RYDE SPORTS FOUNDATION (RSF) held its annual Sports Start of the Year gala awards dinner on Friday, August 14 at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club.

The RSF celebrated its 46th year with 170 people attending its 2026 gala event.
Twelve outstanding sports men and women, who either live or play their sport in Ryde, were introduced, showcased and interviewed by well-known sports presenter and radio veteran, Jim Dolan.

“They truly represented the depth of sporting talent in our City,” RSF chairman Rob Wilkinson said.

Gavin Murray (Masters Athletics) was named 2025/26 Sports Star of the Year.
The Rising Star Award was jointly taken out by Jett Leong (Men’s Hockey) and Tim Forster (Athletics – hurdles).

The Club 6 Encouragement Award was also jointly won, by Brandon Liu (Water Polo) and Stanley Chung (Squash).

The other monthly Sports Star recipients, who were finalists for awards at the event were: Sebastian Krslovic (Men’s Football); Victor Nikolic (Men’s Netball); Julia (Yulia) German (Handball); Ruby Betro (Women’s Football); Jarek Jozwiak (Padel); Jayden Chan (Badminton); and Ryan Reekie (Baseball).

The Sports Foundation also acknowledged and applauded 30 years of very generous support by Club 6 – Ryde Eastwood Leagues, North Ryde RSL, Gladesville RSL, Gladesville Sporties, North Ryde Golf, Club Ryde EX – by recognising each of them with a Contribution to Sport Award

Mr Wilkinson thanked the RSF’s supporters, including TWT, Bendigo Bank, OnePointHealth, Sydney Sports Management Group and Mitronics.
Special guests on the night included RSF Patron, Mayor Trenton Brown, Councillors Sophie Lara-Windred, Lyndal Howison and Keanu Arya; and Federal Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale.

Former Sports Stars in attendance included Louise Sauvage OAM 2001 (Wheelchair Athletics); Dave Nelson 1989 (Baseball); Geoff Davenport 2019 (Squash); Nalyn Sirivivatnanon 2022 (Netball); Valentino Knezovic 2025 (Motorcycle racing).
“Valentino was joined by Donna Garcia (Sydney Sports Management) and Andy Paschalides (Heartbeat of Football) in an entertaining Q & A hosted by RSF director and TWT managing editor, Anthony Stavrinos,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“We also welcomed Olympic Gold Medallists – Louise Sauvage (Sydney 2000), and Erkin Shagaev, a Russian Water polo player (Moscow 1980).”
Stalwarts from the earlier days and Life Members of RSF – Jim Hull OAM and Barry Herbert – were front and centre, along with Chairman # 2 John Shearer.
“Once again, the degree of sporting achievement, amongst athletes from the City of Ryde, is astounding. All of those listed above should be justly proud,” he said.