Ben Canham and Cecilia Tran: Male and Female Athletes of the Year
Fresh off the accolade of winning the 'Most Outstanding University Sport Program' for the innovative RMIT Sports Academy program won at the UniSport Australia Awards, RMIT had the challenging task of selecting the Male and Female Athletes of the Year from a big field of nominees. The deserving recipients were Ben Canham, a rowing World Champion representing Australia on the global stage, and Cecilia Tran, an Oceanic Champion for the Australian Karate Team, who clinched two gold medals on the world circuit. Their achievements exemplify the excellence and dedication that RMIT athletes embody.
Full Blue Awards: Recognizing Sporting Excellence
RMIT also bestowed Full Blue Awards upon students for their exceptional sporting excellence. This prestigious recognition represents the highest honor a student athlete can achieve and is acknowledged globally.
Club Leadership Award: James Henderson and Marlon Holloway
The dedication of club volunteers, who play an integral role in the 40 plus RMIT Sport Clubs, was celebrated and this year, the Club Leadership Award was shared by James Henderson from the Surf Club and Marlon Holloway from Snow Sports. Their outstanding leadership, contributions, and organisational skills for their respective clubs, both on and off the field, earned them this distinguished honor.
Alysha Roberts: Sports Ambassador of the Year
The 'Sports Ambassador of the Year' award recognized Alysha Roberts from the Ultimate Frisbee Club for her exceptional contributions to the Redbacks culture and her role in enhancing the sports experience for others. Alysha was also part of a special collective of students who won awards for their ‘Contribution to Sport’ that recognizes club leaders that have held club committee positions for 3 years or more. Those winners included Jayden Smith, Jemma Singleton, Nathan Perera and Alysha Roberts to name a few.
Vice Chancellors Club of the Year: ITF Taekwondo and Snow Sports Clubs
On a larger scale, RMIT formally recognised clubs that have made above and beyond impacts on the community. ITF Taekwondo and Snow Sports Clubs were the proud recipients of the 2023 Vice Chancellors Club of the Year award for their remarkable contributions and achievements.
RMIT Hockey Club: Most Inclusive Club of the Year
The most inclusive club of the year was the RMIT Hockey Club. This club led by example through initiatives like the Stand Out Cup, Australia's largest hockey pride event, creating indigenous jerseys for Hockey Victoria's Indigenous Round, and maintaining gender balance on their committee – a notable accomplishment that only a few Victorian clubs have achieved. The RMIT Hockey Club made significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion in 2023.
Sofia Ruggiero: Contribution to Sports Media Award
Sofia Ruggiero received the 'Contribution to Sports Media Award' for her dedication, industry-standard quality, and representation of the student voice across all RMIT Sport social media platforms. Her work has elevated sports media at RMIT to new heights.
A Night to Remember
The 2023 Redbacks Awards Party was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible achievements of RMIT's sports community. The event was once again livestreamed by the talented RMIT Sports Media Program broadcast team, ensuring that these remarkable moments reached a wider audience.
The Redbacks Podcast hosted by Digital Engagement Officer Michael Serpell, featured interviews with some of RMIT's most outstanding athletes, where they expressed their profound connection to the Redbacks community and the transformative experiences it offers. The night was illuminated by the heartfelt words of Gabi Zmijarevic from RMIT Lacrosse and Michael Parks, the RMIT Sailing Team Manager, both of whom highlighted the life-changing impact of being part of the Redbacks community.
The Redbacks was the greatest part of my university career. RMIT Sport is such a wonderful, welcoming community and it’s literally the best thing I’ve ever experienced. - Gabi Zmijarevic
As RMIT continues to foster a culture of excellence, camaraderie, and inclusivity, the Redbacks Awards Party serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the RMIT Active community.
For more in-depth interviews and insights, be sure to listen to the full interviews via the all-new platform for RMIT student athlete voices – the Redbacks Pod.
