Izzy Vincent, Maia Taite, Sean Gabell, St Peter’s College rowing win 2021 SA School Sports Awards

The awards night is done and dusted and South Australia’s best young sportspeople have been crowned. See who topped the class of 2021.

Daniel Renfrey

@DanielRenfrey

3 min read

November 11, 2021 - 2:49PM

The Messenger

Local Sport

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South Australia’s top young athletes were crowned at the 2021 The Advertiser, Messenger and Department for Education School Sports Awards on Wednesday night.

Winners were selected from 29 finalists across four categories – individual secondary, individual primary, student officials and teams.

Read which rising stars topped the class and why their impressive sporting achievements to date prove they’re destined for the world stage.

Individual Secondary

ISABELLA ‘IZZY’ VINCENT

Pembroke School, para swimming

Vincent’s achievements were nothing short of outstanding this year.

The 15-year-old was selected for the Tokyo Paralympics after dominating the national championships where she won five gold medals, three silvers and a bronze

The youngest person to represent Australia at the Tokyo Games then became the youngest medallist when she won two relays.

Individual Secondary Award winner Isabella Vincent with former Paralympian Matt Cowdrey. Picture: Nicki Scenes Photography

Vincent was thrilled with the School Sports Award win.

“It’s amazing that we’re all here celebrating and I didn’t think that I would win so it’s pretty overwhelming,” she said.

“I was aiming for the 2024 Paralympics so to be able to represent Australia this year was amazing so I’m really grateful and lucky.

“My parents and teammates have been so supportive and my coach Shaun Curtis is amazing. He’s helped me to adapt my stroke in my training and he’s made it so easy to be involved in para sport. I’m really grateful for him.

“My school, Pembroke has also been so supportive, I was able to put a lot of things on hold when I was away and they’re helping me catch up, they’ve been great.”

Individual Primary

MAIA TAITE

Southern Montessori School, surfing

At only 12 years old, Taite has performed well above her years in surfing.

This year she shocked many by winning the open women’s division of the Hurley Winter Classic, and performed in multiple other women’s events.

She has also been selected for the Olympic program at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre in NSW.

Individual Primary Award recipient Maia Taite with Thunderbirds star Maisie Nankivell. Picture: Nicki Scenes Photography

“I’m really overwhelmed but I couldn’t have done it without my family and friends cheering me on and supporting me,” Taite said.

“I started surfing because of my brothers, they inspired me, and it turns out I have a big passion for it.

“Being picked to go into the Olympic program and training with really good surfers has motivated me to get better so I’m excited for the future.”

Student Official

SEAN GABELL

Salisbury High School, basketball official

Gabell officiated NBL1 games this year, the highest level of the sport under the NBL, and was selected to referee multiple national level games.

Student Official winner Sean Gabell with Adelaide 36ers assistant coach Scott Ninnis. Picture: Nicki Scenes Photography

He has also been teaching aspiring officials in weekly clinics during the season and pre-season.

The 18-year-old was shocked by his achievement and spoke about his goal of reaching the highest leagues.

“I really didn’t expect to win this award. I’m really appreciative of the recognition,” Gabell said.

“My goals are definitely to get to the NBL and go from there. Talking to the other NBL refs I know currently it definitely seems like an achievable thing.

“Basketball SA has done a lot to help us (referees) recently so I’m really appreciative of them and the teams and coaches.”

Teams

St Peter’s College Rowing Open Schoolboys Eights

St Peter’s College’s Open Schoolboys Eights team achieved something no other SA school had since 1968 this year when it won the national championship.

The team showed great power and poise throughout the tournament to top the best opposition from around the country and were recognised as worthy School Sports Award winners as a result.

Winner, Teams, St Peter’s College Rowing Open Schoolboys Eights took out the team award. Picture: Nicki Scenes Photography

Captain Nick Burr was proud of his team’s achievement.

“I’m really proud of the crew, this is quite an achievement, I’m so proud,” he said.

“A big thing for the past few years with us has been culture. Our director Tim Hennessy and head coach James McCrae are really big on building that. We all get along and because of that we perform our best.

“Good culture builds good boat speed and we’re just all great friends at the end of the day.”

Runners-up were also recognised across each category and they are as follows.