The 2016 Hockey NSW awards night may have been held in Mount Panorama Rydges at Bathurst, but it was the South West Sydney Academy of Sport (SWSAS) that shined brightly.
For starters, two time Olympian and SWSAS Hockeyroo Emily Smith was MC for the night of nights for NSW hockey.
And then one of the biggest awards of the night went to another talented SWSAS operative, its head hockey coach Wayne Southwell.
High quality coaching skills across many levels during the previous 12 months by Southwell were recognised when he was named 2016 NSW Hockey Coach of the Year.
Southwell received his award from past World Hockey Player of the Year Warren Birmingham.
SWSAS executive director Gerry Knights said Southwell deserved the honour.
“What Wayne does very well is transfer the most up-to-date technical skill knowledge, gained at the highest level, directly to our region’s aspiring young athletes,’’ Knights said.
“As a local first grade coach and the academy’s head coach, he has transformed the level of professionalism, quality of athlete and team performance across our region and the State.
“Wayne is also an outstanding, highly skilled player in his own right and has represented NSW at the Masters Australian Championships on many occasions.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“But it is his passion to the development of others that puts him head and shoulder above the rest,’’ Knights said.[/social_quote]
Southwell has been an integral member of the academy coaching staff for the past 12 years and received the Outstanding Service Award at the Academy’s 2015 Graduation and Sports Awards Dinner.
The next outing for the SWSAS hockey program is participating in the ClubsNSW Academy Games on the Central Coast on April 7-9.
For information regarding Academy programs visit its website here or call 4627 7622.
