The 2022 Westfields Athletics Club Presentation Night
130 athletes, coaches, guests, relatives and friends packed the Canley Heights Function room on Wednesday 11th of May. By all feedback received we celebrated probably the best function in the 31 year history of the club. Just over $7000 in prizemoney and athlete representative assistance was handed-out. Our Special Guest was Aaron Warburton (Chief Executive Officer) of the Canterbury Bulldogs. Aaron was in the Westfields Sports Athletics Program. He was part of our most successful ever team in 2000 when at the Australian All Schools when we won 30 National medals and set 3 Australian records all the one meeting. Aaron was part of our Australian record breaking 4x100m relay team. He was also the NSWCHS champion for high jump as a 15 year old.
Aaron spoke brilliantly displaying his feelings, "It is great to see the fires are still burning". His reference was towards the passion of the 'Westfields family' and how it still exists. Aaron's generosity in attending the function was not realised until after when it was revealed he had cancelled his flight to Brisbane for the 'Magic Round NRL weekend'. He had to fly out early the morning after presentation night (7.00 am flight) and attend 7 hours of meetings with all NRL CEOs that day. Furthermore he must have had heavily weighing in the back of his mind the fact he knew of the pending sacking of Canterbury's coach that weekend. With all that going on he accepted my invitation to attend the Westfields Presentation. As proof Aaron is still a member of the Westfields Family I recall the day the media announced he had been chosen as the new Canterbury Bulldog's CEO. I immediately rang him and the first thing he said when he picked up the phone was " Such, before you say anything I just want you to know my phone has been ringing constantly since the announcement. I have only picked-up twice, once for my mum and once for you".
Above Aaron Warburton (CEO Bulldogs) with Hayley Butler, Sharyn Dickson and Such. Above centre: 2000 Australian All Schools (Aaron 2nd from left) with Fabrice Lapierre, Scott Burriss and Joven Clarke. They set a new Australian All Schools record for 4x100m. Above right: Bryce Nolan winner of Adhemar Ferreira da Silva Scholarship with Rosemary and Wilf Mula, and the Vice Consul General of Brazil his excellency Leonardo Robello.
Guests:
The Vice Consul General of Brazil, his excellency Leonardo Rabelo
The Chief Executive Officer of the Canterbury Bulldogs, Mr Aaron Warburton
The Principal of Westfields Sports, Mr Andrew Rogers
Westfields Director of Sport, Mrs Joanne Kenny
Westfields Sports Deputy Principals, Mr Dave Barret, Miss Daniela Zanet, Miss Carol Gajic and Mr Alex Larkin
Our Scholarship founders Rosemary and Wilf Mula
President of Club Liverpool, Mr Dallas Stewart
Vice President of Club Liverpool Mr Brian McCormack
Representatives of Holroyd Little Athletics Club Rob, Maree and Aino
Steve Want our long time sponsor and supporter Sportsfactory
Olympian Karyne Di Marco and Breanne Clement
Life members Sharyn Dickson, Hayley Butler, Paul Stickler, Kyle Alexis, Christie Baker.
Our coaches Shane Castlereagh, Denis Knowles, Christie Baker, Brett Mathison
Our club executive Sharyn Dickson, Danielle Banovich, Kyle Alexis, Janet Stickler and Brett Mathison
All our brilliant athletes of whom you will be hearing more about tonight
And last but not least the parents, relatives and friends who have supported Westfields and its athletes this season.
Award Winners
Achievement Awards - presenters Kyle Alexis, Paul Stickler
Alizart, Alexandra
Alexandra was a multiple state medalist over the 400m and a 200m finalist last season and finished 2021 off running at Nationals over the 200m & 400m. This season however, was a difficult one with so much isolation from COVID and the HSC exams to work through, Alex changed her focus to maintaining fitness. Alex has taken some time off, is now settled into her course and is training consistently working on the winter fitness. Alex is working with Brett and Hayden and is now focusing on building strength in the gym. We are looking forward to the 2022-2023 season ahead.
