Hunter duo Georgia Beikoff and Lauren Parker will vie for the same honour at the NSW Sports Awards this month.
The talented pair has been announced as finalists in the Athlete of the Year with a Disability category.
They’ll go head-to-head with the likes of Tim Hodge (swimming), Mali Lovell (athletics) and Lieutenant Commander David Miln (biathlon and Nordic skiing).
Another local product, in Cardiff Hawks junior Isaac Heeney, is lining up for Athlete of the Year when the winners are revealed at The Sydney Event Centre – The Star, Pyrmont, on Monday 24 November.
He’ll face Bridget Conrad (sailing), Jessica Fox OAM (paddle), Grace Kim (golf), Nicola Olyslagers (athletics) and Saya Sakakibara (cycling – BMX) for the top gong.
Valentine Eleebana junior Beikoff was a member of the ParaMatildas who claimed the IFCPF Women’s World Cup 2024.
The Aussies defeated USA 6-2 in the gold medal match.
For good measure, the Lake Macquarie star booted two goals.
Beikoff, who is eyeing off the 2032 Brisbane Paralympics, has also represented the “green and gold” in the 4 x 100m and javelin, where she won bronze at London in 2012.
“I’ve played a lot of sports over the years,” she said.
“But, I think football has just been the one sport that I have absolutely loved and it has taken me place.
“It’s really hard to explain but it has always been there and become a second nature because I have played it so long.
“When people ask me ‘what’s your favourite sport?’, it’s got to be football.
“It will always be special every time I put on the jersey.”
Meanwhile, Parker needs no introduction.
She’s the reigning Australian Paralympian of the Year after winning gold in paratriathlon and paracycling at last year’s Paris Games.
Earlier this month, the Newcastle champion captured the T100 tour event at the World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong.
Sport NSW CEO Stuart Hodge congratulated all 64 finalists across the 12 award categories.
“The exceptional level of performances NSW sport has produced, both on and off the field of play, never ceases to amaze me,” he said.
“It is a true reflection of the dedication and hard work done by so many for so long as they aspire to achieve sporting excellence.
“The quality of category submissions this year is again outstanding.
“These performances and achievements continue to raise the bar and set new benchmarks for all sport to aspire to as we turbo-charge along the green and gold highway towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The ceremony will also celebrate five NSW sports greats – Graham Arnold (football), Mo’onia Gerrard OAM (netball), Naazmi Johnston (gymnastics), Mark “Mono” Stewart (adaptive surfing) and Ricky Stuart AM (rugby league) – being inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions.
For more sports stories:
- Heeney bringing Swans ‘home’ for Community Camp
- Mark Milligan: Piloting the Jets’ new era
- Holbrook excited as star halves set to unite at Knights
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