International cricket superstar D’Arcy Short has taken out the Northern Territory’s top sporting honour, the NT Sportsperson of the Year.
D’Arcy Short has shown his exceptional skill and talent for the breadth of his career and continues to achieve excellence.
In January 2018, D’Arcy made the highest individual score in a Big Bash League match, scoring 122 not out off 69 balls against Brisbane Heat. During the tournament D’Arcy scored a total of 578 runs, including five half-centuries and a century, the most runs by any player in the competition history. He also took three wickets during the season and was named Player of the Tournament. Darcy made his T20 International debut for Australia against New Zealand on 3 February 2018 and made his One Day International debut for Australia against England on 16 June 2018. In June 2018, he along with Aaron Finch registered the highest ever opening partnership of 223 runs in a T20 International match against Zimbabwe. The partnership of 223 between Finch and Short is also the highest partnership for any wicket in a T20 International and also marked the first ever instance of a 200+ run stand in a T20 International match for any wicket.
Palmerston BMX champion Caitlin Jong has taken out the NT Junior Sportsperson of the Year.
Caitlin’s drive and determination is second to none which is evident in her achievements in BMX throughout 2018 including joint winner of the BMX Australia National Series 13 Girls Challenge Class, and 1st place at the BMX Oceania Championships in the 13 Girls Challenge Class. This is the first time a Territory rider has achieved these results. Caitlin went on to be ranked 5th in the world at the BMX World Championships in the 13 Girls Challenge Class and has also been selected to be a part of the National BMX Australia Talented Athlete Program.
NT Team of the Year was awarded to the Mindil Beach Masters Men’s Surf Boat Crew who, in a Territory first, won bronze at the 2018 Lifesaving World Championships.
The Lifesaving World Championships are held every two years, showcasing excellence in surf sports and rescue; attracting the most talented and skilled surf sports and rescue people to compete for the title of world’s best. This event is the highlight on the surf boat rowing calendar, as it gives teams the opportunity to compete against international athletes.
The NT Sports Awards is the premier event on the Territory sporting calendar and recognise the outstanding achievements of our athletes, coaches, sporting officials and volunteers.
Quotes from Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss:
“Sport is truly a way of life in the Northern Territory and 2018 was another exceptional year of sporting accomplishments.
“The Northern Territory has again produced champions across many different sports, and we have built more world-class facilities to support and attract national and international competitions to our backyard.
“Sport is part of the Northern Territory’s culture, and I am extremely proud to celebrate our local sporting heroes, the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, mums and dads from grassroots all the way through to the highest levels of competition.
“The Territory Government continues to invest in the Northern Territory through various grant programs, state-of-the-art infrastructure and world-class events.
“Congratulations to all our nominees, finalists and winners this year. Your hard work, sacrifice and persistence is an inspiration to all of us.”
Media contact: Trish Grimshaw 0401 119 242