Baptist, Isabella
Isabella is in her 2nd year at Westfields Athletics and has battled interuptions with COVID and isolation. She raced consistently over the summer period improving each race running a number of times just outside her personal best. Isabella had a strong run at the NSW All Schools in the 800m and made the State Little Athletics Championships. Unfortunately the summer season was a tough one for Isabella and the family and they now look towards the new year and winter season ahead.
Baptist, Lachlan
Lachlan has battled the 2021 winter with a bulging disc. He looked to be finally over the injury and ready to go for the summer track season. Lachlan opened the season with some strong runs at the State relays then just missed his PB over 400m in his first track meet. At the NSW All Schools Championships Lachlan ripped more then 2 sec off his 400m PB running a 53sec and he then ran another big PB in the 800m. Unfortunately Lachlans season ended abruptly with a big injury that he is still working through. Hopefully Lachlan will be back running with Brett's squad soon and they can have a big season ahead.
Baptist, Madeline
Madeline is into her 3rd year at Westfields and it has again been affected by COVID and isolation. In the early part of the season Madeline was involved in all the school and club relays and ran very close to Personal Best times. With some very difficult times over the summer and end of the athletics season it has given Madeline time to refocus and begin her winter training. We look forward to big summer athletics season ahead.
Best, Koben
Representing Westfields on 6 occasions throughout the season Koben was a finalist at the 2022 NSW Junior Championships in the U14 90m hurdles and qualified to represent NSW at his first ever National Championships. He just missed out on making the National final on times, however his performance in the rain and into a headwind was a personal best time and a great way to end a very successful season.
Cassilles, Shea
Shea is one of the 'young guns' who has has been working with Bretts squad the last few years and has exploded into the senior races wearing the Westfields fluro Singlet. Shea finished off the winter season winning a Bronze medal at the NSW Novice State Cross Country. COVID lock down was the perfect opportunity to train with his siblings and he came out fit and ready to race. Shea helped Westfields Athletics Club in the State relays and then he went on to race 6 x 800m races for 5 Personal Best performances and also running 3 x PB's over the 1500m. Shea's two best performances was a big win and PB over 800m at the NSW milers Club and then lining up at the NSW open 3000m championships as an 11yr old racing against all ages producing a 10.29 3km the 3rd fastest time for his age. We look forward to Shea joining Westfields Sports High School in the year ahead.
Dehn, Renae
Renae has been with our club for ten years and you will be hearing a little more about that later in the evening. Having just graduated Wollongong University as a school teacher the past 4 years have made it difficult for her to come up to Sydney and compete. Despite the difficulties of juggling study and sport nevertheless Renae has each of those years travelled up to Sydney to represent WAC wherever and whenever she could. She is an asset to our club and a great role model for our younger athletes.
Jones, Joshua
Joshua is clearly the most supportive athlete in our club. His care of others is exceptional. The second he sees one of his team members in need he jumps to their side and offers to assist. As teachers we are discouraged to give characterisations in reporting, but with Joshua it is impossible to describe him without including all of the old school attributes. He is polite well spoken, well mannered, etc, etc. But more important than that he is one of our top sprinters. He last season gained national rankings in rhe 100m and 60m sprints. Trying to repeat that this season extremely difficult with most competitions being held in the pouring rain or severe winds. Despite that he produced personal best times in both 100m and 200m.
Kabba, Akeem
New to the Westfields Athletics club Akeem started competing for the Club after he arrived in year 7 this year. With only a few weeks left in the season he competed at all opportunities including finishing in the final of the U14 long jump at the NSW Junior Championships competing against athletes one year older than him. More significantly he qualified to compete at State Little A’s in 100m, 200m and 80m hurdles. He made the final in the hurdles and was a favourite on times to be amongst the medallists. Unfortunately hitting many of the hurdles a medal eluded him. The exciting news is according to his long jump coach Shane, he has the potential to become a better long jumper than his older brother.
