The Hunter Academy of sport prepares the following column for the Newcastle Herald in the Tuesday Junior Sports Section.
The Hunter Academy of Sport and the Council of the City of Lake Macquarie will again in 2012 be sponsoring and supporting the Hunter Region Schools Sports Awards (ie. for schools throughout the Hunter Valley from Taree in the north to Merriwa in the west). All primary and secondary schools in all school systems may apply (on behalf of their students who gain successes or achievements, either when playing or officiating, on the sporting field) for these awards throughout the year (from March to October).
Monthly awards will be made to a boy and girl at both primary and secondary schools levels as well as to a successful school team. In October a review of the monthly winners will take place and an annual scholarship will be awarded to one youngster in each of the four categories, as well as to the most outstanding school team.
The monthly winners, their parents and their school principals will be invited to a presentation ceremony to be held at South Newcastle Leagues Club during November, at which the annual scholarships and award will be presented. Last year’s scholarship winners were – Cassidy McLean (St Mary’s Primary School, Warners Bay), Cooper Jenkins (Hunter Valley Grammar School), Rachel Jones (Glendale Technology High School), Luke Remington (Hunter Sports High School) and the teams award winner was New Lambton Primary School’s Girls KO Netball Team.
The Hunter Academy believes that it is important to recognise the achievements of young people in our schools and encourages principals and school staff to nominate youngsters from their schools throughout the year.
These awards have become prestigious and are regarded highly in both the school and sporting communities.
Nominations are to be received at the Hunter Academy of Sport Office (P.O Box 726, The Junction 2291) by the 7th day of each month (March to October). For example, nominations for the month of February should be received by the Hunter Academy of Sport by the 7th March 2012. All nominations received during the year will be reviewed monthly on a continuing basis
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The Hunter Academy of Sport hockey talent development squad is preparing for the 2012 Academy Games Hockey Tournament and has two training sessions during March, both at the Newcastle International Hockey Centre on Sunday 4 March and on Sunday 18 March. These sessions will both run from 9.00am to 12.00 noon.
The members of the 2011 – 2012 Hunter Academy hockey squads are:
Girls – Kiahni Abell (Rankin Park), Samantha Danckert (Terrigal), Louise Egan (Narara), Mikala Fulmer (Blacksmiths), Cassidy Gallagher (Lake Haven), Ashley Harry (Cundletown), Estelle Hughes (Lambton), Sonia Johnston (Hallidays Point), Charlotte Jones (Narara), Brielle Lovekin (Windale), Taylah McIntosh (Taree), Payton Mortimer (Woongarrah), Olivia Mudie (Wingham), Georgia Perkins (Hamilton South), Sophie Robinson (Merewether), Hayley Trickett (Maryland), Cheyenne Turner (Taree), Hannah Ward (Dudley), Rebecca Ward (Dudley) and Mariah Williams (Teralba). 
Boys – Christopher Boyle (Merewether), Jacob Dearing (Mount Hutton), Brodie Denson (Tumbi Umbi), Thomas Duck (Hamilton South), Benjamin Ferguson (Bohnock), Toby Ferguson (Newcastle East), Isaac George (Taree), Blake Hinton (Taree), Robbie McGuire (Hamlyn Terrace), Matthew Magann (Ashtonfield), William Messer (Hillville), Bailey Pitman (Taree), Llyod Radcliffe (Macmasters Beach), Jack Venables (Forresters Beach), Jack Verheul (New Lambton Heights), Shawn Virtue (Wallsend), Mitchell Watson (Cundletown) and Matthew Wesley (Taree).
The squad staff include Kylie Magann (Program Co-ordinator), Steve Orchard, Stewart Dearing, Wade Sharrock, Mark Drenan, Nathan Ball and Stephen Mina.
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The Greater Building Society is providing superb support for the Hunter Academy of Sport in a number of very significant areas. One of the long standing areas of such support through the scholarship scheme which provides considerable financial support on an annual basis for ten selected Hunter Region ‘potential Olympians’.
All youngsters who live in our region and are participating with some success in an Olympic sport are eligible to apply for these scholarships during the August, September period each year.
Each scholarship involves an amount of $2000.00.
The ten present scholarship holders are Meg Bailey (Swimming), Liam Gander (Athletics - Sprints), Benn Harradine (Athletics – Discus), Simon Orchard (Hockey), Nathan Outteridge (Sailing), Nathan Power (Water Polo), Aaron Royle (Triathlon), Liam Speers (Athletics – Discus), Ty Swadling (Trampoline) and Laura Whaler (Athletics – Sprints).
These youngsters and the Hunter Academy of Sport (which co-ordinates the scholarship programme) are very appreciative of the support which the Greater Building Society is so readily providing. The academy is confident that a number of these scholarship holders will not only be selected to go to this year’s London Olympics, but will do well in their respective Olympic competitions.
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What a great summer of sport we’ve just enjoyed. The highlights were the cricket test series involving two of the world’s best cricket sides, and the Australian Tennis Championships. Both of these events provided us with great entertainment and top quality competition.
However, on the downside, some poor sportsmanship and a number of incidents involving inappropriate behaviour and media coverage again managed to nullify to a degree the many positive outcomes from what was wonderful summer of sport.
It is ridiculous to suggest that the highly paid professionals involved in these sports are “under tremendous pressure” and that there is a need for them to express their frustrations (and in so doing intimidate the officials and at times their opposition).
Unfortunately this “relieving of frustrations” often involves deliberate attempts to upset the opposition and these along with the subsequent delays in play that they cause, at times degenerate into moronic behaviour which is very quickly mimicked by the thousands of youngsters who adore our champions as their heroes and role models.
Professional players ought to be held responsible for their actions. If they don’t abide by a reasonable (and respect the rules of the game, clearly defined) code of behaviour, they should be penalized in a manner which is appropriate and relevant.
Sports administrators should always not only appear to be in control, but should assert authority in a considered manner with respect to all aspects of the activities for which they are responsible.
While the players and coaches should have an input when standards etc. are being established, the administrators need to ensure that such standards are maintained and that listed penalties are imposed when misdemeanors occur.
In our modern society it is becoming more and more difficult to recruit capable people as officials (referees and umpires). If those presently officiating are not provided with appropriate support by the administrators and as a result are treated like door mats, the likelihood of capable people offering their services as officials will continue to diminish.
The term “even playing field” is appropriate to this situation, and neither officials nor players should be afforded any special favours with respect to standards of behaviour by the administration of their sport.
All involved in sport should be shown respect, in response to which they should behave in a dignified manner, particularly at the top levels of sport where the receipt of often extraordinary financial rewards should ensure that highest standards of professionalism and ethical behaviour are maintained.
2012-school-sports-awards-nomination-form.pdf