Swimming Australia has celebrated one of its most successful years on record with the history making performances in Tokyo acknowledged at this year’s Swimming Australia Awards, proudly supported by the City of Gold Coast.
Athletes, coaches and support staff from the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic campaign gathered at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast last night, including some joining virtually, as the team spent the evening reflecting on their achievements.
Emma McKeon capped a remarkable year by being named the Olympic Program Swimmer of the Year following her record seven medal haul, while butterfly specialist and triple Gold medalist from the Tokyo Paralympics, Will Martin, was crowned Paralympic program swimmer of the year.
In just reward and recognition for their work, both McKeon and Martin’s coaches were also celebrated as Michael Bohl and David Proud took home the Olympic and Paralympic Program Coach of the Year award respectively.
Sunshine Coast product Kareena Lee’s achievements were celebrated as she was named Open Water Program Swimmer of the Year after becoming the first Australian to claim a medal in marathon swimming - amazingly taking home bronze after a gruelling 10km race.
Lee’s coach, John Rodgers, was also named Open Water Program Coach of the Year.
St Peters Western mentor Dean Boxall was crowned Youth Coach of the Year after another highly successful year, including guiding Mollie O’Callaghan to Tokyo as the youngest member of the Australian Olympic team where she broke the Junior World Record in the 200m freestyle, won two Gold and one Bronze medal as part of Australia’s successful relay teams.
Para athletes Ben Popham and Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson beat a hotly contested field to share joint honours in the popular Swimmers’ Swimmer of the Year award, while fellow Paralympian Benjamin Hance was crowned the AIS Discovery of the Year after claiming a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal on his Paralympic debut in Tokyo.
Swimming Australia CEO, Eugénie Buckley, said the awards were a perfect underline to an outstanding campaign.
“The legacy of the historic achievements of our Olympic and Paralympic teams in Tokyo will inspire generations of Australians into the pool,” Buckley said.
“While our award winners tonight are certainly most deserving, everyone in the room should be proud of the role they played in one of the most successful and significant years our sport has ever experienced.”
Other winners in the 2021 Swimming Australia Awards honours list included Lori Chaplin who was named as the Roger Smith Technical Official of the Year, Wests Illawarra Aquatic Swim Club crowned APV Club of the Year and Taree Torpedoes Treasurer, Ian Smith, recognised as the Local legend of the year.
A celebration fitting of the achievements in Tokyo would not have been possible without the support of the Gold Coast City Council.
Mayor Tom Tate said it was a pleasure to host such an important event.
“We are all still brimming with excitement from what our amazing Paralympic and Olympic swimmers achieved in Tokyo,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
“To host these awards in our city is another chance for us to showcase the Gold Coast as a place to train, race, relax and recover. I wish event organisers, athletes, officials and coaches’ success at the awards. Enjoy the party.’’
2021 Swimming Australia Swimmer of the Year Award winners
Olympic Program Swimmer of the Year – Emma McKeon (Griffith University)
Paralympic Program Swimmer of the Year – Will Martin (Nudgee College Swimming)
Open Water Program Swimmer of the Year – Kareena Lee (Noosa)
Olympic Program Coach of the Year – Michael Bohl (Griffith University)
Paralympic Program Coach of the Year – David Proud (Nudgee College Swimming)
Open Water Program Coach of the Year – John Rodgers (Noosa)
Youth Coach of the Year – Dean Boxhall (St Peters Western)
Swimmers’ Swimmer – Ben Popham (Arena Swim Club) and Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson (Central Cairns)
AIS Discovery of the Year – Benjamin Hance (USC Spartans)
Roger Smith Technical Official of the Year – Lori Chaplin (Southern Cross Swimming Club, Queensland)
APV Club of the Year – Wests Illawarra Aquatic Swim Club
Local Legend of the Year – Ian Smith, Treasurer Taree Torpedoes
