Swimming’s triple treat at AIS Sport Performance Awards
Swimming Australia, February 26, 2016: Triple world champion Emily Seebohm, highly-respected St Peters Western coach Michael Bohl and Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson are the toast of swimming today after last night’s AIS Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs) Gala in Sydney.
It was an exciting night for Swimming Australia, with triple FINA World Champion Emily Seebohm taking out the prestigious Berlei Female Athlete of the Year for her amazing results in 2015 before;
St Peters Western Podium Centre Head Coach Michael Bohl was awarded the Melbourne Business School Coach of the Year for his work with dual backstroke world champion Mitch Larkin.
And CEO Mark Anderson’s due recognition for his tireless work over the past three years, winning the Melbourne Business School Award for Leadership.
Capping a great night for swimming, dual backstroke world champion Larkin was also a finalist of the who’s who in the Male Athlete category while Paralympic world champion Ellie Cole was also a finalist in the highly competitive Para Performance of the Year and the Sports Personality category.
Seebohm had a memorable year dominating at the 2015 FINA World Swimming Championships, winning gold in the 100 and 200 metres backstroke and the 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay.
She broke the Commonwealth 200 metres backstroke record and became the first Australian to win the 100-200-metres backstroke double at the world championships.
“Part of me wished 2015 would just keep going; I have to pinch myself sometimes and ask myself – how did I do that ?” said Seebohm.
“It was a crazy year and one I know I will look back over with a great deal of satisfaction and pride.
“I have taken so much away from each race and knowing that there are still things I can learn as I prepare for Rio.
“And I know there is no relaxing, especially when I know the countdown to Trials is really on.”
Seebohm reflected over her breakthrough year.
“To win those world championships was amazing and to come home and to be named the Australian Swimmer of the Year and now the AIS Female Athlete for 2015 against some amazing girls like Bronte Campbell, Kim Crow and Annette Edmondson was a dream come true,” she said.
“I have to thank my coach David Lush and my family for all the support they have given me over the past 12 months, I could not have done it without them.”
Bohl coached six athletes on to the Australian Dolphins Team for the 2015 FINA World Championships who went on to win five gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the meet, including Larkin, Madison Wilson, Bronte Barratt, Madeline Groves, Emma McKeon and Grant Irvine.
He also coached Larkin to a world record in the 200m backstroke at the 2015 Australian Short Course Championships.
“It is always nice to get the recognition for work which is actually done by the swimmers who all did a great job and it is good to see them reap the fruits of your labour,” said Bohl.
“Mitch Larkin was able to achieve his results through pure hard work – there is no substitute for hard work and I learnt that from my coaches Bill Sweetenham and Laurie Lawrence and a host of coaches like Joe King and John Carew.”
Anderson said he was humbled to receive the Leadership award in a category that saw a strong variety of Australia’s sports leaders - Craig Tiley (Tennis), Belinda Clark (cricket) and Peter Conde (Sailing) in the final four.
“I am honoured to receive this award. I am only successful because of the great team that we have created both in and out of the pool. We are aligned and committed at all levels from our Board, led by chairman John Bertrand our talented staff, coaches and swimmers and broader swimming community," Anderson said.
“It is very much a team effort and that’s why it is so satisfying to look back over the past 12 months and know all the people who have played a part in swimming’s success both in and out of the pool.
“I am delighted to have so many nominees and for Emily to win the top female award and for Michael to receive his due recognition for his tireless work on the pool deck capped off a great night for our sport.”
About 300 of Australia’s sporting personalities gathered for the second annual ASPAs.
Whilst celebrating the results of the Kazan World Championships, Anderson reinforced the message from Dolphins Head Coach Jacco Verhaeren that while the results were satisfying, we have a lot of hard work ahead of us over the next five months as we prepare for Rio.
To purchase tickets to the 2016 Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships that double as Olympic and Paralympic selection, and to see the likes of Seebohm and Larkin race LIVE, click here: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=SWIMFINA16
Issued on behalf of Swimming Australia by
Ian Hanson| Media Manager
Ian Hanson| Media Manager Triathlon Australia Managing Director
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