ACT student athletes celebrated

088/11

Today I announced the winners of this year’s Excellence in School Sports Awards.

This year marks the 14th year of the Excellence in School Sport Awards, which are presented by School Sport ACT and recognise the sporting achievements of ACT students who have competed at local, national and international levels during 2011.

As Minister for both Education and Sport in the ACT I was pleased to have the opportunity this morning to recognise the sporting excellence of ACT students who have excelled in their chosen sports throughout the year.

The ACT Labor Government has a strong commitment to providing physical education and sporting opportunities for all students across the ACT – not only keeping young Canberrans fit and healthy but also teaching important life skills such as teamwork and fair play.

That’s why in 2008 we established what is now the Active Kids Challenge, which this year seen over 22,000 students from 74 schools participating. The challenge helps primary school kids get more into physical activity and eating right and encourages physical activity for a minimum of 60 minutes a day.

Today’s award recipients follow in the footsteps of notable ACT sports stars such as; Hockeyroo Anna Flannagan, Victorian Bushranger Ryan Carters, Canberra United’s Ellie Brush and Paralympian Siobhan Paton – all of whom began their sporting careers through School Sport ACT.

The ACT Government has increased funding to School Sport ACT in recognition of the quality opportunities they are providing young people in sport, and I would like to congratulate School Sport ACT for their organisation of today’s Excellence in School Sport Awards ceremony.

I would also like to extend my congratulations to each of today’s award winners for their outstanding achievements in sport this year.

Students were awarded across five categories: primary school boys, primary school girls, secondary school boys, secondary school girls, and athletes with a disability.

Two students were awarded in each category and this year’s winners represented both the public and non-government school sectors.