Sydney University Boat Club (SUBC) members Tara Rigney, Jackson Kench and Will O’Shannessy were named 2022 Sportswoman and Sportsmen of the Year at the annual sports award dinner in MacLaurin Hall on Tuesday night.
Rigney represented Australia in the women’s single scull throughout the 2022 season. She won a bronze medal at the World Rowing Championships and claimed silver and bronze at World Rowing Cups 2 and 3. She also finished in the Gold Cup in Philadelphia.
On the local scene, Rigney won the NSW Rowing Championships and was part of the Sydney University crew that won the 2022 Australian Boat Race against Melbourne University. And she was also the winner of the Australian Hancock Prospecting Female Crew of the Year Award.
Others in contention for the Sportswoman of the Year Award were Rae Anderson (snow sport and para football), Emily Chancellor (rugby union) and Mackenzie Little (athletics).
SUBC’s Kench and O’Shannessy were named joint winners of the Sportsman of the Year Award, having rowed together in the Australian men’s eight throughout the season.
The pair were victorious in all of their international assignments, taking home silver medals at World Rowing Cup 2 and World Rowing Cup 3 and bronze at the World Rowing Championships. Domestically, they won two golds, a silver and a bronze at the 2022 NSW Rowing Championships and two golds and a silver at the 2022 Australian Rowing Championships. They were also members of the NSW crew that won the Interstate Regatta and the Sydney University crew that won the Australian Boat Race against Melbourne University in October. O’Shannessy also came first in the Open Men’s Pair at the Australian Rowing Championships and 2nd in the Open Men’s Four at the Kings Cup Race.
Others in contention were Rohan Browning (athletics) and Tim Clements (rugby union).
Attendees at the annual dinner, organised by Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness, included family and friends of award recipients, Blue and Gold recipients and Sports Scholarship donors, holders of Sports Scholarships and members of the Elite Athlete Program.
After a welcome from Sydney Uni Sports and Fitness CEO Ed Smith, other speakers on the night included the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Joanne Wright, the Head of Sport at SUSF, Leonie Lum, 2022 Valedictorian, Dr Hannah Buckling, who toasted the growing number of Sports Scholarship donors, and SUSF Chair David Mortimer AO, who presented the Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year Awards.
Other awards on the evening included:
Vice Chancellor Awards For Academic and Sporting Excellence: Angus Clark (Athletics) and Mackenzie Little (Athletics).
Senate Awards For Outstanding Academic Achievement (School Leavers): Georgia Fichardt (Athletics), Jack Greaves (Athletics).
Senate Awards For Outstanding Academic Achievement: Elouise Bacon (Equestrian), Nathan Battaglia (Australian Football), Alexandra Bozovic (Tennis), Darcy Creagh (Rugby Union), Lucinda Gillis (Water Polo), Dominique Goddard (Australian Football), Hannah Jones (Soccer), Annabel Martin (Soccer), Lucy Mauviel (Athletics) and Georgia Stewart (Snow Sport).
Vice Chancellor’s Participation Program of the Year: Learn to play – Lunchtime Volleyball.
Ann Mitchell UniSport Nationals Award: Soccer (Women)
The Pat Sharp Award – Female Club Administrator of the Year: Alyssa Lau (Cheerleading).
The Rosenblum Family Award – Male Club Administrator of the Year: Harry Croker (Rugby League).
Professional Club Administrator of the Year: Kirsty Stevens (Rugby Union).
Volunteer Coach of the Year: Tim Spehr (Australian Football)
Professional Coach of the Year: Emily Husband (Soccer).
Club of the Year: Sydney University Netball Club
Professionally Administered Club of the Year: Sydney University Football Club
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Stephanie Brantz, while violinist Isobel Tzaorbataki entertained during pre-dinner drinks on the Great Hall quadrangle and for the annual rendition of The Varsity after awards presentations.
