There’s awards – and then there’s the Wests Group Macarthur sport awards.
Every year the Wests honours are full of great stories of sporting achievements across the Macarthur region, and 2023 was no exception.
From Tegan Bertolissio, a Matilda superstar in the making to the Camden Cats AFL premiership winning women’s team, the Wests Sports Council awards had everything that’s best about sport.
The presentation night was held on Monday night and afterwards Martin Bullock, Wests Group Macarthur sports secretary said it was “once again another fantastic display of talent, sportsmanship and effort from around our sporting community’’.
“We really take great pride in recognising and rewarding these achievements and appreciate the effort from all the clubs to supply fantastic nominations from their respective clubs,’’ Mr Bullock said.
The main award – the big one – elite sports person of the year, went to Tegan Bertolissio, currently of Macarthur Rams.
The 17 year old football star on the rise was selected in the Junior Matildas (national) team and was an integral part of the squad that won the AFF U18 Asian Cup in 2022.
Earlier this year, Tegan was also selected in the Young Matildas (Australia’s U20) squad that travelled to the Kyrgyz Republic in March for the first round of the 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.
Tegan played 29 first grade games for the Macarthur Rams this season and stellar form has seen her earn her first professional contract, a contract with A-League club Canberra United for the 2023/24 season.
Tegan couldn’t be at the Wests awards on Monday night, and her father Paul, pictured above, accepted the award on her behalf.
The elite sports team of the year was Macarthur Rams NPL3 U13 boys, coached by former Socceroo Brett Emerton.
The team, pictured above, took out the premiership in the Football NSW National Premier Leagues (NPL) Youth League 3 competition this season, dropping only one game along the way to finish with 81 out of 83 points.
This team also features the leading goal scorer in any age group throughout the Football NSW NPL competition in 2023 with Isaiah Nakasenh scoring an amazing 59 goals this year.
Junior sportsperson of the year (U12) was Lewis Eddie, Wests Hockey Club, with the runner up Jade Williams, Macarthur BMX.
Lewis Eddie, pictured at right, was part of the Metropolitan South West Hockey under 13s representative side and competed in indoor hockey in the Under 13s 2022/23 side and the Sydney South West Championships, where he captained the team.
He was also awarded the MSW Association best and fairest award for the Under 13s age group, as voted by umpires.
Youth sportsperson of the year (12-16 years) was Jack Jones, Eschol Park Athletics Club. Runner up: Asher Alex, Magpies cricket club.
Jack Jones competed in under 14 javelin, winning the zone event. He also won at regional level, which earned him a place in the state titles, where he finished second overall.
Senior sportsperson of the year was Aaron Waters, Tennis Macarthur. Runner up: Karen Lake, Macarthur Triathlon Club.
Aaron Waters had a successful summer, winning a number of prestigious singles events as well as being an important contributor to team wins in the Blackwell Cup and Sydney Premier League.
Aaron took out open singles at Bateman’s Bay and Tennis Macarthur Club Championships, AMT singles at Rockdale, Blackwell Cup singles and doubles, and Sydney Premier League singles and doubles.
He also won the Rosewell Medal for the Best and Fairest at the Blackwell Cup.
Sports club team of the year: Camden Cats AFL Club senior women’s team. Runner up: Campbelltown Ghosts Club senior baseball team, Division 1 Ballers
The Camden Cats senior women’s team (pictured top) had an outstanding season losing only one game on their way to the 2023 AFL Sydney division 3 premiership.
Theirs was a terrific story of persistence having finished third last the previous season.
Gemma Bartolillo won the AFL Sydney League Best and Fairest award and was best on ground in the grand final held back in September.
The premiership win for this women’s side is the first in the women’s program in the history of the Camden Cats Senior AFL Club.
Spirit of sport this year went to Darren Hooton, of Mount Annan Swimming Club. Runner up was Mark Hamilton, of Tennis Macarthur.
Darren Hooton has been the treasurer and a volunteer of the Mount Annan Swim Club for over 10 years.
He has always been a big helper when the club runs its long course carnivals each year – arriving early to set up tents, barbecue and all other equipment.
He is usually the chief timekeeper at every competition and is often the last to leave at the end of the day.
