Australian Olympic hockey players, Kaitlin Nobbs and Aran Kalewski, have been recognised with the highest accolades at the annual Curtin Sport Awards overnight.
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.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said the hockey stars’ wins were well-deserved.
“Aran Zalewski, Co-Captain of the Kookaburras, won silver in this year’s Tokyo Olympics and gold in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and World Cup. Aran has also been nominated for the 2021 International Hockey Federation ‘Player of the Year’ for a second time,” Professor Hayne said.
“Kaitlin 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.
“She 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.
“The Curtin Sport Awards recognise the University’s 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’s ceremony.”
Professor Hayne also paid tribute to Curtin Commerce student and hockey player Matthew Swann who was inducted into the Vice-Chancellor’s Elite Athlete Alumni.
“Matthew 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,” Professor Hayne said.
“He should be very proud of his efforts, and we wish him all the best for his next chapter.”
Further information on the Curtin Stadium and the Elite Athlete Program can be found online here.
