Joshua O’Connell is Inner West Courier’s Junior Sports Star, Aiyana Fernandez Inspiration Award winner
The Inner West Courier’s 2019 Junior Sports Star and Inspiration award winner have been revealed at a gala dinner in Sydney.
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Joshua O’Connell has always preferred to run than walk and this love has seen him crowned the Inner West Courier’s Junior Sports Star and the overall winner of the Local Sports Star awards.
O’Connell earlier this year smashed the 800m world record for 11-year-olds in an outstanding sporting achievement.
His dedication to training and competitiveness paid off when he posted the time of 2min 9.95sec.
LOCAL SPORTS STARS: PHOTO GALLERY OF WINNERS FROM THE NIGHT
His mother Shannon said her son always loved running and competed in a Mother’s Day run with her when he was just six.
“I feel very happy about winning Junior Sports Star,” Joshua said.
“I know that I’ve been determined to get this far and I just need to stay committed.
“I enjoy running because it makes me feel good after I finish. I would like to be in the 2028 and 2032 Olympics then probably retire and play AFL.”
The Inner West Courier’s finalists for this award were O’Connell, swimmer Isbaelle Barakat and Isabel Iivonen (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu)
While O’Connell won the Junior Sports Stars Award, young footballer Aiyana Fernandez claimed the Inspiration Award at a gala presentation at Bankstown Sports Club on Wednesday night.
Despite her small frame and often playing against bigger and stronger opponents, Aiyana has always been determined to make a mark in her chosen sport.
She’s always getting tackled, pushed and elbowed but won’t let that stop her playing the sport with the Leichhardt midfielder representing Australia at the Montesilvano Cup in Italy.
The Sydney Olympic Football Club and the Sydney East Primary School player was also recognised with a PSSA’s regional player award representing Balmain and South Sydney.
“I’m really happy, it’s a bit of a surprise,” Aiyana said. “I love playing soccer, meeting new people, making new friends and just kicking the ball around.
“My dream is to play for the Matildas.”
Each of our Junior Sport publication winners and Inspiration Award winners received $300 and a medal.
Swimmer John Dimech-O’Connell (Macarthur Chronicle) won the overall Inspiration Award and the under 14s Gosford City Rebels girls basketball team (Central Coast Express Advocate) the overall team award.
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The overall Service to Sport winner was Chung Dang (Canterbury-Bankstown Express).
The awards, sponsored by Featherdale Wildlife Park and Bankstown Sports Club, were held on Wednesday night with the rising stars of NSW sport mingling with big names, including rugby league’s Jamie Soward and netball gun Tayla Fraser.