Rhys McAlister, Adam Gulden and Hayden Nichols (pictured) all received awards at the recent UNSW blues dinner.
The three individuals all put in an enormous amount of work into the club each week and are very deserving of their accolades. The following is courtesy of the weekly UNSW Sport and Rec newsletter.
Coach of the Year
Rhys McAlister was recruited from the Riverina’s AFL heartland in September 2011 with the view to restoring the UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs to their former glory. By Christmas of the Pre‐Season, Rhys had instilled belief in his players that an AFL premiership ‘flag’ was within reach in 2012. This proved true and the Bulldogs won their first Premier Division flag since 2003. Rhys led by example as a player coach in the defensive backline. He did so with the supreme fitness needed to maintain composure and to make tactical changes while under immense pressure from opposing players. Rhys was also smart enough to recruit a support team to compliment his skills. A key to Rhys McAlister’s 2012 success was to mentor lower grade coaches and create a large pool of players who bought into his winning game plan. Rhys McAlister quickly developed respect within the Sydney AFL community and attracted Swans great, Michael O’Loughlin to his sideline to help with game day tactics while Rhys was busy in the Bulldogs defensive line.
Blues for 2013
Hayden Nichols - B. Science (Marine Biology & Geology) Faculty of Science
Hayden is a newcomer to Sydney yet has thrown himself into our Uni sport culture with gusto.
A future CEO for the Swans, Hayden was player‐manager for the AFL Uni Games team whilst upholding his excellent on field performances. Hayden was also a runner up in the club’s Jack Dean Best and Fairest Award. From the hotly contested Back Pocket defence position, Hayden was selected in the Sydney AFL Development side for the second year running.
This Blue is being awarded for AFL, but Hayden is also a team member of the Sri Lanka bound UNSW Cricket Club team for Twenty20 Red Bull College Cricket World Final. Maybe a rare Double Blue beckons?
Adam Gulden – B. Science (Advance) Faculty of Science
Adam has had an astounding year. He won his competition’s equivalent of the Norm Smith Medal – Best on Ground in the Grand Final. He was also judged by the UNSW ES club as the winner of the Mark MaClure Rising Star Award. A big contributor to his club, which won the Sydney AFL premiership, Adam has worked so hard at each training session and in every game. As we all know, consistent performance is harder than peak performance.
A real clubman, Adam spent his spare time coaching the club’s Under 18 team and was rewarded with selection as a Green and Gold Merit team member for his efforts during Uni Games.
Last Modified on 07/05/2013 11:41
