Athletics Australia – News – Pearson, Hannan and the Jumps Program win at QAS Awards

Athletics golden girl Sally Pearson (Qld) has become the first Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) athlete to win the prestigious Peter Lacey Award for Sporting Excellence twice, Recreation and Sport Minister Steve Dickson announced today.

The London Olympic gold medallist today was announced as the winner of the award at the academy’s awards presentation ceremony at QAS headquarters at Nathan.

Mr Dickson said Pearson had also taken out the award in 2011 following her stellar international season.

“The Peter Lacey Award is the highest accolade bestowed on QAS athletes,” Mr Dickson said.

“Sally Pearson was the stand-out achiever for 2012, with her gold in the 100 metres hurdles in London being her crowning achievement.”

Previously, winners of the Peter Lacey Award were ineligible for nomination, however to ensure the award continued to go to the most deserved QAS athlete from throughout the season, a change was made to open the door for all former winners.

QAS Executive Director Bennett King said it was impossible for the QAS Board to overlook Pearson’s performances from last year.

“For this change to be made to a long standing award such as this illustrates how proud the QAS are of Sally and her performances on and off the track throughout 2012,” Mr King said.

Following her outstanding season in 2011, Pearson picked up where she left off with an almost unblemished record conceding only her first loss in 34 starts just prior to the 2012 Olympic Games.

If anything this loss acted as further motivation to achieve her ultimate goal of Olympic gold in London, which Pearson won in an Olympic record time.

“You work so hard at training and at competition and you work hard to do well for your country and your state and family and friends, and so to come away with awards like this, it is just the icing on the cake,” Pearson said.

“To be able to win the award for the second time is just amazing.”

In another coup for the now internationally renowned pair, Pearson’s coach Sharon Hannan was named 2012 QAS Coach of the Year, following her win in 2011 that saw her become the first woman to win the award.

“I really appreciate this award because it is an elite sport award, it is really special,” Hannan said.

“I’d like to thank the QAS particularly for their unbelievable support over the years especially sport science in assisting the Sally and Sharon show. It’s been an eye opener and for the most part we have gotten better because of them.”

In what was obviously a great year for athletics, the third award of the ceremony – the Sport Program of the Year – was won by the QAS Jumps Program.

Head Coach Gary Bourne accepted the award, which recognises the program that had the most consistent success on the national and international stage while also making significant use of the facilities and services provided at the Academy.

The award includes a $20,000 budget incentive for the further development of the program.

“It is a great honour to accept this award, there are so many people to thank. It has been a big teamwork program,” Bourne said.

“I accept the award very gratefully and graciously on behalf of everyone involved and a huge thanks to everybody who has made a contribution to Jumps across the past 12 months.”

With thanks to the Queensland Academy of Sport

 

Athletics Australia – News