Following the huge success of the 26th Annual CDF Sports Awards, the winning accolades continued for 17 student athletes from primary and secondary schools across the Diocese of Wollongong, who received high level awards at the recent NSWCCC Blues Awards and NSWCPS Maroon Awards. 

These events bring together the top athletes from Catholic schools across the state to celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who have performed above and beyond.

72 top student athletes in all sports from NSW Catholic Secondary Schools and Colleges received awards and recognition at the NSWCCC Blues Awards evening, resulting in 16 students across the diocese receiving Blue Awards and being recognised as at the pinnacle of their sport.

Two outstanding athletes were awarded top honors for their sporting achievements in both the NSWCPS Maroon Awards and the NSWCCC Blues Awards, along with the introduction of the John Sparks Award. 

London Campbell from St Joseph’s Primary School, Bulli was the recipient of a 2023 NSWCPS Maroon Award in Netball. This award recognises London as one of the best primary school Netball players in NSW Catholic Schools. London was also recognised for her success in swimming and cross country, taking home the Gary Sweeny - overall Most Outstanding Primary Girl Award. This is the most prestigious award and acknowledgement of London’s performance.  

Grace Tracey from St Mary’s Star of the Sea College,Wollongong, was awarded the Vince Villa Award for Most Outstanding Female Sportswoman of the Year. Grace was selected in Australian 16 years teams in the sports of AFL and netball - an exceptional achievement for a Year 9 student. 

The prestigious John Sparks Award was introduced for the first time this year and honours the contribution of John Sparks, leader of sport in the Diocese of Wollongong  for over 27 years and sporting opportunities across the NSWCCC pathways.

The John Sparks Award is given to the most outstanding all-rounder male and female sportsperson of the year across all Catholic Secondary Schools. These students are not necessarily the top performing athletes in their sport, but students that have shown skills and talents across a variety of differing sports in the NSWCCC pathway that showcase all-rounder abilities. 

John has significantly contributed to the NSWCCC pathway across the past 25 years as Executives Chairperson and Diocesean Representative for Wollongong. His involvement with the NSWCCC pathway has gone above and beyond, and it is most fitting to see this significant award named after him.

The NSWCCC Blues are a great advertisement of the sporting talent and pathways we have in our schools. The 2023 award winners from the diocese were:

Athletics

• Delta Amidzovski: Corpus Christi High School, Oak Flats - NSWCCC Bar  

• Jack Conroy: Mater Dei, Camden - NSWCCC Blue

Australian Football

• Maclean Coble: Edmund Rice College, West Wollongong - NSWCCC Blue

• Grace Tracey: St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong - NSWCCC Blue 

Baseball

• Callum Donnelly: Holy Spirit College, Bellambi - NSWCCC Blue

Basketball 

•  Manuela Piljevic: Holy Spirit College, Bellambi - NSWCCC Blue

Cross Country

• Mitchell Blackbourn: Edmund Rice College, West Wollongong - NSWCCC Blue 
• Nicholas McGill: St John the Evangelist High School, Nowra - NSWCCC Blue 

Golf

• Lara Thomsen: St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong - NSWCCC Bar 

Hockey 

• Anneliese Cullen: Magdalene Catholic College, Narellan - NSWCCC Blue
• Henry Jones: Edmund Rice College, West Wollongong - NSWCCC Blue

Netball

• Grace Tracey: St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong - NSWCCC Blue

Rugby

• Caitlyn Halse: Magdalene Catholic College, Narellan - NSWCCC Bar 
• Daniel Meafou: Edmund Rice College, West Wollongong - NSWCCC Blue 

Rugby League

• Evie McGrath: St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong - NSWCCC Blue

Swimming

• Ivy Miller: St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong - NSWCCC Blue 
• Aya Milton: St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong - NSWCCC Bar

Triathlon

• Mitchell Blackbourn: Edmund Rice College, West Wollongong

 We congratulate these talented students on their outstanding sporting achievements.