Brent Harding Memorial Award for Swimming
Brent Harding was an international swimmer who pursued the highest ideals of personal integrity, loyalty, academic achievement and elite swimming. A wonderful role model, he committed himself enthusiastically to his fellow athletes, coaches and the AIS, earning the respect of all who knew him. This award is presented annually to the AIS swimmer who best represents the ideals that Brent demonstrated. The winner of the Brent Harding Memorial Award is Belinda Hocking.

Belinda joined the AIS as a 15-year-old in 2006. Until that time, her talent in the pool was nurtured by her parents, who for seven years drove the young athlete from country Victoria to training sessions in not-so-nearby Albury, a round trip of two hours.

Such dedication was rewarded this year. A succession of podium performances heralded Belinda’s arrival on the international stage, most notably her Australian record-breaking 200-metre backstroke swim at the 2011 Telstra Australian Swimming Championships. However, it was at the FINA World Championships in July that Belinda caught the world’s attention. She won silver and set a new Australian record of 2:06.06 in the 200-metre backstroke, the second fastest time in a textile suit in the world. Showing true champion determination, Belinda then returned to the pool a mere 50 minutes later to win bronze as part of the women’s 4 x 100-metre medley relay team. Belinda in an integral member of the AIS squad, and engages schoolchildren with inspirational and humorous stories about her experiences as an elite athlete.

Nathan Meade Memorial Award for Diving
Nathan Meade was one of Australia’s most promising divers, but his dream of representing his country at the Olympic Games was cut short when he died in a training accident in 1987. This award is presented annually to the AIS diver who best embodies Nathan’s commitment to the pursuit of excellence. The recipient of the Nathan Meade Memorial Award for Diving is Sharleen Stratton.

Sharleen fought back from shoulder surgery to add a world championship medal to her 2010 Commonwealth Games gold. Teaming with new diving partner Anabelle Smith only three months earlier, the pair claimed a bronze medal in the three-metre synchronised diving event at the FINA World Championships. Sharleen also achieved Australia’s best result in individual competition with a fifth place finish in the one-metre springboard event. An AIS scholarship holder for nearly nine years, Sharleen has been recognised for her contribution to the AIS and diving be being honoured with the Nathan Meade Memorial Award three times.

Gary Knoke Memorial Award for Track and Field
Gary Knoke was one of Australia’s leading hurdles coaches who passed away after a long battle with cancer. Gary was one of Australia’s finest athletes, competing at three Olympic Games and four Commonwealth Games. He held the Australian 400-metre hurdles record and won seven national titles between 1965 and 1973. In 1966, he was ranked number one in the world at the 400-metre hurdles. The winner of the Gary Knoke Memorial Award for Track and Field is Chloe Jamieson.

In her short career as an athlete, 17-year-old Chloe has already broken both the Australian under-18 400-metre and under-16 200-metre hurdles records. She joined the AIS January 2011 to train under coach Matt Beckenham, with great results. She was selected to represent Australia at this year’s IAAF World Youth Championships after winning the women’s under-18 400-metre hurdles at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in March. Chloe is currently completing high school, and is a talent to watch.

Darren Smith Memorial Award for Road Cycling
Darren Smith was an Olympian and one of Australia’s most promising road cyclists until he tragically died in a training accident in 1992. This award is presented annually to the under-21 cyclist who performed best in national and international events. The winner of the Darren Smith Memorial Award for Road Cycling is Jay McCarthy.

Jay started competitive cycling at the age of 15 and began competing in the under-23 ranks this year. He was quickly selected to join the AIS as a rider for Cycling Australia’s internationally success Team Jayco AIS. Jay excelled in the prestigious U23 Thüringen Rundfahrt tour in June this year, wearing the leader’s yellow jersey for four days before eventually finishing fourth overall. His season results earned him selection in the Australian Cyclones team for the under-23 road race at the 2011 UCI Road World Championships, where Jay played a key support role for his team. Jay’s rapid development in elite cycling will soon see him achieve his ambition of becoming a professional cyclist in the European peloton.

Ben Mitchell Medal for AFL
Ben Mitchell was a member of the AIS/AFL Academy’s fifth intake. His contribution to the program was strong, quiet and purposeful and his self-confidence was endearing to his team-mates and staff. Tragically, Ben died in a car accident in 2002. The Ben Mitchell Medal is awarded to the athlete who, during their intake year, best typifies the qualities demonstrated by Ben Mitchell. The winner of the Ben Mitchell Medal for AFL is Matthew Buntine.

Matthew has proven himself a natural leader, both on and off the field. A member of the 2011 AIS/AFL Academy, the highly skilled and versatile athlete was identified by AIS/AFL High Performance Coach Michael O’Loughlin as one of the best and most consistent players on the team. His Academy team-mates selected Matthew as the recipient of the Ben Mitchell Medal for his leadership, judgment and strong team focus. Matthew will enter the 2011 national draft to be held at the end of the month.

Bob Staunton Memorial Award for Basketball
Bob Staunton is a name recognised throughout Australian and international sport for his tremendous contribution to basketball. During his time as chief executive officer of Basketball Australia, Bob was instrumental in establishing the Australian Junior Championships, the National Junior Teams Programs and the Junior World Championships for men and women. He was a driving force behind the establishment of the AIS Basketball program. In 2006 Bob was inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to the sport. Basketball Australia and the AIS established the Bob Staunton Memorial Award for Basketball in 1991. The award is presented to an outstanding female and male AIS Basketball athlete each year. The recipients of the Bob Staunton Memorial Award are Owen Odigie and Casey Samuels.

Owen is in his second year at the AIS. He has represented Australia at international level from the age of 16, most recently as a member of the team that competed at the FIBA U19 World Championship in Latvia. Owen in an exciting athlete who runs the floor well, powers through players for rebounds and scores, and is an excellent on-ball defender. Owen has been identified as a future prospect for the national senior men’s squad.

Casey is in her first year as an AIS scholarship holder. She was critical in helping secure Australia’s gold medal at the 2010 FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in New Caledonia. Casey is an athletic player who demonstrates a natural ability to score and rebound. A talented guard, she was one of only four athletes recently selected to represent Australia at the first invitational 3 x 3 Youth World Championship in Italy. The 17-year-old is already on track to represent Australia at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship.