Australian Olympic hockey players, Kaitlin Nobbs and Aran Kalewski, have been recognised with the highest accolades at the annual Curtin Sport Awards overnight.<\/p>\n
Kaitlin Nobbs, who is studying a Bachelor of Nursing, and Aran Kalewski, a Bachelor of Commerce student, were both named Sport Stars of the Year in their categories.<\/p>\n
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said the hockey stars\u2019 wins were well-deserved.<\/p>\n
\u201cAran Zalewski, Co-Captain of the Kookaburras, won silver in this year\u2019s Tokyo Olympics and gold in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and World Cup. Aran has also been nominated for the 2021 International Hockey Federation \u2018Player of the Year\u2019 for a second time,\u201d Professor Hayne said.<\/p>\n
\u201cKaitlin debuted for the Hockeyroos in 2016 and was part of the bronze-medal winning 2016 Junior World Cup side. Kaitlin went on to win silver at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and made her Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe also contributes to University life through active promotion of the sport and supporting hockey in the community. Kaitlin acts as a role model to the club’s junior players, attending junior events to inspire up and coming players.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Curtin Sport Awards recognise the University\u2019s elite athletes who continue to conquer in their sporting field. Both Aran and Kaitlin should be very proud of their achievements both on and off the pitch, as should all of our other Curtin sport stars who were recognised at last night\u2019s ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Hayne also paid tribute to Curtin Commerce student and hockey player Matthew Swann who was inducted into the Vice-Chancellor\u2019s Elite Athlete Alumni.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew retires after a highly decorated 13-year hockey career. He has been a superior achiever at the highest level of competition in his chosen sport,\u201d Professor Hayne said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe should be very proud of his efforts, and we wish him all the best for his next chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n