Four inspiring women share their People’s Sporting Champion
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When it comes to inspirational athletes and sporting people, Canberra certainly has no shortage.
As the home of the Australian Institute of Sport and a plethora of local sporting teams and bodies, it can be difficult to narrow down your choices in selecting a nominee for the People’s Sporting Champion presented by Canberra Milk.
To help you hone in on your candidate, we asked four inspirational leaders in the Canberra community who they’ll be nominating and why, plus which school or sporting club they’d select to win the $5,000 sporting equipment prize courtesy of Canberra Milk.
Frances Crimmins, Chief Executive Officer – YWCA of Canberra
Who will you be nominating for the People’s Sporting Champion, and why?
I would nominate Zoe Cuthbert- an amazing young women from Canberra taking on the mountain biking world. Zoe is already Junior Australian Champion and recently competed in her second international event in Switzerland.
I love how strong and determined Zoe is and the fearless way I have seen her ride.
Which school or sporting club would you like to see win the $5,000 sporting equipment prize?
I would select Richardson Primary School. We deliver services from the school and the community and I know the children would value the donation of new sporting equipment.
Amanda Whitley, Founder and CEO – HerCanberra
Amanda Whitley
Who will you be nominating for the People’s Sporting Champion, and why?
Julie Scheer, Director and Founder of local dance school, Dance Central (DC). Julie puts her heart and soul into making DC a supportive environment for its students and has a genuine passion for ensuring their mental and physical wellbeing.
Last year, she launched an anti-bullying campaign #goturback aimed at 12-17 year olds—an age when there’s a lot going on and young people are searching for guidance, struggling with pressure at home or socially, and all within an ‘always on with no relief’ social media landscape.
Through DC, Julie teaches teens so much more than dancing: core values like team work, self-respect, mindfulness, self-awareness and treating others how you would like to be treated.
Which school or sporting club would you like to see win the $5,000 sporting equipment prize?
Malkara School. Because every child, regardless of their ability, should have the opportunity to engage in sport and realise the joy that comes with active play.
Hannah Walmsley, Grandstand Presenter – ABC Radio
Who will you be nominating for the People’s Sporting Champion, and why?
My vote will go to runner Michael Roeger.
This year Michael Roeger smashed three Paralympic world records; the T46 1500 metres (at the Sydney Track Classic), the 5000 metres (at the Australian Athletics Championships on the Gold Coast) and the marathon (at Melbourne Marathon).
Michael is a classy athlete within his Paralympic class and amongst able-bodied athletes. He’s a track specialist with a focus on the 1500 metre event, but this year has shown his versatility across distances. At the Australian Road Running Championships in Adelaide this year, Michael finished 3rd outright over the 12 kilometre race in an incredible time of 35:11. At the Gold Coast half marathon Michael finished 7th outright in 65:22 and was second in the half marathon at the Australian Running festival in Canberra.
Michael was born without the lower half of his right arm. He’s a role model for both able-bodied athletes and athletes with a disability because he has embraced his difference and gives every ounce of his energy to bettering his best and discovering where his passion can take him.
As part of coach Philo Saunders’ elite track squad in Canberra, Michael has been a central role model and training partner for youth Olympic gold medalist Keely Small. He’s committed to inspiring emerging athletes and helping young kids to develop a passion for sport. This year he did exactly that at the Weetbix Kids Triathlon. He’s also spent time speaking in front of crowds of primary school kids and showing off his Paralympic medal.
In a work capacity, Michael manages the library at the Australian Institute of Sport, helping other athletes and sports scientist in their academic pursuits.
Which school or sporting club would you like to see win the $5,000 sporting equipment prize?
Earlier this year I visited the Canberra Islamic School in Weston to report on a new program developed by Netball ACT. It was all about paving new pathways for kids of all backgrounds to get into sport.
Seeing the kids light up about the opportunity to try netball for the first time in their lives was the absolute best.
I’d love to see the Canberra Islamic School benefit from this prize.
Michelle Robertson, Chief Executive Officer – RSPCA ACT
Who will you be nominating for the People’s Sporting Champion, and why?
Gracie Elvin is a two-time Australian road champion and was the first Australian woman to podium at the Tour of Flanders since the race started in 2004. Chloe Hoskin won the cycling gold at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year, but gave credit to her five teammates, including Gracie.
Gracie wrote in her recent blog that her mother told her that charity starts in your own backyard. I have never met Gracie, but being the CEO of a local animal welfare charity, the notions that Gracie expanded on in her blog of being kind and ‘paying things forward’ really resonate with me.
Looking a little deeper into Gracie’s documented achievements, it was not only her impressive sporting resume or that she has had to overcome many challenges and obstacles that I found inspiring, but her boldness about wanting to effect positive change in her sport. She is standing up for other women, and I get the impression that for her it is not just about the ‘personal win’ but also about something bigger.
Which school or sporting club would you like to see win the $5,000 sporting equipment prize?
I would be delighted if the Black Mountain School could win the Canberra Milk $5,000 sports equipment. Black Mountain is a specialist secondary school for students with a disability. Although the RSPCA has no formal relationships in place with this school, I believe them to be a very worthy recipient and that a $5,000 donation will assist greatly in creating more opportunities for inclusion for their students. Sport for people with disability is not always ‘one size fits all’. The focus should be on finding practical ways for people with disability to participate in sport at a level of their choice. Inclusion is about providing a range of options.
Nominations for the People’s Sporting Champion presented by Canberra Milk close Monday 5 November. To view the eligibility criteria and cast your vote, visit http://cbrsportawards.com.au/peoples-sporting-champion.
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