Long, Benjamin
Ben has continued to build on his first year at Westfields handling lockdown with ease ensuring he completed all training sessions and being super consistent which had Ben ready to race as soon as restrictions were eased. At the NSW State 3km Championships Ben ripped 19sec off his Personal best benifiting from racing against the older athletes. Ben grabbed his first opportunity to qualify for the Australian Athletics Championships quickly dropping his 800m time from 2.25 down to 2.19. At the NSW All Schools Champs Ben had his break out performances running the 800m heats with a 2sec PB then running another 3sec PB in the 800m final for 6th place and a 2.14 time! Ben was not finished, pushing the pace in the 1500m heats dropping a 28sec PB, just missing the National Qualifier. Ben placed 7th in the final. Ben raced consistently and hard all season being super competitive knowing he is now a state finalist. Ben again lowered his best 800m time at the NSW juniors this year to 2.13 placing 8th in the final and running another National Qualifying time. After his first year at Westfields Ben got his opportunity to represent NSW at the National Athletics Champs, unfortunately after almost 3 weeks in isolation with COVID he was not at his best. We look forward to this winter Cross Country season ahead. Congratulations Ben.
Muc, Isabella
Isabella follows Bretts coaching program to the T and this consistency has helped her on the way to an amazing first full season. Isabella opened up the summer season with a 20sec PB in the 3000m just missing the National Qualifying time. At the NSW All Schools Isabella ran 6th in the 1500m final in a 9 sec PB then backed this up with a 800m PB. Isabella ran the NSW State Little Athletics Champs placing 4th in the 3000m and 4th in the 1500m. Isabella's big break through of the season came at the NSW State Junior Champs where she ran 11th in a 5 sec personal best over the 800m just missing the National Qualifier. But Isabella nailed it in the 1500m running with the front girls placing 5th and smashing her PB and getting the National Qualifier. Isabella finished the season representing NSW at the Australian Athletics Chanpionships over the 1500m in her first season. We belive her first state medal is just around the corner. CONGRATULATIONS
Pyda, Olivia
Olivia has raced consistently this season and has performed well. She was a NSW All Schools 800m finalist and had her first opportunity to try the 400m hurdles. Olivia also ran a 2 sec PB in 400m at the NITRO event. We look forward to big winter of consistent training for Olivia to get back to her best.
Ringrose, Sarah
As one of Westfields greatest ever athletes we are very fortunate to still have her as a member of our club after 10 years. During her years at school Sarah was ranked the number one hammer thrower in Australia every year and was the undefeated National Champion. Recent injuries and operations have slowed her progress. Sarah has expressed an interest to resume her career in the sport and we wish her all the best.
Talbot, Ruby Rose
Ruby Rose is one of our most regular and dedicated trainers. She works hard at improving her times and that she has done successfully this season. She is very supportive of her team mates. As an athlete I see much potential in her future. She has improved her technique over the past 12 months and is turning into a fine sprinter/jumper.
Todoroski, Jayden
Only just having joined Westfields this season Jayden did not have many opportunities to compete for our club, but when he did it was sensational. Particularly at the NSW Junior champs where he competed in the U14 age group as a 12 year old and missed medalling against the older athletes by the closest of margins. At the NSW Little A’s State champs he won the 100m and 200m sprint double and finished second in the hurdles for a 3 medal haul.
Tnokovski, Marissa
This young lady is an exciting all round talent who can sprint, hurdle, high jump, long jump and triple jump. She is a brilliant team player as was evident at last years Nitro Knockout when she gladly went in events that were not her favourites to ensure we scored points. She has speed, coordination and much determination. Despite numerous niggling injuries throughout the season she nevertheless performed extremely well and I know the upcoming school season will see her achieve her goals.
