Emerging dressage star Lauren Rowe has taken out the South West Academy of Sport’s highest honour for her achievements over the past year.
SWAS held its annual awards at the Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse on Saturday night, with a packed room in attendance to find out who would take home the nine accolades on offer.
Lauren Rowe was the big winner of the night, taking out the Sports Star of the Year award after being awarded the Individual Female Athlete of the Year Award earlier in the evening.
She said the honour was the cherry of top of her great night, but admitted there was little time to stop and celebrate.
I’m going to be at work just before 5am (Sunday) morning, so I’m sure I’ll be buzzing and I’ll still be on a high, but the goal doesn’t stop and the dream doesn’t stop, Rowe said.
Andrew Longmore was the recipient of the Wally Foreman Coach of the Year award for his work with multiple organisations, including Football Margaret River and the Leeuwin Naturaliste Junior Soccer Association.
He joked the award was the best thing I have ever won in my life.
I love coaching and it’s definitely not about the accolades…but especially here in the South West, it’s just providing opportunities for young players and trying to give them love for the game so that they take it through forever and hopefully one day they’ll coach too, Longmore said.
Thomas Cross took out the Individual Male Athlete of the Year honour for numerous wins in cross country and running competitions, while Hockey player Luke Blee nudged out his brother Toby to claim Team Male Athlete of the Year.
Grace Millichamp was awarded Team Female Athlete of the Year for her impressive year in Netball, which saw her take out the most valuable player accolade for the Souwest Jets’ 20 and under side.
Rhianna De Guiseppe was awarded the Emerging Star of the Year for her success in the athletics field.
