The 20th Annual Blues evening involves the presentation of awards and recognition of the top students in all sports from NSW Catholic Secondary Schools and Colleges. The evening was staged at St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly in early February. Over 55 students were recognised on the evening, with 6 students from the Wollongong Diocese acknowledged.

The two highest achieving boys and girls from each sport are judged by the NSWCCC Blues committee, taking into account their 2016 achievements, which often involves NSWCCC, NSW All Schools and Australian representation. The Blues Awards is the culmination of a busy year and a great advertisement for the sporting pathways available to students in Wollongong Diocesan Schools.

2016 Award winners from Wollongong Diocese 

Lucy Cliff - Triathalon

Holy Spirit College, Bellambi

Maddison Smith - Softball

Magdalene Catholic High School, Narellan

Daine Richards - Hockey

Edmund Rice College, West Wollongong

Courtney Schonell - Hockey

St Benedict's College, Oran Park

Danielle Vasquez - Golf

St Joseph's Catholic High School, Albion Park

Jordan Doris - Athletics

Mt Carmel Catholic College, Varoville

Rugby 7’s Rio gold medalist and former NSW Combined Catholic College representative Alicia Quirk was the guest speaker on the evening. Alicia spoke of her early years in school sport, her rise from her elite touch days to her debut in rugby union and her Rio Olympic games experience. Alicia provided some strong messages to our athletes and parents showing the importance of setting goals and working hard. Another highlight of the evening was the introduction of four athletes Timothy Hodge, Jenna Jones, Sarah Walsh & Kate Wilson (all current students) who competed at Paralympic Games in Rio. They all shared some amazing stories.

The evening was well supported, with five Diocesan Directors in attendance, many school Principals and all NSWCCC conveners and Diocesan sporting representatives.

The evening was a great advertisement of the sporting talent we have in our schools and we congratulate our Wollongong students on their fine achievements.