Vander Meer, Ella
Ella is one of Brett's 'Young Guns' who is in primary school, year 6 and has been working in his squad for a number of years. This was her first season in the Westfields Athletics Club Seniors and she didn’t disappoint. Ella worked consistently all lock down building a huge race walking and running base, meeting up with other squad members where she could. When racing resumed after lockdown Ella won Silver at the NSW Winter race walking carnival then she won her first State Title, Gold at the NSW Winter Race Walks. Ella headed to Canberra where she won Silver in the U12 Federation National Winter Road Walk Champs in her first visit. Ella hit the summer track season running NITRO for the club over 800m ripping 10sec off her PB then backed this up but a week later running another 10sec PB over 800m winning at the Sutherland Track meet dropping to 2.41. Ella walked with all the senior Westfields athletes as a 11yr old to help win the Gold in the NSW State Relays for race walk. The biggest break through for Ella was at the The Illawong race walking meet where she raced her first 3km and finished in 17.31 missing the national U14 race walk qualifying time by 1sec! Ella decided to back off the walks for the rest of the summer and has focussed on her Netball training under Westfields Sports Netball coach Abbey McCulloch in the Sutherland Reps team. We look forward to a big year ahead with Westfields Athletics Club.
Wakeham, Rhys
Rhys attends Endeavour Sports HS as a local student and has been training with Brett's squad for 12 months. He is a quiet and hard working athlete who just gets there, and gets the job done! He completes every session as requested by Brett, and as the season progressed he was rewarded with some amazing results. Rhys has moved from being in the race, to now being a state finalist and a contender. He started the season in Westfields colours with a 2.33 800m. Rhys raced 6 times over the distance for 5 Personal Best performances with the standout perfomances being: 1st at the Elzy Wellings 1000m community race, Gold in the Regional Little Athletics 800m just 2 sec off the National Qualifying time and finishing 12th at the State Little Athletics Champs. He finished with a time of 2.18 800m for the season. Rhys was just as successful over the 1500m starting the season with a time of 5.28. He ran 3 huge personal best times, won Gold at the Regional Champs and finished 7th at the State Little Athletics Championships with a time of 4.40, in torential conditions. We look forward to what Rhys and Brett can accomplish in their 2nd year working together.
Westwood, Benjamin
Ben has continued to build on his first year at Westfields working on his growing pains and becoming more competitive as the season has progressed. Ben raced 8 times over the 800m with his biggest personal best time coming at the NSW All Schools Champs ripping off 10sec. Ben also lined up regularly over the 1500m with his biggest PB, 14 sec also coming at the NSW All Schools Champs. Ben worked all season making the State Little Athletics Championships 3000m. We look forward to a big winter of running for Ben.
Zaineddine, Zac
Your looking at one of the most determined athletes in Westfields history. Zac Zaineddine like all good athletes has enormous confidence in his own abilities. He never gives up. Despite some serious injuries in the past few seasons, he has accomplished amazing heights. He is a Mumford Cup winner having won the prestigious NSWCHS State 100m title, something which has only ever been achieved by three other athletes in the 60 year history of our school. He is passionate about Westfields and goes out of his way to support the Club. Lebanon has offered Zac the opportunity to join their National squad and hopefully gain selection in their National team. Zac will be accepting this offer.
Achievement Award winners not in attendance: Arduin, Adam. Osgood, Mikayla.
State Medallists
Banovich, Cameron
Cameron now in his last year at school has been for the past 6 years won of Westfields most outstanding performers. His regularity at weekend competitions has been one of the best in the club. Basically Cameron competes at every opportunity unless he is injured. One of his ongoing goals has been to get as close to the 11 second barrier for the 100m as possible. He has gone so close on many occasions. But I think his favourite memory and performance this season was jumping regularly over the 6.00m barrier in long jump. The specific competition I am referring to was the Little A’s Region at Campbelltown just a few months ago when he jumped a personal best and won the gold medal. In doing so he pushed team mate Rashid Kabba back into second place. An achievement which is indeed very rare.
Farrell, Isabella
Bella joined Brett's Race Walking Squad only a few months ago, November 2021, and starting at Westfields Sports High School this year. Bella has got straight to work being as consistent as possibly showing her talent. She led the Westfields Girls to a State Race Walking GOLD medal at the State relays. Bella increased her training load and raced consistently through the summer with a break through at the NSW Junior Championships where she won a Bronze medal and achieved the national qualifying time in the 5000m race walk. Bella represented NSW at the Australian Athletics Championships a few weeks ago. We look forward to the seasons ahead working closely with Brett and his squad. Congratulations Bella.
