Sport stars crowned at 2024 Curtin awards

Australian Olympic Hockey players Renee Taylor and Blake Govers have been crowned Sport Stars of the Year at the 2024 Curtin Sport Awards.

Renee Taylor, who is studying a double degree in Law and Commerce at Curtin, made her debut for the Hockeyroos in 2015. A two-time Olympian, Renee recently announced her retirement after playing her final games at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Blake Govers, who is studying Commerce at Curtin, debuted as the youngest member of the Kookaburras at the 2016 Rio Olympics. A three-time Olympian, Blake was instrumental in helping Australia win silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne congratulated both athletes for their dedication on and off the field.

“Renee and Blake have not only excelled in their sport but have shown tremendous dedication to their studies at Curtin,” Professor Hayne said.

“The Curtin Sport Awards are a celebration of the excellence and determination of our elite athletes who continue to inspire us all.

“Sport is an integral part of the university experience, and these athletes truly embody Curtin’s values of integrity, respect, courage, excellence and impact. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners on their outstanding achievements.”

The event also recognised Curtin Bachelor of Science graduate and three-time Olympian Zoe Arancini, who was inducted into the Vice-Chancellor’s Elite Athlete Alumni.

Zoe is the captain of the Australian Women’s water polo team and a silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The achievements of Curtin’s athletes, volunteers, clubs and teams were celebrated at St Catherine’s College on 23 October.

Curtin Sport Awards 2024 – full winners list:

• Sports Star of the Year – Renee Taylor (Female Competition), Blake Govers (Male Competition)
  
• Vice Chancellor’s Alumni Inductee Award – Zoe Arancini
  
• Sports Club Excellence Award – Curtin University Swordfish Fencing Club
  
• Sports Club Development Award – Curtin University Panthers Netball Club
  
• John Curtin Award – Curtin University Saints American Football Club
  
• UniSport Athlete of the Year – Mia Gordon (Athletics-Javelin)
  
• Volunteer of the Year Award – Csanad Horvath (Fencing)
  
• Curtin Colours Award – Flynn Newman (Basketball)
  
• Patron of Sport Award – Alex Chua
  
• University Blues – Jed Walker (Beach Volleyball)
  
• Housing Cup – St Catherine’s College
  
• Alan Barblett Shield – Faculty of Business & Law

Further information on the Curtin University Sport Awards and the Elite Athlete Program can be found here.