Vice-Chancellor’s Blues Awards

Last night, the University of New South Wales held its most prestigious sporting event of the year—the Vice-Chancellor’s Blues Awards. Hosted in the distinguished Council Chambers, the event was designed to honour the university's most outstanding student-athletes. With 16 Blues awarded across various sports, it was a celebration of excellence, dedication, and a true testament to the university's commitment to supporting its athletes.

However, the evening started with a bit of drama, as guests arrived instead of being treated to some light ambient music they were met by the sound of a whaling fire alarm. As we exited the building, we were met by the red fire trucks that was already pulling away from our theme of blue for the evening. Although this was a minor setback, this didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits – rather a good tale to tell for future years. Soon enough, the guests were back in the prestigious council chambers, eager to celebrate the successes of these remarkable individuals.

The ceremony kicked off with a warm welcome from UNSW’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs. Wearing his own Blues jacket from his Oxford University days, when he won a Blue for fencing, Professor Brungs shared the significance of the award, stating, “It is no mean feat to be an outstanding student, and it’s no mean feat to be a professional athlete at the top of their class, but it is an outstanding feat to be able to be both.” His words perfectly encapsulated the essence of the Blues Awards.

The first recipient of the evening was Aedyn Pratley, a distinguished fencer who has represented Australia at multiple international competitions. Aedyn’s achievements include competing at the 2024 U20 World Championships in Riyadh and securing an 8th-place finish in the Men’s Epee Team event. He also earned silver at the 2024 NSW Open President’s Cup and was part of UNSW's gold-medal-winning Men’s Epee Team at the 2024 UniSport Nationals. Aedyn’s rise in fencing began when he was just a kid, trying his luck in the sport while his sister played netball next door. A natural curiosity to the sport now has him excelling both on the national and international stage.

Next, Caitlin Cronin, a highly accomplished rower, took center stage. As a member of the Women’s National Training Centre in Penrith, NSW, Caitlin represented Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, finishing 8th in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls. Her impressive international accolades include a bronze medal at the 2024 World Cup III in Poznan, Poland, and multiple national titles in rowing. Despite her demanding schedule, Caitlin is also pursuing a medical degree, which left our MC, Steph Brantz, in awe of how she manages to balance her athletic and academic pursuits. For Caitlin, rowing for her country is the greatest honour, and she continues to inspire those around her.

Chloe Wan, an exceptional handball player and a key member of the Australian Women’s National Handball Squad, was also recognized for her achievements. Since 2022, Chloe has represented Australia as the captain of the U20 Squad and has earned multiple MVP titles and championships. In 2024, she helped her team secure victories at the New Zealand Handball Club Championships and the NSW Handball League’s Season 1. Chloe’s dedication to her sport is matched by her academic success at UNSW, where she continues to juggle her studies with her sporting pursuits, all while remaining deeply grateful for the support the university provides with their elite athlete program.

As the night progressed, the recipients continued to inspire the audience. Dane Rampe, the elite defender for the Sydney Swans AFL team, was next to receive a Blues award. Since his AFL debut in 2013, Dane has been a pivotal figure for the Swans, leading them as co-captain since 2019. His achievements include winning the Bob Skilton Medal and the AFL Players Association’s Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player. Though the Swans have faced setbacks in recent Grand Finals, Dane stated that the grand final losses are no easier each time as he jokingly remarks with the audience he is “not after their sympathy”. 

Jake Preston, who made his NRL debut in 2023 for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, was recognized next. In his short time in the NRL, Jake has earned the Steve Mortimer Rookie of the Year Award, the Bulldogs Members Player of the Year Award, and the Dr. George Peponis Medal as the Bulldogs Player of the Year. Off the field, Jake is pursuing a degree in criminology and criminal justice, determined to have a plan for his future once his football career concludes. His love for the game has been evident as a kid and he no doubt will be one of the standouts second rowers to keep an eye out in the future.

Jamieson Leeson, a world-class Boccia athlete and a familiar face at UNSW sport award events over the last few years, was also honoured for her exceptional career. Over the years, Jamieson has amassed an impressive collection of international titles, including a silver medal in pairs at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, marking Australia’s first-ever podium finish in Boccia at the event. In addition to her athletic prowess, Jamieson is an advocate for inclusion in sports and increasing the exposure of Boccia, inspiring many through her perseverance and dedication. She was also awarded the 2024 UNSW Female Student Athlete of the Year and the Student Athlete of the Year with a Disability.

