Bellevue Grandstand came alive on Monday evening, September 17 as UNE celebrated sporting success, both on and off the field. Chairman of the SportUNE Board, Kevin Dupe, welcomed over 120 guests, including Parramatta Eels and NRL legend, Nathan Hindmarsh, Skynews Sports Presenter Jim Callinan and Vice Chancellor and CEO, Professor Jim Barber.
Australian Rugby Sevens representative Emma Gillogly was crowned the UNE Sportsperson of the Year. This is the university’s most distinguished sporting award, and recognises the student who, whilst displaying good sportsmanship, has reached a higher level of achievement in sport than all other students.  Emma happily hobbled up to accept the award, after sustaining an injury whilst representing Australia at a Rugby Sevens tournament in Malaysia recently.
Emma talked about how much she has enjoyed her time at UNE and the sporting opportunities available.
“Now that Rugby Sevens has been introduced to the Olympics, the 2016 Rio Games is a goal of mine,” said Emma.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the Olympics, but never thought it would be for Rugby.”
Emma is an outstanding athlete but only took up Rugby a few years ago and has proven to be a very talented player. She scored her first try for the Australian team in Malaysia, after only four minutes on the field.
The Blue Award, for service to University Sport, was awarded to two worthy recipients, Brooke Sheehan and Genevieve Turner-Chiasson. Other awards were given for exceptional contribution to organisation and administration of sport and also for active and regular participation in sport.
The highlight of the evening was the Q & A time with Parramatta Eels’ long-standing player and Club Captain, Nathan Hindmarsh. Hindmarsh gave the audience an insight into his professional and personal life and talked about his passion for the game.
“I can remember as a young boy crying if a game was cancelled due to wet weather, I was just so keen to get out there and play,” said Nathan.
Hindmarsh has now retired from Rugby League and is happy to take some time out, rest and let his body mend.
“I knew I was ready to retire when I would wake up on game day and not have the same enthusiasm I’d always had. In the last six months I wasn’t training as much, I was watching from the sidelines and really enjoying it. I think teaching, giving advice and guidance, is something I would definitely be interested in pursuing.”
The University has recently re-signed as a major sponsor of the Parramatta Eels and, in closing, Professor Jim Barber spoke about the beneficial relationship between the two and how great it is for both sport and education.
