With the cancellation of the 2020 Blues Dinner along with an extremely challenging 2021, and almost two years of COVID restrictions, Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness and the Blues Association were delighted to once again be able to host the annual Blues Dinner on Friday, 26th November 2021. It was a celebration of the reunion of the wonderfully warm community that surrounds sport here at the University.
The Great Hall provided the perfect backdrop for one of only a few events able to take place at the University during 2021, and the first since the end of lockdown. Not only did we get to celebrate the successes and achievements of the 2021 Blues and Gold recipients, but also had the opportunity to honour the 2020 recipients.
The evening also provided the perfect platform to welcome home with proud and open arms our returning Olympians and Paralympians.
Each of Blues recipients have achieved extraordinary feats of athleticism during the last two years, and the new Golds have served their sporting clubs tirelessly amidst the pandemic, along with each of the returning Olympians and Paralympian’s have achieved the highest honour in sport of representing their country at the Olympics. They join a very special group of University of Sydney students to do so.
Herewith the 2021 Blues and Golds.
2021 Blues
Blue Awarded in Archery
Peter Boukouvalas (Panagiotis-Efthimios Boukouvalas)
- Has become a Master Bowman
- Placed first at the Australian Open in May 2021
- Currently ranked 1st in the state for Recurve
- A Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science Student
Blue Awarded in Athletics
Angus Clark
- Silver medallist at the UniSport Nationals in the High Jump jumping a personal best of 2.12m
- Australian Championship finalist in the High Jump finishing in 8th place
- 5th place in the High Jump at the ACT Championships
- A Bachelor of Advanced Computing and Bachelor of Commerce Student
Thomas Davies
- NSW State Championship finalist in the 1500m finishing in 6th place
- 5th place at the UniSport nationals in the 800m
- 5th place at the Bankstown Invitational in the 1500m
- A Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies Student
Mia Economou
- Gold medallist in the 4x100m at the UniSport Nationals
- Semi-finalist in the 100m at the NSW State Championships
- Bronze medallist in the mixed 4x400m at the UniSport Nationals
- A Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology) Student
Harold (Harry) Fullerton
- Silver medallist at the UniSport Nationals in the 100m
- Semi-finalist at the Australian Championships in 100m
- Gold medallist at the UniSport Nationals in the 4x100m
- A Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts Student
Tom Galvin
- Silver medallist at the UniSport Nationals in the Decathlon
- 9th at the Australian Championships in the Decathlon
- Silver medallist at the NSW State Championships in the Decathlon
- A Master of Commerce Student
Sally Guthrie
- 2nd place in the 400m at the NSW Club Championships
- Finalist in both the 400m and 800m at the NSW U/20 Championships
- 6th place at the UniSport Nationals in the 400m
- A Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) Student
Charlotte McGill
- Australian U/20 Champion in the Triple Jump
- NSW U/20 Champion in the Triple Jump
- Silver medallist at the UniSport Nationals in the Triple Jump
- A Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Advanced Studies Student
Connor Murphy
- Silver medallist at the Australian Championships in the Triple Jump with a personal best jump of 16 meters 22 centimetres
- Gold medallist at the ACT Championships in the Triple Jump
- Bronze medallist at the NSW Championships in the Triple Jump
- A Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) Student
Lachlan Raper
- Silver medallist at the UniSport Nationals in the 800m
- Australian Championship finalist in the 800m finishing in 5th place
- Bronze medallist at the NSW Championships in the 800m
- A Bachelor of Arts Student
Obbsa Youssouf
- Gold medallist at the UniSport Nationals in the 800m
- Australian Championship finalist in the 800m finishing in 9th place
- NSW Championship finalist in the 800m finishing in 4th place
- A Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies student
Blue Awarded in Cricket
Charlie Dummer
- Played 20 games in the 20/21 season
- Scored 639 runs in the 20/21 season
- A Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies Student
Blue Awarded in Netball
Abbey Baker
- Selected in the Netball NSW Mixed Reserves State Team
- Played at least 70% of Premier League games for the 2021 Season
- Played every single game for USYD at the intervarsity competition and Teal Cup competition
- A Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) Student
Jemma Donoghue
- Names in the U21 youth world cup squad
- A named training partner for the National League team The NSW Giants
- Played at least 70% of Premier League games for 2021 season
- A Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) Student
Natalie Sligar
- Captained the U19 NSW team
- Member of the giant’s academy
- Played at least 70% of Premier League games for 2021 season
- A Bachelor of Science Student
Jack Thomas
- Selected in the NSW State Men’s netball team
- Selected in the 2021 National squad for men’s netball
- Participating in 100% of the intervarsity competitions offered and representing in Div. 1 Men’s league
- A Master of Sustainability Student
Blue Awarded in Rowing
Wyatt Batt
- Competed in the New South Wales State Team: Selected in NSW Lightweight Men’s Four for the Interstate Regatta, 2nd place
- Australian Rowing National Championships: 3rd place in Open Men’s Coxed Eight; 3rd place in Under 23 Lightweight Men’s Double Scull
- Wyatt has had an exceptional season and continues to be an active and engaged member of SUBC on and off the water
- A Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) Student
Eleanor Price
- Selected in the Australian U23 Women’s Quadruple Scull
- Competed at the New South Wales State Championships: 1st place in the Championship Women’s Elite Eight; 1st place in Championships Women’s Elite Quad Scull
- Australian Rowing National Championships: 3rd place in the Under 23 Women’s Single Scull; 1st place in the Under 23 Women’s Quadruple Scull; 2nd place in the Under 23 Women’s Coxed Eight
- A Bachelor of Science and Master of Nutrition and Dietetics Student
Blue Awarded in Football (Rugby Union)
Bridie O’Gorman
