Blacktown City celebrates local sporting stars

COMMONWEALTH Games silver medallist and champion weightlifter Kyle Bruce has been named the Blacktown City Sportsperson of the Year at the City’s 40th annual Sports Awards.

The Sports Awards celebrate the triumphs of the Blacktown City sporting community, both on and off the field. The 2023 awards saw 113 nominations received across 10 categories.

Bruce, a 23-year-old athlete, who is the highest-ranked male weightlifter in Australia and holds multiple national records in his weight class, accepted the honour while competing at an international weightlifting competition in Cuba.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM congratulated Bruce on the award, describing him as an “exceptionally successful and inspirational young man”.

“Bruce is extraordinarily hardworking and determined in all areas of his life. Not only is he a champion weightlifter, he is an education student at ACU Blacktown and runs his own gym in Blacktown,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“Bruce is an incredible local sporting success story and he did Blacktown City extremely proud with his silver medal-winning performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“I am so proud of the vast sporting talent we have in Blacktown City –there are more than 200 sporting clubs across 20 sporting codes.

“For 40 years, the Blacktown City Sports Awards have celebrated this talent, as well as the dedication of our many unsung sporting heroes, from coaches to officials and administrators.

“Congratulations to Bruce and all of this year’s winners and nominees. I wish them all the very best in their future sporting endeavours.”

The Mayor’s Shield was awarded to joint recipients John and Lyn Channells, for their decades-long dedication to Doonside Little Athletics.

This award recognises someone who has excelled at their club, made an outstanding contribution to sport over a long period of time and is deemed to be an invaluable member of their club.

The Channells first joined Doonside Little Athletics in 1984 and contributed to the club’s committee and running of the canteen for many decades.

The pair has marshalled at centre championships, gala days, as well as zone and regional competition for many years, and continue to dedicate their time at weekly club nights.

The Channells received life membership from the club for their contributions, with Lyn a 10-year member of the Blacktown City Sports and Recreation Advisory Committee.

Mayor Bleasdale said: “Blacktown City is the sporting capital of Western Sydney, we have world standard venues and continue to attract major events.

“We are committed to delivering the facilities for our growing City now and into the future, building community participation in local sports and supporting active and healthy lifestyles.”

Council’s commitment to local sport will reach new heights with the upcoming opening of the Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST).

Council has invested $100 million and engaged in strategic partnerships to deliver a facility that has the power to change lives and health outcomes through exercise and sports innovation.

Blacktown City Sports Awards winners

Sportsperson of the Year: Kyle Bruce, Weightlifting

Mayor’s Shield: John and Lyn Channells, Little Athletics

Female Junior Sportsperson: Bianca Infante, Volleyball

Male Junior Sportsperson: Isaac Beacroft, Athletics and Cross Country Club of the Year: Riverstone

Razorbacks Junior Rugby League Club

Team of the Year: Patrician Brothers College Blacktown U13

Rugby League

Coach of the Year: David Beacroft, Athletics

Sports Administrator of the Year: Katelyn Pickett, Soccer

Senior Sports Official of the Year: Brad Fahey, Swimming

Senior Sports Official of the Year: Bianca Infante, Volleyball