Hage, Mohamad
Mohamed is a super talented athlete as evidenced by all the state medals won last season and representing NSW at the Australian Championships while training in Brett's squad. Mohamed has been very quiet on the racing front this year, just racing at the NSW All Schools Championships. He did perform very well running 6th in the 1500m in a Personal Best and winning Gold in the Steeplechase. Mohamed did not compete in any other events for the season for Westfields as he seeked to head in another direction over the 400m. Mohamed is an exceptional talent and we look forward to him training hard and racing in the 2022-2023 season ahead.
Horton, Jai
Jai finished off the winter season winning a Silver medal at the State Winter Race Walks and went on to Canberra for The Australian Winter Road Walks. Jai started the summer season race walking a huge 19sec PB over 3000m. He was also part of the Bronze medal State relay team in race walk. He backed this up with 4th place at the NSW All Schools State in the walk and he also ran a big 6 sec PB in the 1500m run. Jai started putting a focus on his running before dropping the race walk and it immedately paid off. Jai raced 4 x over the 1500m dropping 3 personal best performances. This was a total of 16sec off his best time for the season. We look forward to a big winter of training for Jai. Congratulations.
Horton, Jaxson
Jaxson has just finished his first year at Westfields and has made an awesome start to his High School athletics career. He finished off the Winter race walking season with Gold at the NSW Short Walks and went on to Canberra to the Australian Winter road walks. Jaxson started his summer season with a first up race, 19sec personal best time and National Qualifier in the 3000m race walk and a few weeks later won Bronze as part of the mens State Relay Walks Team. Jaxson also ran on the track, dropping his 1500m run time from 5.54 down to 5.26 and qualifying for the State Little Athletics Champs. Jaxson grabbed a Silver medal at the NSW Little Athletics Champsionships in the 1500m race walk. But one of his best performances was winning Gold at the NSW All Schools Championships in the 3000m Race Walk. Jaxson finished his summer season a few weeks ago at the Australian Athletics Championships placing 5th in a huge 19sec personal best time wearing his first NSW Uniform. Congratulations Jaxson
Kernaghan, Maddison
What an incredible all round athlete you see before you. Maddison Kernaghan is one of the most impressive all round athletes I have come across in my 47 years at Westfields. This season she medalled at NSW State Relays and at the NSW All Schools she won Silver and Bronze in Javelin and Hammer throw respectively. She contested all 4 throws disciplines at the NSW Junior Championships and qualified to represent NSW at the 2022 Australian Championships where she finished 10th in Hammer and 15th in Javelin. An amazing future. Mum Kate Kernaghan, or as I know her Kate Connolly, is Westfields most celebrated walker with more than 20 WAC records still to her name.
Kernaghan, Ruby
Ruby has just begun her journey at Westfields in year 7 working in Brett's squad in race walking, 200m and 400m. She has become a welcome addition to the squad, working hard and bringing good humour. Ruby only competed a handfull of times this year But she made them count. At 12yrs of age she ran in the 400m at the NSW junior champs making the final and placing 5th in the U14 running a 63.56 just missing the National Qualifying time of 63.44! Ruby was part of the Westfields Womens State Relay Race Walking Gold medal team anchoring the team home. Ruby was the 2021 State Little Athletics 11yrs Race Walk Champion and 400m Silver medalist but unfortunately could not compete in 2022 due to COVID. With Ruby's amazing versitility over 200m, 400m, 800m and race walking it will be exciting times ahead.
Kessie Malikye
When Malikye first joined Westfields just over a year ago he became an Instant sensation. His p.b. in the 100m at the time was 11.4 and within within weeks he had run 11 flat and then then a few more weeks later he joined our 10 second club. By the end of the season he took the ultimate prize in winning the NSW U18 100m title at the NSW Junior Championships. This season had its ups and downs with constant injuries, illness and Covid isolations. Nevertheless he is now in our top 10 all time sprinters.
