THE City of Mandurah’s sporting elite were honoured at the third annual sports awards gala dinner last night.
About 150 people attended the event at Rushton Park Sports Facility, with local AFL player and Fremantle Docker Hayden Ballantyne making a guest appearance.
The City of Mandurah Sports Awards formally recognises people who have achieved sporting success at an elite level, or made a significant contribution to Mandurah’s sport and recreation clubs.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWCity of Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams said 2018 has been a big year for sport in Mandurah with many local teams and individuals experiencing success.
“Local sport is essential for a strong, healthy and happy community,’’ he said.
“It is vital we continue to grow grassroots competitions in the region while celebrating the accomplishments of local sports people, volunteers, teams and clubs.
“I believe the volunteer awards are one of the most important acknowledgements, because they are the glue that hold our community together.
“Sporting clubs provide a great opportunity for people to contribute and help make a better community.”
Sports Person of the Year Nang Nguyen has spent six years competing in elite power lifting at its highest level.
He used to play basketball for Australia but quit to take up power lifting.
Nang represented Australia in power lifting at the Commonwealth Games this year, finishing eighth and is ranked eighth in the Commonwealth and seventh in the world in the 59kg class.
He is also ranked first in Australia in the 59kg class and second in Australia in the mixed class.
His best lift is an incredible bench list of 142kg.
Before he went to the Olympics, Nang represented WA and Mandurah at the National Power Lifting event where he finished first in mixed lightweight men from 44kg to 72kg.
He has been undefeated in Nationals as a light weight lifter for four years.
Winners:
Sports Person of the Year – Nang Nguyen
Senior Sports Person of the Year – Oswald Igel
Junior Sports Person of the Year – Damien Burrage
Sports Person with a Disability of the Year – Jim Davis
Club of the Year – North Mandurah Junior Football Club
Team of the Year – Mandurah Magic: SBL Women’s Team
Junior Team of the Year – Peel Thunderbirds Youth Girls Rogers Cup Team
Male Volunteer of the Year – Ian Robinson
Female volunteer of the Year – Joanna Hawes