THE WINNERS

THE Gold Coast Academy of Sport has recognised all athletes who undertake our specific sports programs.

At the annual awards night at RACV Royal Pines, each athlete was presented with a certificate of participation.

Each sport also presented an cncouragement and Athlete of the Year awards.

Winners are selected by the coach of the specific program and are decided upon through their training ethics and participant in the program.

The awards night is also a time to recognise the coaches and co-ordinators of the academy program.

My message to people who were present on the night came from a speech I heard from American actor Matthew McConaughey.

He spoke about “the journey of life” which I think relates so much to sport. Some lessons have been part of everyday life, many he is still practising but all of what he has learnt is true.

Here’s part of that speech: The question that we’ve all got to ask ourselves is what success is to us. What success is to you. Be brave, take the hill but first answer the question “What’s my hill?”

We must first define success and then put the work in to maintain it. Make the daily tally.

Tend to our garden and keep the things that are important to us in good shape. Create more outcomes that pay us back.

Fill us up. Keep your fire lit. Turn you on for the most amount of time in the future.

We try our best, we don’t always do our best. Study the habits, the practices, the routines that have led to and fed our success, our joy, our honest pain, our laughter and our earned tears. And we have more to dissect – be discerning, choose it because you want it, and then do it because you want to.

“Make mistakes and own them. Make amends and move on – turn the page, get off the ride.

You are the author of the book of your life.”

For me, this short grab from his full motivational speech had some great messages for athletes and families.

A great night was had by all and it was wonderful to see the expressions of athletes who won awards on the night. Sport Future Stars Year 8/9 Surf lifesaving Award

Athlete of the Year Encouragement Award Athlete of the Year Encouragement Award Athlete of the Year Encouragement Award Athlete of the Year Encouragement Award Athlete of the Year Encouragement Award Athlete of the Year Encouragement Award Athlete of the Year Athlete of the Year Encouragement Award