University of Sydney Olympian Jessica Fox capped off a remarkable 2012, after claiming two awards at the 2012 NSWIS Awards Dinner held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday night.
Fox, who won a kayak silver medal in this year’s London 2012 Olympics along with three world championship gold medals, was nominated for four awards – winning The University of Sydney Academic Excellence and the Out & About Marketing and Media Junior Athlete of the Year awards.
The Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (SUSF) Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder and University of Sydney B. Arts (Media & Communication) first year student captured the imagination of the Australian public when she became Australia’s best-performing Olympic kayaker ever after winning a silver medal in the women’s K1 in London. After capsizing in her first heat run, the 18 year old scrapped through to the 10-woman final as the eight-fastest qualifier, but then set the field a mighty task to better her with a blistering run on the tricky Lee Valley White Water Centre course. Of the seven who followed, only France’s Emile Fer was able to top her, and only by 0.61sec.
University of Sydney athletes were nominated as Finalists a total of 16 times across seven different awards.
SUSF Executive Director Robert Smithies was full of praise for the all of Sydney Uni athletes nominated, all of whom are current or former SUSF EAP scholarship holders.
“It was great to see Jess Fox take out two awards this evening, but I would like to congratulate all of the University of Sydney athletes who were nominated as finalist for NSWIS awards,” said Smithies.
“There are some amazing athletes on the NSWIS program and I’m very proud to see so many of our SUSF EAP scholarship holders here tonight.”
The New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) is a leading high performance sport institute that provides world class coaching, services, and flexible innovative training environments for athletes, along with a focus on athlete welfare, career and educational assistance.
The SUSF Elite Athlete Program provides excellent support and services to elite athletes to assist them in their concurrent pursuit of academic and sporting goals, and encourages them to achieve outstanding academic results to facilitate an alternative vocation after their sporting career has finished.
Here is a list of all Sydney University finalists:
The University of Sydney Academic Excellence
Jennifer Blow – Goalball
Jessica Fox – Canoe Slalom
Nicholas Hough – Track & Field
Murray Stewart – Canoe Sprint
Sarah Stewart – Wheelchair Basketball
The University of NSW Career Development
Thomas Whalan – Water Polo (Men)
Ian Thorpe OAM Outstanding Achievement
Brooke Pratley – Rowing
Murray Stewart – Canoe Sprint
Out & About Marketing and Media Junior Athlete of the Year
Jessica Fox – Canoe Slalom
Nicholas Hough – Track & Field
Classic Sportswear Most Memorable Moment
Jessica Fox – Canoe Slalom
Murray Stewart – Canoe Sprint
Samsung Electronics Australia Team Athlete of the Year
Murray Stewart – Canoe Sprint
Sydney City Toyota Female Athlete of the Year
Olivia Price/Nina Curtis/Lucinda Whitty – Sailing
Jessica Fox – Canoe Slalom
Prue Watt – AWD Swimming