Martinez, Emillio
Emillio is Westfields most consistent trainer and one of our most enthusiastic competitors. His desire to improve and achieve as a discus thrower is well known amongst our athletes. Coached by Denis Knowles and Christie Baker he is following in the footsteps of his training partner and mentor Bryce Nolan. Emelilo's improvement this season with P.B's in both the 1kg and 1,5 kg implement has been rapid. On numerous occasions now he has come within cenimetres of medalling at major tournaments; a goal that will soon be achieved. Congratulationson a brilliant season.
Masters, Jakob
Jake Masters graduated from Westfields Sports last year, and how proud we are to see his eagerness to continue on as one of our clubs keenest and most talented athletes. This season he won Bronze medals in Decathlon at both the NSW Championships and the ACT Championships. So talented is this young man that he is forever annoying me with plans to change his individual event preference. In the past he has excelled in Javelin, 300m hurdles, 200m, 100m, pole vault, long jump and the list goes on. Currently he has expressed interest in Joining Matho’s squad and concentrating on the 800m.
McGoon, Destiny
There is no doubt Destiny McGoon is up there with the most talented athletes I have ever come across. So talented that at the age of 17 it is still difficult for her to decide in which of her many disciplines she is best suited. One of the season highlights for me was when she one the Silver medal in the 100m at the ACT Championships running a personal best time of 12.68 into a headwind and is now the 6th fastest Westfields sprinter of all time in all ages. A courageous bronze medal in 400 m at the NSW Championships was amazing effort considering we hadn’t been doing much training over that distance. Then the season ended with another career highlight when Destiny made two National finals in both 400m and 400m hurdles.
Menon, Kunal
Kunal has the potential to become an outstanding sprinter/hurdler, something he is beginning to achieve. The only hinderence in his way has been the numerous setbacks with illness, Covid isolation and irregular injuries. Nevertheless he manged to fit in a Gold medal performance in the U17 110m hurdles at the ACT Championships when he ran well under the National qualifying standard, gaining selection in the NSW team for the 2002 Australian Championships.
Nolan, Bryce
What an incredible season it has been from Bryce. He became the first ever male thrower in history from WAC to win a NSW Open title in his pet event the discus. This gained him selection in the Sydney Track Classic where he also performed extremely well. There have been many milestones this season winning the 2021 NSW All Schools, but perhaps the most significant was being selected to represent Australia in the U20 Oceania Championships. Even though he doesn't turn 18 until October he already has achieved a top 10 World Ranking for the 1.75kg discus in his age group. He has already become the greatest ever male discus thrower in WAC's history. We look forward to Bryce wearing the Australian colours later in June this year.
Zarris, Zoe
This is the second year in a row Zoe has won the NSW All Schools and NSW Junior Championships Gold medal as the undisputed best pole vaulter in her age group. This season was especially rewarding when she finished in 4th place at the Australian Junior Championships with a personal best performance. A very keen trainer in Leo Dulay's squad and a big future ahead .
Stoilova, Aleksandra
It was a special season for Aleksandra. She emmerged as the 2nd greatest 100m sprinter in the history of Westfields, only second to the great Hayley Butler. Aleks' best time of 11.68 gained her a top 10 World ranking only hundreths behind Hayley's Open record of 11.62. Great milestones included winning her first ever NSW Junior title (something many find surprising, however she has only finished 2nd, 3rd or 4th in previous years, competing amongst the best Australia has to offer here in NSW). Clearly her finest achievement was taking Broze in the NSW Open 100m Championships becoming WAC's first female teenager to do so. Unfortunately a hamstring niggle saw Aleks rest and not compete in the Australian Championships. Currently selected to Represent Australia in both the Oceania and World Junior Championships. Aleks will sit out the Oceania meet and concentrate on the World U20 Championships in Cloumbia where she will compete as a member of the 4x100m relay team. This is her second consecutive selection in the World U20 team.
