Latest news with #ParisOlympians
Herald Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Named: Local, national heroes honoured at Victorian Sport Awards
Two of Victoria's Paris Olympians have been recognised as the state's standout athletes for 2024. Cyclists Grace Brown and Kelland O'Brien took out the highest individual honours at the 2024 Victorian Sport Awards on Wednesday night following their success at last year's Games. Brown was named the Kitty McEwan Award recipient which is given to a Victorian individual athlete who produces outstanding national or international results in the female category. Brown won gold at the Olympics in the women's road individual time trial, Australia's first on the road since 2004. She also won the individual and team trials at the World Champi onships. O'Brien was recognised with the Frank Wilkes Award, the male equivalent of Brown's achievement. He was a member of the Australian team pursuit quartet in Paris which won the country's first track gold since 2012. Australian cricket legend Mel Jones OAM added to her long list of accolades after being presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Victorian Sport Award. Jones represented the country between 1997 and 2005, won two World Cups and Ashes series during her career. A statement announcing award winners said Jones had been 'a pioneer on and off the cricket field who has challenged stereotypes and broken down barriers for women in a traditionally male-dominated sport'. Since retiring from the top level, Jones has become one of the leading commentators in the world including stints with Fox Sports at home and Sky Sports in England. She has continued to help develop and expand career opportunities for women in sport. 'One of her greatest achievements was assisting in the evacuation of the Afghanistan national women's cricket team during the overthrow of the Afghanistan government by the Taliban,' the announcement said. Vicsport chair Jason Hellwig recognised all award winners on the night. 'Being able to recognise and celebrate the grassroots heroes throughout Victorian sport and active recreation alongside those who excelled at an elite level is what makes the Victorian Sport Awards such a special night,' he said. 'My congratulations to everyone who was honoured including Mel Jones, a true icon for Victorian sport who has blazed a trail for female broadcasting and continues to create incredible opportunities for all women in sport.' AWARD WINNERS Coach of the Year Jimmy Soufis, Futsal: Soufis spearheaded the creation of the Women's Development League, finished the men's season undefeated and his men's and women's teams won the F-League tournament. Community Coach of the Year Madelaine Breakspear, football: Won league championship and cup titles with Sale United and reached the Victorian Country Championship final with Latrobe Valley's under-18 league girls. Official of the Year Cynthia Tam, badminton: Became the first Australian since 2014 to achieve Badminton World Federation umpire status, the highest level of accreditation for badminton umpires, and is the youngest female to be qualified. Community Official of the Year Peter Boulter, cricket: He umpires across multiple competitions including Sale-Maffra women's T20s, men's First XI, Dowling Shield and Over 65s national cricket championships. Young Team of the Year Joshua Garner and Jack Benyan, sailing: The duo dominated the International Cadet Class by winning Victorian, Australian and World championships in 2024, all with a race to spare. Team of the Year Victorian ISSF State Team, target pistol shooting: Won three team, three individual and all individual aggregate titles at the national champs and the overall team aggregate championship to claim the Manton Shield. Community Sporting Event of the Year Statewide Senior Football & Netball Carnival – VACSAL: The premier Aboriginal sporting event which attracts more than 1000+ athletes for a weekend of high-level competition, cultural connection and community celebration. Community Sporting Club of the Year Sorrento Cricket Club: The club launched its first women's and under-18 girls' teams in 2024, had a women's health physiotherapist, female-specific uniforms and ran the EmpowerHer multi-sport carnival for 80 girls aged 9-17. Victorian Sports Administrator of the Year – Eunice Gill Award Meaghan Densley, sailing: The Victorian general manager at Sailing Australia. 2024 saw the organisation grow club membership by 3 per cent, Learn to Sail participants by 11, grassroots programs by 10 and female/junior participation by 30. Local Government Initiative of the Year City of Kingston: Water Safety with Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place: Increased water skills and water participation among First Nations children with a focus on swimming confidence and fundamental skills including floating, drowning prevention and rescue techniques. Volunteer of the Year David Kearsley, little athletics: He performs 12 roles at Knox's club including president, competition director, photographer and website manager. He assisted Little Athletics Victoria to move the 23-24 state titles, featuring 2000+ athletes, to Knox with a fortnight's notice. VicHealth Sport and Active Recreation Initiative of the Year Calisthenics Victoria, CaliStars: A competition with 50 young people which allowed performers with a disability to participate in a calisthenics competition for the first time. Masters Athlete of the Year Nadene Gole, golf: Won the award for the second consecutive year. Became first Australian to win golf's two biggest senior amateur titles in England and the USA, won seven of nine world-ranking events in 2024 and finished every week ranked number one in the world. Young Athlete of the Year Joshua Jolly, BMX: Jolly won Junior Elite BMX World Championships, Elite Men's Superclass championships and BMX Grand nationals for 17-20 open men. Outstanding Media Coverage of Sport Award Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, sailing: Grew social media presence by 23 per cent, leading to a 35 per cent growth in membership. Peter Norman Inclusion Award Pride Hub, Proud 2 Play: Held the world's first pride activation at a Grand Prix event which has inspired discussions for further pride initiatives at other races worldwide. Frank Wilkes Award Kelland O'Brien, cycling: As a member of the Australian Team Pursuit quartet, O'Brien won gold at the Paris Olympics which was the country's first track gold since 2012. Kitty McEwan Award Grace Brown, cycling: Won gold at the Paris Olympics in the Women's Road Individual Time Trial. Also won World Road Cycling championships in the Women's ITT and Team Time Trial. Outstanding Contribution to Victorian Sport: Mel Jones OAM
Los Angeles Times
09-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Around Town: Nonprofit Share Ourselves celebrates new Costa Mesa clinic
Members of the nonprofit Share Ourselves joined with local dignitaries and city officials Saturday to celebrate the opening of a new Costa Mesa healthcare clinic with a community health fair and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Attendees enjoyed free tours of the clinic, located at 1650 Adams Ave., and connected with nutrition and wellness resources as well as Orange County community leaders and health advocates. Developed by Turner Impact Capital's Turner Healthcare Facilities Funds, a mission-driven social impact investment fund, the 11,000-square-foot clinic features 12 medical exam rooms, six dental chairs and two optometry chairs as well as a behavioral health services office and on-site pharmacy. Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, who attended Saturday's ribbon-cutting alongside several City Council members and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, praised the organization for creating better outcomes for those in need. 'Share Ourselves embodies what it means to be a whole person, addressing not just physical health, but mental, social and economic well-being,' Stephens said. 'The clinic represents more than just a building — it's a beacon of hope for many.' Professional beach volleyball returns to Huntington Beach this weekend, as the three-day Huntington Beach Open kicks off the AVP season at the pier. Action began Friday and continues with matches starting at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Players will compete to secure their spots in the AVP League, which is set to debut its second season starting May 23 in Palm Beach. The top seeds for the women this weekend are 2024 Olympians Taryn Brasher and Kristen Nuss, while the men's top seeds, Andy Benesh and Miles Partain, were also Paris Olympians. General admission tickets are required for stadium seating Saturday and Sunday, with tickets available at Admission to the three outer courts is complimentary.
