Australian women’s players and coaches named finalists for NSWIS Awards
Published Wed 23 Oct 2019
A successful 12 months for our Aussie Stingers has led to two nominations at this years NSWIS Awards as well as the NSWIS women’s program.
Rio Olympian Lea Yanitsas has earnt on her place on the list of finalists for the Ian Thorpe AM Outstanding Achievement award Presented by Ryde Toyota after overcoming some significant challenges over the past year.
The goalkeeper was recalled to the Aussie Stingers in March, following the birth of her child in October 2018.Yanitsas’ commitment earned her selection into the national team for the 2019 FINA World Championships, where she went on to win a bronze medal alongside her Stingers team mates.
In addition to her sporting and personal commitments, Yanitsas also dedicates what’s left of her time to completing her Masters in Physiotherapy.
Aussie Stingers Assistant Coach Rebecca Rippon has also been recognised as a finalist in the Southern Design Coach of the Year category. Rippon, who previously held coaching roles with NSWIS and the ACU Cronulla Sharks as part of the OVO Australian Waterpolo League, has joined up with the Aussie Stingers coaching ranks, the dual Olympian helping to usher through the next generation of aspiring Olympians.
In recognising the outstanding results achieved by the women’s water polo players in the last 12 months, the NSWIS program has achieved finalist status in the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Program of the Year category.
The annual awards will be presented at a celebration at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Thursday 14 November, with the best sporting talent from across New South Wales in attendance.
The awards recognise and honour the achievements of NSWIS athletes, coaches and sport programs across eight categories.