Strahl, Caleb
Caleb is a local student who attends Endeavour Sports HS who has been part of Brett’s squad for a number of years. Caleb moved from hurdling to give race walking a try through his local little athletics club. Caleb trusted every word from Brett working religiously on his flexibility, strength & conditioning and progressively loaded his endurance. Caleb went from never race walking before to: CHS State Race Walk Bronze medallist, 3 x State Silver Medals over 3000m and the 5000m race walk behind Raven Pyda who Brett coached, and a 4th place at the Australian Athletics Championships in the 5000m race walk. Caleb then decided he had enough of walking and was enjoying the thrill of middle distance running on the track. He joined Westfields Athletics Club this 2021-2022 season race walking one last time with the junior boys to win Bronze at the NSW State Relays to open his summer season. Caleb raced 7 times over the season for 5 Personal Best performances in the 800m and 1500m. He ran 2 x big PBs at the NSW All Schools Championships. Caleb started with a 2.15 800m time and dropped to 2.09. His best race was the Elzy Wellings Elite Race 1000m where he finished in 6th place. Caleb is a mature, polite and bright young man who is a pleasure to coach. He will go close to being Dux at Endeavour Sports High School, and we are super proud he wears the Westfields Athletics Club Colours.
State Medallist award winners not in attendance: Adeniran, Shola. Aukafolau, Fuinelakei, Moefaauo. Le'ati, Nadaya-Harb, Audrey. Tran, Jayden. Twigden, Lilly
National Medallists
Ciara Cassilles
Ciara is a very disciplined athlete following all Brett's coaching instructions, continually building on each year and improved across all events, race walking and distance running. Ciara finished off the winter race walking season with a huge performance in Canberra at the Australian Winter Road Walking Championships winning a Silver medal in the NSW Uniform. Ciara went to the NSW All Schools Championships with a big program, 1500m run, 3000m run & the 3000m race walk where she smashed her personal best in all 3 races, came 4th in the race walk in a national qualifier and missed the 3000m run national qualifier by 1 sec! Ciara set the rest of her summer season focussed on the walks and she had an amazing year racing 13 times across various distances for 8 personal best performances. She won Silver 3000m race walk at the NSW Juniors 2022, State little athletics Bronze 1500m race walk, her first NSW Open 10km race walk finishing 5th and racing her first NSW Open womens 5km race walk finishing 10th. Ciara repesented NSW at the Australian Athletics Championships in the U15 3000m race walk in 8th place then she backed this up a few days later racing U18 5000m race walk placing 8th in a big PB. An awesome season rewarded from hard work, discipline and working closely with her coach Brett.
Darek, Amelia
Amelia is one of Westfields top all-round athletes having spent year 7 training in javelin, discus, horizontal jumps, sprints and hurdles. Then more recently she discovered pole vault and hammer throw. She picked up these new events very quickly and with only weeks preparation contested them at the NSW Junior Championships. The pole vault was disappointing when she no-heighted, even though her training P.B. would have won the event. Then in Hammer she picked up the Silver medal and qualified for the Australian Championships where she won National Bronze throwing four consecutive P.B.'s from four throws. An incredible effort considering she could have been contesting the Nationals in Pole Vault as well.
Goetz, Alex
Year 7 and 8 saw Alex experimenting with various events, all of which he excelled in particularly sprints throws and high jump. Then during year 8 he took up the hammer throw and found immediate success. At the 2021 NSW All Schools Alex not only won the Gold medal he also broke the NSW All Schools record with a massive throw of 53.51 metres. He then had a set back at the NSW Junior Championships where he didn't record a decent throw (two fouls and one bouncing off the cage). Nevertheless he has qualified for the Nationals and what an experience it was. Just like the State title where he fouled the first two throws, he had to get one in to get the extra fourth round throw. Not only did he get the 3rd throw in, it was a new P.B. of 56.35 and it put him in the lead with one round to go. His final round throw of 60.87 was sensational and it gave him the National U16 title.
