she said.
In order to be eligible for the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year award, students are required to be enrolled at the University in the current year, must be a member of at least one Bond University sporting club or team, must have competed at the Australian University Games and achieved success at open national level of competition, an international competition and been selected for a national team or development squad.
Bond boasts an impressive range of sporting clubs on campus and regularly participates in intervarsity sport on a regional and national level. The University is affiliated with Australian University Sport and sends teams to the Australian University games every year.
This year alone, six Bond University students and alumni represented Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games and 2012 London Paralympics Games, competing in a range of sport including swimming, sailing and triathlon.
Bond University 2012 Blues Awards winners
Sportswoman of the Year
Jade Neilsen
Jade represented Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games as a member of the 4 x 200m Freestyle relay team that won a Silver medal. Jade swam in the heats placing first with the fastest qualifying time and placing the team in lane 4 for the final. Jade is a member of Dennis Cottrerell’s Squad at the Miami swim club.
Sportsman of the Year
Alex Beck
Alex placed 2nd at the 2012 National Championships in the 400m. In 2012 Alex was the 4th fastest Australian with a time of 46.07 and competed earlier this year at the London 2012 Olympic Games as a relay squad member. Alex is a member of the Australian under 21 National Squad and trains at the Gold Coast Athletics track, coached by Glynis Nunn Cearns OAM.
Champion Club
The Champion Club of the Year is awarded to the sporting club that best represents the University in all aspects of sporting life. As such, the award is given to the sporting club that has exhibited demonstrable success at external competition, membership, and its presence on campus.
Sporting Silk
The Sporting Silk is an award that recognises dedication to and leadership of a sporting club or team at Bond University
Mary Grant – Touch
Megan Ball – Netball
Michael Puhle – AFL
Max Wolthers – Rugby Union
Outstanding Service to Sport
The Outstanding Service to Sport is awarded to the student who has shown exceptional commitment to the betterment of sport at Bond.
Hannah West
Half Blues
Bond University Half-Blue selection rewards those athletes that have attained strong results at a national or regional level.
Claudia Jones – Netball
James Cornish - Athletics
Luke Evans – Rugby Union 7’s
Mathew Stubbs – Rugby Union 7’s
Simon Tooma - Touch
Veronica Kelley - Handball
Full Blues
Bond University Blues selection is a performance based award that is given to those students that show success at a national or international level in their chosen sport.
Annalese Smith - Handball
Jade Neilsen - Swimming
Alex Beck - Athletics
Ben Daley – Rugby Union