- Played 7 of 9 games of SUFC’s 2021 season, missing the two only because of her Super W commitments
- Played in her second season with the NSW Waratahs
- Selected in the Australian Wallaroos Squad in January 2021
- A Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering) Student
Thomas Osborne
- Started in 1st Grade for every game of SUFC’s undefeated 2021 season before it was cancelled due to COVID-19
- Accepted into Oxford University to study a Master of Philosophy majoring in Economics
- Debuted for the Harlequins in the English Premiership Cup
- A Bachelor of Laws Student
Henry Robertson
- Played 7 of 9 games for 1st Grade in SUFC’s undefeated 2021 season before it was cancelled due to COVID-19
- Made his Super Rugby debut for the NSW Waratahs in February 2021, gaining 5 caps
- A Bachelor of Economics student majoring in Agricultural and Resource Economics
Blue Awarded in Swimming
Ryan Wilkes
- Gold Medallist at the Australian Championships as a member of the Sydney Uni 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay
- Bronze Medallist at the Australian Championships in the 400m Freestyle
- Finalist at the Australian Championships in the 200m Freestyle
- A Bachelor of Commerce Student
Blue Awarded in Tae Kwon Do
Carmen Marton
- A reserve for the Australian Olympic Team, Tokyo 2021
- Placed 1st in the opening round of the World Championships Australian Team Trials 2021
- Australia’s First World Champion in Taekwondo, World Championships, 2013
- Represented Australia at the 2008, 2012, 2016 Olympics
- A Master of Business Administration Studen
Blue Awarded in Triathlon
Jayden Schofield
- Third at the Elite Australian Sprint Triathlon Championships
- Equal first at the UniSport Nationals Div. 1 Triathlon Championships
- A Bachelor of Engineering Honours and Bachelor of Science Student
Luke Schofield
- Second at the Elite Australian Sprint Triathlon Championships
- Equal first at the UniSport Nationals Div. 1 Triathlon Championships
- Third at the U23 Oceania Championships, Olympic Distance Triathlon
- A Bachelor of Engineering Honours and Bachelor of Science Student
2021 Gold
Gold Awarded for service to Athletics
Brian White
- Brian White has given a phenomenal 40 years of service to the Sydney University Athletic Club
- In 1981 he joined the general committee of SUAC and has filled all manner of roles since, including Club President, Secretary, Treasurer, Club Captain, Trophies and Records Officer, Team Manager and Foundation Liaison Officer
- Brian is currently the club’s male delegate to the CAC
Gold Awarded for service to Baseball
Jasper Odgers
- Jasper has been involved with USYD Baseball since starting at USYD as an undergraduate in 2011. He held the position of Secretary from 2012 – 2014 and has remained actively and fruitfully involved with the club ever since
- During his time as Secretary, the club won the Sydney Winter Baseball Club Championship and the SUSF 2013 Club of the Year for the first time in over 14 years
- He was both the Secretary and Team Manager for 3x National University Championship Gold Medals, including achieving a ‘Green and Gold’ medal for all three years as a student-athlete
Gold Awarded for service to Hockey
Anthony McInnes
- Anthony was 2014 and 2015 – Club Captain of Sydney Uni Hockey Club
- 2016 to 2019 – President of Sydney Uni Hockey Club
- 2020 to present – USSF committee member
- He has been a player, coach, administrator, helper, advisor, and figurehead for SUHC for many years
Gold Awarded for service to Rugby Union
James Caterson
- Forced to retire from playing too soon in 2012, James quickly and admirably shifted gears to coaching for the rest of the season. From then, and for the next three years, James was the Assistant Coach for the 3rd Colts, winning one premiership title
- In 2015, James was promoted to 2nd Colts Head Coach, a role with much more responsibility, requiring commitment to two evenings a week (sometimes three), plus Saturday’s, from February to September. Of his four-year tenure of this role, the 2nd Colts made the Grand Final three years in a row, claiming two premierships
- In 2018, James’ contribution to SUFC was significant and critical. He not only coached the 2nd Colts, but he also stepped-in to guide the 1st Colts after the sudden departure of their head coach mid-season. He was instrumental in steering the Colts from the brink of missing finals to reaching the semi-final in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Colt’s competitions. Earning much respect and admiration from the players and the club, James was named SUFC’s Volunteer of the Year for 2018
- In 2019, James took the reins as Head Coach for 3rd Grade. The team claimed back-to-back Minor Premierships in 2019 and 2020 and reached the Grand Final in both seasons
Gold Awarded for service to Rugby Union and Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness
Wayne Erickson
Since taking the role as Principal of St Andrews College in 2008 Wayne has supported sport at the university by:
- Provided over $1 million worth of St Andrews College scholarships to members of SUSF’s elite athlete program across a multitude of sports
- Revitalised and overseen the running of the traditional inter-collegiate sporting competitions on Campus, the Rawson Cup and Rose Bowl, which is now live-streamed to over 5,000 viewers and was recently awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Participation Sports Program
- Established St Andrew’s College reputation as a residence for high performing academic athletes, artists, and musicians
- St Andrew’s College athletes have gone on to represent the University at many national sporting events and many have gone on further to represent Australia at the highest level
Gold Awarded for service to Rugby Union
Ashley Miller
- Ash joined SUFC in 2012 as a Gear Steward and became the Head Gear Steward the following season and remains to this day. This means collecting; washing; folding; sorting; pumping, transporting; and distributing, playing jerseys, footballs, radios, and water bottles
- A critical part of SUFC’s operations, Ash turns up every week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and all-day Saturday
- He is the first to arrive and the last to leave, spending 16 hours/week for 30 weeks of the year doing all the jobs that many take for granted
Congratulations to all our award winners!
Details of the 2022 Blues Dinner will be announced in the new year.