Goetz, Molly
Molly was accepted into Westfields late in term 4 of 2021. She has already demonstrated what a multi-talented she is with numerous medals at her first Westfields representation at the 2021 NSW All Schools. She medalled in her pet event the hammer throw (silver) and also won silver and bronze in discus and shot put respectively. Then followed the NSW Junior Championships where she won gold in U18 hammer and silver in the discus with an impressive P.B. of 44.54m. The Nationals was a mixture of success with Molly just missing a medal in her age group in the U18 hammer throw finishing 4th. However she managed to win Bronze in the U20 hammer throw using the heavier Olympic weighted 4kg implement.
Kabba, Rashid
The season started with Rashid attempting to better his 2020 NSW All Schools effort of 2 gold, silver, bronze and a State record when he competed at the 2021 NSW All Schools. Better it he did with gold in all 3 sprint events (100, 200 and hurdles) and silver in long jump. Then at the 2022 NSW Juniors he was forced to withdraw from all events except the hurdles with a lower back nerve issue affecting his hamstring. Nevertheless into a head wind he won his 4th consecutive hurdles title with a new P.B. Ath the NSW Little A's Championships he was unavailable for selection in 100m due to a committment in Canberra. It was extremely disappointing for Rashid to have to miss the 100m, however he won all of his other three events including an incredible State record of 13.31 in the 110m hurdles, apparently the fastest ever recorded in Australia at Little A's height. Then at the 2022 Australian Championships Rashid succesfully defended his hurdles title which he has now won 4 years in a row recording a new P.B. of 13.75 into a strong headwind in the pouring rain. He came ever so close to winning his first ever National title in the 100m when he was a mere 0.03 seconds behind the gold to take his second runner-up silver in consecutive years. He rounded up his Nationals campaign with a bronze in 200m and gold in relay. Selected to represent Australia he will travell to Mackay for the Oceania Championships.
Pyda, Raven
Raven finished off the winter race walking season strong with a Silver medal at the NSW Short Walks U20 10km. Raven went on to Canberra and the Federation Australian Winter Road Walks where he won Bronze. Raven had a relatively quiet summer season with COVID disruptions, yet still winning Gold in the 5000m race walk at the NSW All Schools Champs and winning silver at the NSW Junior champs in the U20 5000m race walk. Raven found form at the right time of the season winning a Silver Medal at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney, as he did in 2021. Raven will graduate year 12 at Westfields Sports, 2022 as one of our most successful race walkers from Brett's squad. As Raven now moves onto a new coach we wish him all the best in the years ahead. Congratulations.
Event awards
Junior Female Sprinter of the year Destiny McGoon
Senior Female Sprinter of the year Aleksandra Stoilova
Junior Male Sprinter of the year Rashid Kabba
Senior Male Sprinter of the year Zac Zaineddine
Junior Female Jumper of the year Zoe Sarris
Junior Male Jumper of the year Rashid Kabba
Junior Female Middle Dist. Athlete of the year Ciara Cassilles
Junior Male Middle Distance Athlete of the year Raven Pyda
Junior Female Thrower of the year Molly Goetz
Junior Male Thrower of the year Alex Goetz
Senior Female Thrower of the year Sarah Ringrose
Senior Male Thrower of the year Bryce Nolan
Male Winter Athlete of the Year Raven Pyda
Female Winter Athlete of the year Caira Cassilles
New Life Members –
(Renae Dehn, Sarah Ringrose) - Sharyn Dickson presenter
Sports Factory Awards (Steve Want - Presenter)
Koben Best
Maddison Kernaghan
Roger Green Award (Kevin Green –Presenter)
Amelia Darek
Fred O’Connor Award (Gary and Sarah Jenner - Presenters)
Koben Best
Ron White Award (Christie Baker - Presenter)
Janet Stickler
Gregory Kavadas Award (Angela, Tom and Stephanie Kavadas—Presenters)
Destiny McGoon
Athletes of the year – presenter Brett Mathison
Junior Female Athlete of the year Molly Goetz
Junior Male Athlete of the year Rashid Kabba
Senior Female Athlete of the Year Aleksandra Stoilova
Senior Male Athlete of the year Bryce Nolan
Adhemar Ferreira da Silva Scholarship – Roemary Mula & Leonardo Rabello - presenter
Bryce Nolan