How to enter the Advertiser, Messenger’s 2021 SA School Sport Awards
With the SA School Sports Awards 2021 kicking off, 2002 winner and paralympic swimmer Matt Cowdrey is backing in our young talent. See how to enter.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IN 2002, before winning 13 Paralympic golds and becoming the nation’s most successful Paralympian, swimmer Matt Cowdrey was a 14-year-old Endeavour College student with big aspirations.
That year he won the secondary section of the School Sports Awards, a confidence-booster he believes helped him reach the highest level.
The Messenger spoke with Cowdrey this week ahead of the launch of the The Advertiser, Messenger and Department for Education School Sports Awards 2021.
“Winning the awards (pictured) was such a confidence boost as I continued to develop and a couple years later I was competing in the 2004 Athens Paralympics so I’m very grateful for the motivation it gave me,” he said.
Cowdrey, who has a partial arm, dominated those Paralympics, winning three gold, two silver and two bronze medals and setting a number of records.
He said the importance of the School Sports Awards in a young sportsperson’s career cannot be understated.
“For school-aged athletes deciding whether or not they’re going to pursue a career in sport, the recognition they get can show them they’re on a good trajectory.”
One of this year’s young-gun athletes is Gleeson College year 11 student Jasmin Fullgrabe, who has been nominated for the 2021 awards.
Fullgrabe, also a para swimmer with a partial arm, swims at Clovercrest Swimming Club, and has idolised Cowdrey since she can remember.
She had the chance to meet him earlier this week at State Swim, Golden Grove – the place both of them started their careers.
“I remember in year 4 we got to pick a sportsperson to do an assignment on and I did mine on Matt, so to be able to meet someone who’s been such an inspiration to me is amazing,” she said.
At just 16 years old, Fullgrabe already has a stack of achievements, competing in a state and national meets.
The rising star says the nomination is an honour: “It’s very motivating. I want to continue swimming for as long as possible and achieve as much as I can so I’m super thankful and honoured for the opportunity.”
The School Sports Awards are the joint initiative of The Advertiser, Messenger and Department for Education.
There are three major awards in 2021 – individual competitors, individual student officials and teams, with female and male, rural and metropolitan, primary and secondary categories all included.
Enrolled primary or secondary students between the ages of 10-18 are eligible.
Nominate at online.forms.sa.edu.au/content/forms/af/public/school-sports-awards-nomination.html
‘Beyond excited’: Dixon joins local SA club for 2025
Former Port Adelaide star Charlie Dixon has joined a local SA footy club for season 2025 after retiring from the AFL level.
‘Like a second home’: Local footy club legend calls time
A Southern Football League great has called time on his dazzling career ahead of season 2025 after winning a fourth A Grade premiership with his beloved local club in 2024.