NINE-year-old Daniel Williams’ dedication to sport and his outstanding achievements across several disciplines has been acknowledged with the Junior Sportsperson of the Year award.
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There are lots of great young athletes in the Valley competing in different sports who also could have won ... but I am very happy.
- Daniel Williams
The youngster was shocked and quietly pleased with himself after finding out he was the recipient of the Australia Day award.
“I was surprised to hear I’d been nominated, and never expected to win the award,” Daniel said.
“There are lots of great young athletes in the Valley competing in different sports who also could have won … but I am very happy.”
Daniel’s extremely successful 2016 saw him travel the state to compete in a number of sports, adding several medals and trophies to his cabinet, and also record a number of personal best times.
Some of the highlights included four medals at the Stramit NSW Country Surf Lifesaving Championships; podium finishes in most events for athletics, cross country, swimming, surf lifesaving triathlon, and fun runs.
But the highlight for him was his effort in the 800m at the All Schools State Athletics Carnival in Sydney, where he was the youngest competitor and he beat his previous time by nine seconds.
“That’s what I’m most proud of,” he said.
“I know I had to beat my best time to get in the final and did by four seconds. The next day I ran another five seconds faster to make it into third place after a sprint finish.
“This year I hope to make it to nationals in Cross Country and Athletics. I did qualify last year, but I was told I was too young to go.
“I also hope to win some more medals at the country and state surf lifesaving championships.
“One day I’d like to try pentathlon, run faster and further and maybe keep training to be an iron man.”
Daniels parents, Keith and Michelle, said he works hard to develop his natural talent and they couldn’t be more proud of his achievements.
“He works hard in training and listens to his coaches and encourages his friends,” Keith said.
“When he races he will always give 100 per cent, he is very humble about his success and takes disappointments on the chin.
“2015 was a disappointing year for him, he always seemed to be sick at the wrong time, last year he bounced back and manged to stay fit and well and achieved some amazing results.”
