Kerri Bailey Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western Times
A career best year for Bunbury triathlete Ryan Bailie was capped off last night when he was named the 2016 South Western Times AJ “Tood” Buswell Sports Star of the Year.
Bailie was voted by an expert panel of judges as the region’s premier athlete, beating 11 other quality finalists for the annual sports award.
The 26-year-old had a 2016 to remember, competing in his first Olympic Games, where he placed 10th in the triathlon in Rio de Janeiro after coming from 21st after the swimming leg.
Times Group Editor Wayne Vitali and City of Bunbury Media and communications officer Jamie Tatham. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western Times
Bailie finished a career-high sixth in the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series, achieving a fourth place in the Gold Coast round.
Bailie was not able to attend last night’s ceremony because he is in Canberra training at the Australian Institute of Sport ahead of next month’s Super League Triathlon on Hamilton Island.
2016 Junior Citizen of the year Luella Knuckey and Deputy Mayor Brendan Kelly. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western Times
The triathlete became interested in the sport when he was seven years old and gave up a fledging AFL career when he was told to “bulk up” to play colts for South Bunbury.
Ryan’s mother Kerry said her son was successful because of his passion.
he West Australian Regional Newspapers South West regional manager Geoff Beard and Bunbury MLA John Castrilli. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western Times
“It is three sports that you have to be good at,” she said.
“And if you do not love it, you wont do it. Now he has had a taste of success, he wants more.”
Other finalists were footballers Connor Blakely and Jace Cormack, Olympians Alexandra Hagan and Lauren Reynolds, Paralympians Sharon Jarvis and Brad Scott, cricketer Murray Goodwin, sprintcar driver Brad Maiolo, boxer Nathaniel May, jockey Lucy Warwick and 2015 sport star Josh Risdon.
More pictures from the event:
Greg and Debbie Buswell of South Bunbury, Pam Blee of Bunbury and Julia Veza of South Bunbury. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western TimesSports star of the year nominee Jace Cormack and his partner Taryn McClements and Speedway Legend Ron Krikke. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western TimesBunbury Mayor Gary Brennan and His partner Dr Robyn Morris. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western TimesMark Blakely of South Bunbury and Kevin Maslin of East Bunbury. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western Times
Sports Star of the Year Nominee Lucy Warwick and her Mother Carol Warwick of Harvey. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western TimesCr Murray Cook and 2016 Citizen of the Year Joyce McGinn Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western TimesFormer Paralympian Brad Scott speaks with South Western Times Sports Journalist Mitchell Woodcock. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western TimesGriffin Mitchell, of Bunbury, and Rhianna and Brad Maiolo, both of Myalup Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western TimesTimes Group Editor Wayne Vitali speaks at the 2017 AJ "Tood" Buswell Sports star of the year awards. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western TimesSpirit 621 star Ashley Dillon was the master of ceremonies. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western Times
