| 2012 Blacktown City Sports Awards have been announced.
On Saturday 23 February 2013 representatives of Polish Australian Fencing Club (PAFC) with families attended the 2012 Annual Blacktown City Sports Awards Gala Presentation which was held at Rooty Hill RSL Club. This year the Awards celebrates 30 years as program has been operating since 1983, recognizing the City's sporting men, women, boys and girls. The Awards involves people of all ages and levels of competition and promotes sports and sporting clubs within the community.
Watch photos on the gallery just here!
The awards recognize Blacktown's best sports stars in 2012 and winners were announced over eight major award categories including Sportsperson of the Year, the Mayoral Shield, under 12 Encouragement Award, Sports Administrator of the Year, Coach of the Year, Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Team of the Year.
The 2012 Awards season saw over 50 nominations received at the eight categories. Our club had nominees in four categories. Junior Sportsperson of the Year nominees included 12 winners of monthly awards under 16 years of age. Among them were fencers from our club Adam Taras, 13 years olds winner of February award and September’s winner 10 years old Sylvia Musel. In the most prestigious category Blacktown City Sportsperson of the Year we were represented by Adam Kortynski, 17 years old winner of August award. Jerzy Kortynski was nominated in the Coach of the Year category and our club in the new Club of the Year award which was introduced this year.
"We have an enormous amount of sporting talent in Blacktown City. It's a part of our lifestyle and this is a fantastic way for people of all ages to get out, be active and get recognized", Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Len Robinson said.
Special guest speaker on the night was Anna Meares, OAM - 2012 London Olympics Gold Medalist in Track Cycling. She sheared an insight into her fascinating life story full of dramatic and exiting moments and provided some tips for young candidates for future champions.
The top honor on the night, Blacktown City’s Sportsperson of the Year was awarded to 23 years old, Jayme Richardson Paris for her achievements in Para-cycling. She took home prize money of $3,000 and holds the prestigious title for the next 12 months. Jayme becomes the second sports person to win this award twice. Jayme's para-cycling achievements are remarkable and have seen her travel across the world. She was selected in the Australian Paralympics Games Team for the 2012 London Paralympics. She won the Bronze Medal in the WC1-2-3 category and the Gold Medal in the WC1 in a New World Record 500m Time Trial for Track Cycling.
This time PAFC had also occasion to celebration. The prestigious title Blacktown City's Coach of the Year 2012 was awarded to Jerzy Kortynski, funder and Head Coach of Polish Australian Fencing Club.
"Congratulations to all the winners and nominees in the 2012 Sports Awards. The diversity of sporting talent in our City is truly an inspiration", Mayor Robinson said.
The night was not just about announcing the winners. This is a celebration of Blacktown City’s sporting elite, and awarding athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers foe their talent, dedication and hard work in pursuit of sporting excellence. It is also an opportunity to encourager sporting youth, tomorrow’s champions, by showing them what hard work and sacrifice can achieve.
Blacktown Sun photos are available from http://www.blacktownsun.com.au/story/1323558/blacktown-sports-star-awards/?cs=1683 (Adam Kortynski is on the photo no.30 and Jerzy Kortynski is on the photo 37). | 
