Van Asch a finalist for Tasmanian Athlete of the Year
Rebecca Van Asch has today been confirmed as a finalist for the 2013 Southern Cross Television Tasmanian Athlete of the Year
Tasmania’s only lawn bowls world champion, Rebecca Van Asch, has today been confirmed as a finalist for the 2013 Southern Cross Television Tasmanian Athlete of the Year by Tasmanian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O’Byrne.
During a stellar 12 months on the international and domestic stage, Van Asch (nee Quail), 25, became the Apple Isle’s first world champion, claiming the women’s pairs gold medal at the 2012 World Championships in Adelaide, and in the process etched her name in the record books alongside Kelsey Cottrell as the all time youngest players to win the pairs trophy.
Her feat also assisted the green and gold contingent clinch the Taylor trophy; awarded to the overall female winners, and the Overall Champions trophies.
Among other achievements, Van Asch was runner-up at the 2012 National Champion of Champions event to her Jackaroos teammate, and NSW Athlete of the Year finalist, Karen Murphy, and picked up a gold medal in the triples of the six-nation SA International Series.
Other finalists up for the prestigious award are Amy Cure (cycling), Eddie Ockenden (hockey), Richie Porte (cycling) and George Bailey (cricket).
Ms O’Byrne said the five 2013 finalists demonstrated the ability of Tasmania to produce world-class athletes across a wide range of sports.
“These talented athletes confirm Tasmania’s strengths across the sporting spectrum, representing cycling, hockey, cricket and lawn bowls,” Ms O’Byrne said.
The Southern Cross Television Tasmanian Athlete of the Year Award recognises outstanding performance based on international competition, individual contribution to their sport and the Tasmanian sporting community.
“All our finalists have had excellent performances over the last 12 months, which reinforces yet again how successful we are at competing with the best the world has to offer,” O’Byrne said.
The Southern Cross Tasmanian Athlete of the Year for 2013 will be announced on Friday, 29 November 2013.
Article and picture courtesy of Bowls Australia.
