The VIATEK Central Coast Academy of Sport Awards Evening was held on Wednesday 10th November at Mingara Recreation Club. In a COVID safe room full of seated guests, athletes, parents and supporters the CCAS announced the major award winners for 2021.
The awards evening was the second stage of the restructured awards presentation. Every sporting program athletes of the year winners and encouragement award winners (who were announced online via CCAS social media platforms), were all in the running to be announced as the overall Central Coast Academy of Sport Athlete of the Year.
The CCAS is proud to announce the following winners:
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Major Awards |
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CCAS Athlete of the Year: |
Riley Millers (Golf) |
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Chairman’s Award: |
Brandy Simpson (Touch Football) |
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The Ray Sandell Dedication to Sporting Excellence: |
Dylan Littlehales (Future Stars), Matt Dawson & Nicola McDermott. |
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RASi Coaches Award: |
Peter Cliff (Golf) |
RASi Coaches Awards – Peter Cliff (Golf)
When it comes to experience look no further than the extensive background that Peter Cliff (or Cliffy to most) brings to the CCAS Golf Program. Peters coaching philosophy when assessed is underpinned by the importance of education, learn the right way to achieve better results and work on establishing solid foundations. Peter tells us that 95% of all problems can be tracked back to poor alignment, posture or grip, aspects probably taught in lesson 1, 2 and 3, sound fundamentals remains a key to an athletes success and his preaching of following the process and not the outcome will resonate with all his students.
Peter has been involved with the Central Coast Academy of Sport Golf Program for a remarkable fifteen years. The past seven as the Program head Coach, a position he both enjoys and takes great pride in. We cant think of anyone more deserving of this award, Peter’s contribution has been nothing less that exceptional.
Ray Sandell Dedication to Sporting Excellence
These awards are being presented to athletes who have excelled in their chosen sport and who have gone right to the top of the athlete pathway by representing Australia at the recent Tokyo Olympics:
Nicola McDermott (High Jump)
Matt Dawson (Hockey)
Dylan Littlehales (Para-canoe)
CCAS Chairman’s Award – Brandy Simpson
Brandy has been an integral member of the CCAS Touch football program over the last two years. Brandy is a phenomenal athlete who has demonstrated all the attributes necessary to deserve this award. Brandy has showed qualities of leadership within the group and puts in 100% effort each and every session. Brandy’s dedication to the program shines at both face to face and online sessions. We are extremely proud of Brandy and thank her for her dedicated service and contribution to the touch football program.
CCAS Athlete of the Year – Riley Millers
In a year with so many outstanding achievements by so many of the squad members it might seam difficult to select one athlete for this award but the amazing list of results achieved by Riley still made him a stand out.
2020 Central Coast Champion of champions
2020 Central Coast District champion
2020 Central Coast Schoolboy Champion
2020 Shelly Beach Open Amateur Junior Champion
2020 Magenta Shores Men’s Club Championship Runner up
Most impressive of all Riley made it to the quarter finals in the NSW Men’s Amateur Matchplay Championship an amazing result for a 15 year old.
It has earned him numerous accolades including scholarships to the JNJG Nomads, with Avondale Golf Club in Sydney and into the JNJG Development Squad.
Riley is and always has been the model squad member always ready to go at training, eager to learn, courteous and respectful. He has managed to lower his handicap down to an amazing +1 after shooting 66 6 under par at Kooindah waters in early August. He is definitely a young star on the rise and we will be watching with great pride to see how far he will go.
Life Members:
Donna Judge
Donna was introduced to the Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS) in 2011 when her daughter Casey was selected into the Netball Program. It was clear to Donna very early on that the CCAS delivered great opportunities to our young local athletes.
Donna started with the CCAS as a volunteer in the managers role in 2014 and continues to manage the CCAS Greater Bank Netball squad to this day. Donna sees her managers role as the Coach’s administrative partner, handling the squad’s organisational needs so the Coach can be free to coach.
If we were to list all the roles that Donna has taken on as manager over the years we would be here all night. Her dedication to the team and all squad members is remarkable. Donna brings the girls together to make sure that when they are wearing the CCAS colours they are one team and encourages new friendships across the entire squad.
Donna’s contribution to the Central Coast Academy of Sport has been both incredibly impressive and highly valuable and tonight we rightfully get the chance to shine the spot light on her outstanding contribution to the success of the Netball program over many years, it is a program with a very high reputation of success and that success has been built on Donna’s contribution as a valued volunteer.
Peter Cliff
For Peter Cliff or ‘Cliffy’ to most, 2021 marks thirty one years as a PGA of Australia Member and the current Head Coach of Central Coast Academy of Sport Golf program. Peter has an impressive playing background having 35 Pro Am wins, highest placing of 3rd on the NSW PGA Order of Merit, T-12th in the NZ Open an Australasian Order of Merit event, Peter has twice shot 60 in his professional career and has achieved a remarkable 7 holes in one. His success as a Professional Player was based on a very good technical game and his transition to the coaching ranks has been a transition that has benefitted many of his student athletes.
Peter has been associated with Shelly Beach Golf Club since 2004, and during his time at Shelly Beach he has been involved with the CCAS Golf Program both indirectly as a Guest and/or Assistant Coach and directly as the Head Coach. Peter has been involved with the CCAS Golf Program for a remarkable fifteen (15) years. The past seven as the Program head Coach, a position he both enjoys and takes great pride in.
Peter has helped over twenty students into the PGA of Australia membership, athletes who advanced via the PGA Trainee program to full Membership of the Association, Peter had one student on the LPGA Tour, and Peter is regarded as a PGA Trainee Mentor. Peters junior program at Shelly Beach Golf Club was acknowledged as the best in NSW in 2019, a worthy recognition for a person committed to the sport and his students.
Tonight we rightfully get the chance to shine the spot light on Cliffy’s outstanding contribution to the success of the Central Coast Academy of Sport and his active involvement in the golf program for the past 15 years.
