Emma swimming the Blues after latest win

Emma McKeon received the Most Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award at the 2016 Griffith Sports Blues Awards.
Emma McKeon received the Most Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award at the 2016 Griffith Sports Blues Awards.

Olympic gold medallist Emma McKeon claimed the Most Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award at the 2016 Griffith Sports Blues Awards.

Fellow Olympian and Matildas co-captain Clare Polkinghorne (below) shared the podium with the Academic of the Year Award.

The annual awards ceremony is hosted by the Griffith Sports College, Griffith Sport and Griffith University Student Guild.

Matildas star Clare Polkinghorne took out the Academic of the Year Award.
Matildas star Clare Polkinghorne took out the Academic of the Year Award.

In total, 28 half blues and 41 full blues sporting awards were presented to students throughout the evening.The origin of the Blues Awards dates back to the early 19th century, and the first boat race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities on the River Thames.

Guests heard from inspirational rower and Paralympic triathlete, John Maclean OAM, about his experiences in sport and in life after a tragic road accident in 1998 which left him a paraplegic.

A Q&A panel, led by Director of the Griffith Sports College Duncan Free, and which included Ashleigh Southern (water polo), Matt Denny (discus) and Cara Koenen (netball) offered a glimpse into the experiences and successes of the student athletes.

“It has been another stellar year on the world sporting stage for students at Griffith University,” Duncan Free said.

“From the Olympic and Paralympic Games to renowned sporting venues around the globe, we have seen our students compete and succeed at the highest levels.

“They have been worthy ambassadors for the University, and the Blues Awards gave us an opportunity to acknowledge their remarkable achievements in a fitting way.”

International stage

Olympic gold medallist and former Hockeyroos captain Nikki Hudson presented the event, which took place at the Gold Coast campus Function Centre (G07).

Current students Emma McKeon (left), Madi Wilson, Cameron McEvoy, Jessica Ashwood and David Edwards brought medals home from the Olympics, as part of an extended Griffith contingent in Rio.

Other students to excel at international level in 2016 included Australian Diamonds netball team member, Gretel Tippett, who helped secure the Constellation Cup; Titans co-captain Ryan James who lined out for the Prime Minister’s XIII in Papua New Guinea last month and upcoming discus star Kirsty Williams who won silver at the U20 World Athletics Championships.

To qualify for a Blues Award, students must have represented their nation in international competition during the past year while achieving sound academic results.