Berrima District Sports Awards finally return with January Junior and Senior medals

Read more: What to look forward to at the Moss Vale Show

Meet some of the Highlands' most inspirational women

Jessica Wray, a 14-year old student at Chevalier College was voted as the Junior recipient for her achievements in the swimming pool.

At the Senior State Age Swimming Championships, held at Sydney Olympic Park, Jessica swam 50m freestyle in a time of 28.06. She placed 11th, just missing the final, though this incredible time qualifies her for the National Titles in April.

Though Jessica has been training for four years at the Moss Vale Aquatic Centre, this is her first year competing for the Moss Vales Swim Club. She is currently trains with the Bluefit Swim Squad under head coached by Ben Blaik and at the 2022 Chevalier College Swimming Carnival broke the all-age female 50m record and is only in Year 9.

This talented athlete also competes in gymnastics and athletics when not in the pool.

The senior award recipient for January is Kevin O'Meley. In January, Kevin, a vision impaired cyclist, together with his pilot Richard Vollebregt competed in the B tandem category at the 2002 Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat.

They claimed two medals, a gold in the road race and silver in the time trial. This incredibly fit duo then rode the 925km home to Exeter over four days. Kevin, who has retinitis pigmentosa (tunnel vision) is a member of the Southern Highlands Cycling Club and, in February, the team went on to earn three NSW State titles.

They won the 1km individual time trial, 4km pursuit and the flying 200m sprint. Kevin is a great advocate for paracycling and encourages athletes of all abilities to come and try cycling. He is now training for the National Track Titles in March and the Oceania Road Races in April. Both events will take place in Brisbane.

If you would like to nominate a worthy athlete, simply send an e-mail to bdsawards1@gmail.com before the first Monday of the month detailing the athlete's sporting achievements in the previous month.

Please note your contact phone number in order to clarify any of the details. Also if you love sport, and want to encourage the amazing talent in the Southern Highlands, consider joining the committee by emailng the above address.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: