<16.07.06> - Athletics Tasmania Athlete of the Year Awards

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06 Aug 2006

Donna MacFarlane has capped a stellar comeback season in 2005-06 to win Athletics Tasmania’s Female Athlete of the Year Award for the first time.

The Sandy Bay Harriers member, after taking time out from the sport to start a family, returned to athletics with stunning results, led by bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games in the steeplechase and the 2006 World Cross Country Championships.

The Male Award was won by once again by North West’s Graham Hicks, who narrowly missed the Games team in the discus after one of the most hard fought of selection battles, in which five qualified athletes slugged it out for the three available spots.

The Under 20 Male category went to AIS based, Sandy Bay athlete, Tristan Thomas - the only Tasmanian male to make the Commonwealth Games athletics team. He set personal bests in the 400m hurdles to make the team and at the Games – an outstanding effort from a very talented young athlete.

Prolific record breaker in the women’s hammer, Anita Millington (North Launceston) took home the Female Under 20 Award whilst rising stars Karinna Fyfe (NL) and Ryan Foster (SB) were supreme in the under 18 categories.

Nominations were strongest in the under 16 awards, which were won by Lauren Vaessen (NL) and Hamish Peacock (Eastern Suburbs), who spent the morning before today’s Awards Luncheon held at the Domain Athletic Centre, setting yet another state under age javelin record.

Athletics Tasmania also announced that it had bestowed its Merit Award on two leading officials – Charmaine Colbeck of Launceston and Brendon Hill of Hobart.

Judy Casey of the Riverside Club received the Association’s Special Award whilst State Team Manager, Rosemary Coleman was recognised with the President’s Appreciation Award.

The state’s coaches were also recognised with veteran mentor Max Cherry named the Tasmanian Coach of the Year, for myriad achievements throughout the year, including guiding MacFarlane and Foster to national teams.

Emerging throws coach, Evan Peacock was the recipient of the Coaches Recognition Award for his work with young throwers and the state branch of the Coaches Association.

North Launceston won two of the three club awards – the Blake Shield for the state club champions and the Kohl Shield for the most successful club in women’s senior events at the State Championships. Sandy Bay took out the men’s equivalent – the Hobart Harrier Cup.

Athletics Tasmania President, Brian Roe, said the quality of those recognised indicated the emerging strength of Tasmanian athletics.

“The achievements of not only the winners of this year’s awards but of all those nominated is very encouraging. We are very hopeful that our sport is about to enjoy a significant period of growth and success.”


Hobart – 16 July 2006


Further information: Brian Roe 0438 604 571