30 Nov 2017

SASI scholarship athletes enjoyed a top time together when they celebrated with fellow high achievers at the SASI awards night at the National Wine Centre of Australia.

Individual awards for the senior and junior female and male athletes of the year, athlete with a disability, coach of the year, Amy Gillett-Safe Memorial Award and program athletes of the year, were presented.

Molly Goodman took out the Female Athlete of the Year for her results in rowing, with success in world cups and gold at the world championships.

Goodman's change in training played a key part in her success.

''I have really enjoyed this year, my most successful year of competing and training I've had in my rowing career so far,'' she said.

''Moving full time to train at the national training centre has been a big change in the system but has been very enjoyable and I would confidently say is the main factor behind such a successful season with three golds in the four and a bronze in the pair.

''The highlight would have to be the world champs race which was such a close race the whole way - to come out with gold was unbelievable.''

Alex Porter (cycling) and Alexander Hill (rowing) tied for the Male Athlete of the Year.

Porter said the season was rewarding, highlighted by winning gold at the world championship in the team pursuit in Hong Kong.

''My year has gone really well. The world titles in Hong Kong was definitely a highlight and really exciting,'' he said.

''And I had success at the nationals too which was great.''

Hill's year was highlighted by winning the world championship in the men's four in Florida in September.

''It's been a great year for me and a lot of hard work,'' he said.

''A new coach and a new approach to training have been some of the changes.

''It's good to be back home but now we are ramping up for more training.''

Jess Trengove continued an outstanding year by winning the Amy Gillett-Safe Memorial Award. The award is presented annually at the SASI night and recognises athletes with the spirit and sporting qualities of Amy who was an Australian cyclist and rower who was tragically killed while training for cycling in Germany in 2005.

Trengove had a stellar year where she recorded the best finish by an Australian woman in the London marathon at the world championships.

Trengove finished ninth to be the first woman to make a top-10 finish. She also took out the recent SA Sports Star of the Year award.

Jason Lane also was recognised for his outstanding work with athletes to take out the Coach of the Year Award.

SASI Award winners:

Female Athlete of the Year: Molly Goodman

Male Athlete of the Year: Alex Porter and Alexander Hill

Athlete of the Year with a Disability: Darcy Thompson

Junior Female Athlete of the Year: Hannah Petty

Junior Male Athlete of the Year: James Brister

Coach of the Year: Jason Lane

Amy Gillett-Safe Memorial Award: Jess Trengove

Program Athlete of the Year Awards

Canoe Sprint: Catherine McArthur

Cycling: Alex Porter

Diving: Taneka Kovchenko

Hockey: Michaela Spano

Netball: Hannah Petty

Rowing: Verayna Zilm

Swimming: Travis Mahoney

Beach Volleyball: Paul Burnett

Shooting-Rifle: Dane Sampson

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