Meet Southern Courier’s 2017 Local Sports Stars Awards finalists

MEET the Southern Courier’s finalists for the 2017 NewsLocal Local Sports Stars awards.

Southern Courier’s 2017 Local Sports Stars Awards finalists have been announced.

THESE are the Southern Courier’s finalists in the 2017 NewsLocal Local Sports Stars awards. Our winners of the Junior Sports Star — Individual and Young Sporting Spirit awards will be announced at a gala presentation evening on November 2, along with NewsLocal’s overall winners of the other three categories.

Finalists are listed in no particular order.

JUNIOR SPORTS STAR FINALISTS

JAYMI ARONOWITZ — RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Jaymi has proved to be a top contender in her sport after finishing third overall on both the vault and beam at the Australian Gymnastics Championships. The Maroubra athlete and her fellow NSW Academy of Gymnastics competitors also finished second overall as a team at the event in Melbourne in June.

Maroubra gymnast Jaymi Aronowitz. Picture: John Appleyard

NIKITA STRBAC — WATER POLO

Nikita recently returned from competing in his age group for the Water Polo Australia team tour of Montenegro, and Belgrade, Serbia, where they placed 10th out of a pool of 14 tough teams from around the world. Nikita will compete at the Canberra Cup and National Club Championships this month, while Metro Cup pre-season is underway.

Maroubra water polo player Nikita Strbac is a state and national champion with dreams of representing Australia at the Olympics. Picture: supplied.

ARIANA JAMIESON — ATHLETICS

The flow of her running style has been likened to that of Olympic hero Cathy Freeman, and Ariana is hoping to follow in her footsteps. The Hillsdale athlete won silver in the 100m sprint at the 2016 NSW Little Athletics Championships representing Randwick Botany, and also competes in PSSA-level running at South Sydney High School.

Ariana Jamieson is a medal-winning sprinter at the Randwick Botany Little Athletics Centre. Picture: Danny Aarons.

YOUNG SPORTING SPIRIT FINALISTS

MARLEY MASTERS — SOCCER

Marley, 10, started out at South Maroubra Nippers when she was six, before soccer “took over her life”. The Hillsdale student plays the world game with Maroubra United, and in the Eastern Suburbs Under-10s side, and this season made it into the Hakoah FC under 12s footsal side. Marley has also played OzTag at state and national level.

Marley Masters of Hillsdale plays state rep Oztag, soccer for Maroubra United, and is the only girl in her school's PSSA soccer side. Picture: John Appleyard

ZANE GREENHALGH — RUGBY LEAGUE

Zane, 8, may be the smallest player in his Coogee Randwick Wombats side, but is renowned as having a big heart. Zane is always the first to cheer on others or reach out to an injured team mate. He is also a valued member of the league team at Malabar Public School, where he recently made the semi finals of the South Sydney touch football competition.

Zane Greenhalgh, 8, is a star footy player at the Randwick Coogee Wombats. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Wilson

SIENNA REINERS — AFL

Sienna, 12, won her grand final with the Maroubra Saints AFL division one mixed under 13s team earlier this month. The only girl in the side, Sienna booted what’s become known as ‘the goal of the final.’ A huge Sydney Swans fan, Sienna hopes the red and white will be the next club to field a women’s team in the AFLW so she can sign up.

Sienna Reiners, 12, is the only girl in the mixed under 13s division one side at Maroubra Sainst AFLC. Picture: John Appleyard

JUNIOR SPORTS STAR — TEAM FINALIST

SOUTH EAST MAGIC UNDER 14 — RUGBY 7s

After taking victory at the 2017 Las Vegas Invitational, the Magic won the inaugural Sydney City 7s competition. They’re now focused on defending several state titles, and have also just been invited to the Hong Kong 7s tournament in April 2018, then to play a three-game series against the Hong Kong national side.

South East Magic Girls 7's rugby team training on Maroubra Beach under the watchful eye of coach Fidel Tukel. Picture: Julian Andrews.

TEAM SPIRIT FINALIST

SOUTH EASTERN SEAGULLS UNDER 16 GIRLS — RUGBY LEAGUE

After becoming the first all-female team in their rugby league club’s 60 year history, the Seagulls under 16s won their grand final 44-22 over the Chester Hill Hornets. Many in the team played with the boys until the maximum age of 12, and others came from OzTag, touch and rugby backgrounds.

The South Eastern Seagulls Rugby League club fielded 3 all-female teams in the 2017 competition, including the grand final-winning under 16s side. Picture: Danny Aarons.

SERVICE TO SPORT FINALIST

ROLLY JENNINGS — ATHLETICS

Mr Jennings, 70, has been assisting athletes at Randwick Botany Little Athletics Centre for the past 17 years, starting out as an age marshall when his eldest daughter joined the club. Rolly was honoured with a lifetime achievement award this year, and is always the first to arrive and the last to leave training at Heffron Park.

Rolly Jennings has been a volunteer with Randwick Botany Little Athletics club for the past 17 years. Rolly’s youngest Rose (pictured) is still part of the under 17's. Picture: Craig Wilson

Congratulations to all our finalists.