After a brief dinner break, the ceremony resumed with Marcus Della Marta, an Australian rower with a growing international profile. In 2024, Marcus narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Paris Olympics but continues to pursue excellence, earning podium finishes at national and international events. Marcus has also excelled in beach sprints, winning multiple titles at the 2023 Australia and Oceania Championships. His perseverance in the face of disappointment is his driving force to hopefully be rowing at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.

Olivia Coleman, a rising star in netball, received her Blues award next. Her impressive career began in 2019 when she was selected as a training partner for the QBE NSW Swifts. Since then, Olivia has made significant strides in her sport, earning MVP titles and even representing the South Coast Blaze in the 2024 Netball NSW Premier League. In addition to her sporting achievements, Olivia recently completed her Juris Doctor and today will be admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW as a Solicitor - a dream week for Olivia. 

Peam Palakawongse Na Ayutthaya, a talented fencer, was next to receive the prestigious award. With a strong presence both nationally and internationally, Peam has excelled in multiple competitions, including the 2024 UniSport Nationals, where he earned a gold medal in the team event. Despite the challenges of balancing his athletic career with his academic studies, Peam continues to excel in both fields, stating that he watches lectures on planes to keep up with his coursework during travel.

Ricky Tang, our penultimate Blues winner and a top badminton player, has made significant strides in both domestic and international competitions. In 2023, he earned gold medals in the Australian National Championships, both individually and with the team, and was selected to represent Australia in the World Mixed Team Championships. He continued his success in 2024, securing a semifinal finish at the Oceania Championships and another gold in the National Championship Team Event. Ranked No. 1 in Australia, Ricky’s dedication extends beyond his performances, as he also founded Team ONEU and trains with world-renowned players like Anders Antonsen. Ricky was part of UNSW’s badminton team that won the university’s first-ever gold medal at the UniSport Nationals, contributing to the team’s victory in the 2024 UNSW UniSport Nationals Award at the Sports Awards last year.

Sophie Ferenczi excelled in surf lifesaving across multiple levels, winning several titles in 2023 and 2024, including 1st place in the Open Female 2x1km Beach Run Relay at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. In addition to her impressive state and national results, Sophie also represented Australia at the Life Saving World Championships, securing top finishes in both the 2km Beach Run and 3x1km Beach Run Relay. Dual-nominated for a Blues in surf lifesaving and cross-country, Sophie balances her athletic pursuits with her studies, always staying active and prioritizing her physical and mental well-being. 

To cap off this incredible evening, we enjoyed the traditional Blues toast, delivered by Dr. Anthony Hughes, a former Blues winner. Dr. Hughes provided a rich history lesson on the significance of the Blues award, noting that only 680 individuals had received this honour over the 60+ years of its existence, out of tens of thousands of student-athletes.

Olivia Coleman then delivered the current Blues reply. She shared her personal journey and congratulated her fellow Blues awardees, acknowledging the support of family and friends who sacrificed so much to make these achievements possible. Olivia also extended her gratitude to the university's elite athlete program, specifically mentioning Helen Bryson, our Elite Athlete Program Manager, Mark Wright (Head of Sport and Local Community), and Neil Morris (Director of Student Wellbeing), expressing her sentiment from all the athletes that UNSW Sport was always "ensuring that the athletes at UNSW feel heard, supported, and empowered to succeed". As the night drew to a close, there was a final cheers to the room, and everyone stayed to reflect on their individual journeys. The evening was not only a celebration of sporting excellence but also an opportunity for athletes to acknowledge the collective effort that has gone into their success.

We would also like to pay tribute to those Blues winners who were unable to attend due to sporting commitments: Emma Bosco (mogul skiing), John Hedges (water polo), Matt Byrnes (water polo), Nathan Power (water polo), and Nikolas Pender (rowing). Their absence was felt, but their achievements remain an integral part of this night’s celebration. As we look ahead, the Vice-Chancellor’s Blues Award Ceremony will undoubtedly be remembered as a historic moment for the UNSW sporting community. We look forward to celebrating more student-athletes at the Sports Awards later in the year, continuing the tradition of honouring those who excel in both academia and sport contributing to this incredible sporting community. 

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S BLUES AWARDS FULL GALLERY