The Southern Highlands produces many young elite athletes who are champions in every sense of the word.
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These athletes not only compete at the highest level in their chosen sports, but do so with excellent sportsmanship, integrity and respect for their themselves, their opponents and all those that support their achievements.
The Berrima District Sports Awards junior recipient for December, Fred Hamblin, is one of these incredible athletes.
He represented Oxley College and NSW at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships from December 8-10 in Perth.
Competing in the 15 years 400m, he placed first in his heat in a time of 51.61 seconds which qualified him for the final.
He went on to place fourth in a blistering time of 50.26 seconds.
He was named in the in NSW 15 years 4 by 400m mixed relay team and they placed fourth.
These results are exceptional considering he only began training 18 months ago.
Fred's excellent times qualified him for the Australian Athletics Championships in Adelaide in April.
The senior Berrima District Sports Award recipient for December is Debby Middleton.
Debby was one of hundreds of teachers nominated for a NSW Department of Education's Sports Organiser Award.
She has been a dedicated teacher at Moss Vale High School for ten years and their sports co-ordinator for most of these years.
The glowing citation stated that she "won the prestigious award for her on going passion and commitment to offering our students the greatest variety of sporting opportunities".
Her role involves organising the multitude of teams across the huge variety of sports offered, with students travelling for sport nearly every week of every term.
The citation went on to recognise her as a generous mentor providing guidance to staff and students alike.
Her inspiring promotion of inclusive sports programmes foster a culture where all students, regardless of ability, are encouraged to reach their full potential.
