Mikayla Kumar and Holly Gavin claim Penrith Press’ top Local Sports Star awards for 2018
A goalball captain and a dedicated netballer have taken out the Penrith Press’ top awards at the 2018 Local Sports Stars gala awards night
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State junior goalball captain Mikayla Kumar and passionate representative netballer Holly Gavin have taken out the top prizes for the Penrith Press at the 2018 Local Sports Stars gala awards night at Bankstown Sports Club.
Glenmore Park’s Mikayla Kumar, 16, was named this year’s Junior Sports Star winner while Holly, 12, of St Clair, won the Young Sporting Spirit award.
Mikayla, who is legally blind, recently qualified for the Australian Youth Girls Development Squad.
She also captained the NSW Junior Goalball team to two undefeated victories at last year’s Pacific School Games and Australian Goalball Championships.
According to her Mum Lindsay Keating, Mikayla is “the definition of true strength and ability not disability.”
“She takes challenges head on and is an inspiration to many,” Miss Keating said.
Meanwhile Holly is a star player for Penrith’s under-12s rep team, having completed her sixth year with St Clair Netball Club.
Holly’s father, Luke Gavin, an Australian infantry soldier, was killed in 2011 during his service in Afghanistan.
Holly’s Mum Jackie Gavin said netball was an outlet for Holly, and also a way of making her dad proud.
“I think sport is a way that she is able to connect with her dad and his family who are very involved in sport,” Mrs Gavin said.
“He always wanted the kids to play a team sport, and he would be very proud of her commitment. She is definitely her father’s daughter.”
The overall Young Sporting Spirit award went to Forestville footballer Jacob Trzecinski, 17, while 16-year-old Strathfield diver Sam Fricker was named the overall Junior Sports Star.
The event also saw a host of current stars from all walks of the sporting landscape, including Josh Mansour of the Penrith Panthers and NSW Swifts player Sarah Klau, gather to meet the stars of the future and their families.