IN PICTURES: Big crowd gathers for gala function to recognise 2024 Albany Sportsperson of the Year awards

The sporting elite from Albany were celebrated at a gala function at Retravision Stadium earlier this month with volleyball young gun Ryan Slater taking out the top gong. The 2024 Wellington and Reeves Albany Sportsperson of the Year Awards were held on April 3 with more than 120 people in the room. The awards, run by the City of Albany, recognise excellence from Albany sportspeople in four different categories. After making his debut for the Volleyroos in an outstanding 2024, Slater claimed the main award open to high-level State, national or international athletes that come from Albany but have been a resident of the city for at least two years. The other categories were won by highly-promising hockey player Ben Blechynden (junior), outstanding muay thai competitor Shawah Jin (senior) and decorated footballer Brett Hall (master). The audience was captivated by guest speakers Ellie Cole and Greg Hire who spoke individually during the event. Cole, Australia’s most dedicated female Paralympian, spoke about the challenges she faced in reaching the top after losing her right leg to cancer as a child. Hire, a passionate mental health advocate, detailed his stellar basketball career and the mental challenges sport presented.