Queenslanders take top sports awards

Top sports from the Navy Youth Program, Daniel Boyle and Zoe Mack. Photo by ABPH Cristine Mercer, NIU/East.

By Graham Davis

Two Queensland teenagers have taken out the sportsman and sportswoman awards for the latest Navy Youth Program course completed in Sydney.

A total of 14 young people vied for the awards during six weeks of exciting competition and team building.

The activities were centred on the Indoor Sports Centre at Fleet Base East and on Sydney Harbour.

The top sportsman was Daniel Boyle, 18 of Murarrie and the top sportswoman was Zoe Mack, 17 of Morayfield.

PT instructors led by PO Donna Edge judged the students.

They were assessed on their team sports and their individual abilities such as abseiling and wall climbing.

The students also paddled kayaks on the Harbour.

The sporting program is just one phase of the NYP schedule.

At other times they receive instruction in the FIMA/Sydney workshops learning about metal work, corrosion control, carpentry and electrics.

Classroom instruction also occurs.

Aim of the NYP is to give young people the opportunity to see what it is like in the Navy and should they like what they see, help them become technical sailors.

Of the 14 who graduated from Course 1/03 on March 7, ten have asked to join the RAN.

The instigator of the program, CMDR Rick Barnett, along with many parents, some of whom had come from Queensland, attended the graduation and presented awards, including those to Daniel and Zoe.

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