Albany sportsperson of the year: Volleyroos young gun Ryan Slater wins top gong, other 2024 winners recognised

National volleyball representative Ryan Slater upstaged a strong field of rivals to claim the 2024 Wellington and Reeves Albany sportsperson of the year honour on Thursday night. The awards also recognise a junior, senior and masters winner, but the top prize went to the emerging Volleyroo, who is in Germany competing, but had his parents Simon and Julianne at Retravision Stadium to accept it on his behalf. State hockey young gun Ben Blechynden collected the junior award, rising Muay Thai star Shawah Jin was named the senior winner, and decorated footballer Brett Hall won the masters accolade. Slater had a brilliant 2024, making his national debut in the Volleyroos team in July as part of the side that played in the Korea Invitational and then an exhibition tournament in China. The 25-year-old also won a silver medal with the Perth Steel in the Australian Volleyball Super League and has spent time at the Australian Institute of Sport. Slater beat a crack field of four other finalists — Jeremy McGovern (football), Bryce Jackson (cricket), Darcy Cameron (football) and Jacob Blight (football) — to join Cameron. who won the 2023 title as the only two winners of the relatively new award. McGovern had been tipped to win the gong after a year that included his fifth All-Australian selection and the John Worsfold Medal as the West Coast Eagles’ club champion. Jackson was also firmly in contention after making his State debut last year and then recording WA’s best one-day bowling figures with 6-31. A shocked Slater was told of his win during a video call on the night, played in front of the crowd. “Albany means everything to me,” he said. “I grew up there, obviously, I love the place and I miss it a lot. “Winning the award, also very nice. I wasn’t expecting anything like this, so its really nice to be recognised.” He said it was fantastic to see volleyball recognised among other big team sports. “It’s awesome,” Slater said. “There is lot of great talent in footy and cricket going around and other guys same age as me. “I’m honestly shocked that volleyball got recognised, but huge honour. “There is a lot of progress being made with volleyball down in Albany. Hopefully some other young volleyballers can follow along.” Jin claimed the J&S Castlehow Electrical Services senior Albany sportsperson of the year title after an outstanding 2024. He defeated triathlete and 2023 winner Damien McAleese and State hockey gun Darren Parkes to claim the award for the first time. Jin won gold in the 57kg division at the Muay Thai Australian Nationals, among a host of other titles, and was named up-and-coming pro fighter of the year by the Muay Thai Australia WA panel. Five finalists were named for the Retravision junior Albany sportsperson of the year award, and Blechynden won it after a 2024 season full of accolades. Keely Berry (basketball/netball), Mason Watkins (athletics), Shelley Thompson (soccer) and Caleb Benson (athletics) were the other finalists. Blechynden was part of the WA Country under-14 team that won gold at the national hockey championships to go with a host of local honours including fairest and best and the grand final’s most valuable player in his junior grade. Hall was crowned the Sound Life Financial Services masters Albany sportsperson of the year winner, ahead of fellow finalists Steven Hurley (shooting) and Michelle Salisbury (crossfit). The football veteran toured Ireland with the AFL Masters over-50 team and also represented WA at the national carnival, where he was named All-Australian and won the Whitten Medal as fairest and best in the 50s division. A judging panel voted on the nominees in all four categories to determine finalists and then a winner. All award entries were evaluated based on their level and intensity of their respective competitions, as well as their demonstrated individual performance and contributions to the community. City of Albany mayor Greg Stocks congratulated the nominees and winners for their achievements. “These awards shine a light on the incredible talent we have in Albany, across a wide range of sports and at every level,” he said. “It’s inspiring to see so many athletes not only achieving excellence in competition, but also giving back to their clubs and communities. “Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and award winners — you’ve made Albany proud.” More than 100 people attended the awards, and the audience were captivated by guest speakers Ellie Cole and Greg Hire. Cole, Australia’s most dedicated female Paralympian, spoke about the challenges she faced in reaching the top after losing her right leg to cancer as a child. Hire, a passionate mental health advocate, detailed his stellar basketball career and the mental challenges sport presented.

Albany sportsperson of the year: Volleyroos young gun Ryan Slater wins top gong, other 2024 winners recognised

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