Sporting Star on the rise

1 December, 2010

Sporting Star on the Rise

December 1, 2010

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) has joined the chorus of praise for up and coming sports star and Wiradjuri man, Nayah Freeman.

NSWALC Councillor for the Wiradjuri region, Craig Cromelin, has commended Nayah's recent achievements, which include invitations to play college basketball in the United States and rugby league with the Penrith Panthers.

Nayah's most recent sporting achievement saw him come 0.2 seconds shy of breaking a 25-year Canadian record in the 200 metres sprint during a premier track event. He's also just recently been named in the Under 16 All Stars Indigenous team.

"This young man is an inspiration to young Aboriginal kids here at home in NSW and indeed all over Australia," Councillor Cromelin said.

 "His recent trip to Canada saw him return home with seven gold medals in a number of events.

"That's a massive achievement for anyone at such a high level.

"You only need to speak to those family, friends and coaches involved with this young man to know that he is a determined, focussed star on the rise.

"His family are his biggest fans, and their unwavering support of Nayah, along with the Young Aboriginal community, is to be applauded.

"All too often, the immense array of talent in the young Aboriginal community goes unrecognised; it's the support of family who make sacrifices to be there for their young that allow them to grow, achieve and reach for their goals.

"Its no fluke that he has succeeded and this can be attributed to that support.

"I'm told Nayah's sporting career is now in the good hands of the Australian Institute of Sport, although I don't envy the task of assessing just which sporting path he will tread," Cr Cromelin said.

"He's got such bright future ahead of him and I wish Nayah all the best in his sporting pursuits."

CONTACT: Kate Munro 0412 791 060

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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