Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) swimmer and five-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alicia Coutts has capped off a remarkable year by winning the 2010 Swimmer of the Year Award at Swimming Australia’s night of nights in Melbourne.

Coutts led the charge for the AIS at the event, as three other AIS coaches and athletes were also rewarded for their outstanding performances in 2010.

The 22-year-old Coutts, who won gold in the 200m IM, 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle and 4x100m medley and freestyle relays at the Commonwealth Games, was a clear winner of the major award based on her outstanding individual performances in Delhi last month.

An Olympic finalist in the 200m IM in Beijing, Coutts missed out on selection on the Australian team last year due to illness, and her outstanding performances in 2010 showed that hard work, determination and talent are all that is needed to re-group from such a set-back.

A key contributor to Australia’s 22 gold medals and 54 overall in Delhi, Coutts will continue to train at the AIS under her coach John Fowlie, who was named Coach of the Year, in the lead up to next year’s World Championships in Shanghai and ultimately aim for success at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

AIS coach Fowlie proved his pedigree as an international swimming coach in 2010 as his AIS swimming stable sweeping to success in the pool at Delhi and his role will be pivotal in the lead up to the London Games.

Six-time IPC gold medallist Peter Leek added to the success of the AIS on the evening being named as the Multi Class Swimmer of the Year, while Graeme Carroll was named Multi Class Coach of the Year.

The 2010 Swimmer of the Year Awards were held at the Melbourne Convention Centre with more than 550 people in attendance.

2010 Swimmer of the Year Award Winners

Swimmer of the Year Award – Alicia Coutts (AIS)
People’s Choice Award – Geoff Huegill
Swimmers’ Swimmer Award – Geoff Huegill
Multi Class Swimmer of the Year – Peter Leek (AIS)
Open Water Swimmer of the Year – Melissa Gorman
Golden Moment – Geoff Huegill
Coach of the Year – John Fowlie (AIS)
Short Course Swimmer of the Year – Leisel Jones
Australian Sports Commission Discovery of the Year – Katie Goldman
Swimming Australia Media Award – Gerry Collins, ABC Grandstand
Multi Class Coach of the Year – Graeme Carroll (AIS)
Open Water Coach of the Year – Ken Wood
The Age Group Coach of the Year – Michael Palfrey
Leadership Award – Blair Evans
Club of the Year – Sydney University
Roger Smith Technical Official of the Year – Ryan Arblaster and David Gregory