The 2006 Australian University Sports awards were presented on 2 May at the UTS Campus in Sydney SUBC lightweight rower Elsa O?Hanlon was named the AUS Sportswoman of the Year.
O?Hanlon had an excellent domestic season in 2006. She won a silver medal in the U23 lightweight double scull, and a bronze medal in the U23 lightweight quad scull at the National Championships. She also represented New South Wales in the Interstate lightweight quad scull.
After selection trials, O?Hanlon earned a spot on the Australian Universities team to compete at the World University Games in Trakai, Lithuania. In the final of the lightweight women?s single scull she led from start to finish and claimed the team’s only gold medal.
O?Hanlon will compete at the Henley Royal Regatta this coming July.
SUBC coach Philip Bourguignon has also been honoured at the awards ceremony. Named Coach of the Year, Bourguignon began his time at Sydney Uni in December 2005.
He coached the winning 2006 SUBC men?s eight that retained the Oxford and Cambridge Cup, and later was chosen to coach the U23 Australian women?s squad at the World Championships in Hazewinkel, Belgium. There, his women?s four won gold in a new world best time, while his women?s pair raced their way to bronze.
In 2007 Bourguignon will again represent Australia, having been selected to coach the U23 men?s eight that contains six SUBC rowers and SUBC Cox Toby Lister.
Our photo shows Elsa O’Hanlon at the 2007 State Championships after winning the women’s lightweight quad scull.