7/31/09

Thankyou Advocate and Motors!

Article from today's Advocate:

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/sport/triathlon/pearson-named-our-top-athlete/1583024.aspx

Pearson named our top athlete

SPORTS AWARD BY CHLOE HOPE

MORE THAN 100 sports star nominees, friends, family and sponsors packed the River Arms at Ulverstone to celebrate the Coast's ample sporting talent - and to hear Richmond coach and Devonport boy Jade Rawlings speak.

Rawlings delved into the world of sporting talent the North-West has produced and discussed the pathways the Coast provides for talented youngsters to do well at the highest level.

As well as Rawlings, local football legend Max Brown kept the crowd entertained as the night's MC.

Triathlete Amelia Pearson, who was selected as The Advocate-Motors Sports Star of the Year by all three judges - The Advocate's Danny Clark and Chloe Hope, and 1979 Sports Star winner and chief selector Bev Hite - had an outstanding season of competition.

Pearson made it all the way to number two in the ITU world long distance rankings on the back of a solid season of competition.

On top of that, Pearson won the Tasmanian title undefeated and was named Tasmanian Triathlete of the Year for the sixth time in a row.

Pearson had a strong 11th place at the 2009 ITU Asian Long Distance Championships in June and placed third at the ITU Oceania Championships in NSW in February.

She was selected in the Australian team that will compete in the world long course championships in Perth in October after winning a bronze medal in the Australian and Oceania championship earlier this year.

The Advocate's general manager, Rod Tremayne, said The Advocate enjoyed promoting the talented sportspeople on the Coast.

"The Advocate newspaper has a strong involvement in Coastal sport through locally focused editorial coverage and substantial sponsorship to a wide variety of clubs, leagues and associations," Mr Tremayne said.

"These awards recognise their excellence and encourage broader participation within our sporting community."