HaBS students named UQ Sportspeople of the Year

16 Apr 2021

Brisbane Lions’ AFLW grand finalist Natalie Grider and Australian middle-distance runner Callum Davies have been announced as The University of Queensland’s 2021 Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year.

The duo were honoured at the annual UQ Sport Club and Sports Awards, which recognise excellence in sport and contribution to university life.

Ms Grider, who will compete in Saturday’s AFLW Grand Final against the Adelaide Crows, is the first Australian Rules footballer to win the Sportswoman of the Year Award, dating back to 1968. The Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Honours) student played in all of the Lions’ AFLW matches last year, and was named the Club’s ‘Most Competitive Player’.

Ms Grider said the award was high among her sporting achievements. “It’s a real honour to be the first female Australian Rules footballer to receive this award, and given the rapid the growth of the AFLW, I’m sure there will be many recipients to come,” she said. “Looking back on 2020, I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have been given within my sport at the Brisbane Lions, and I am beyond excited for what’s to come.”

Mr Davies, who represented Australia at the 2018 World Under 20 Athletics

Championships in Finland, is the fourth athletics competitor to win the award since 1975. Last year, the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences (Honours) student became the first male athlete to win the Queensland State Open 1500m, 3000m and 5000m titles in the same season. Mr Davies said he was honoured to join a prestigious group of recipients.

 “To be only the fourth track and field athlete to win the award, a group including former Australian Mile record holder Simon Doyle and Olympic medallist Dane Bird-Smith, is something I am extremely proud of."

“It has taken many early mornings and late nights to reach this point, many of them at the UQ Sport Athletics Centre, but I am looking forward to building upon this result and seeing what else I can achieve.”

 

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