Local swimming sensation Harry Bennett was named Narrabri Shire’s Junior Sportsperson of the Year award winner at last week’s Australia Day awards function, which was held at The Crossing Theatre on Wednesday, January 26.
The 15-year-old Wee Waa Swimming Club member enjoyed his most successful swimming season yet last year, which included a debut appearance at the National Age Swimming Championships as well as being named the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges 15-years boys age champion.
Among other achievements during the year, Harry, the son of Garry and Anne Bennett, earned two gold medals and five silver medals at the NSW Country Championships, earned two bronze medals at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships, and earned five gold medals and four silver medals at the North Coast Short Course Area Championships.
Harry told The Courier he was proud to have earned the prestigious award.
“I was in the car on the way home from State Champs at Sydney when I found out,” Harry said.
“I felt relieved and happy when I found out that I’d won it.
“I’ve put in a lot of work to be even able to get an award like this. Training early in the morning and again in the afternoon most days.”
Harry labelled the 2021 National Age Championships event at the Gold Coast, at which he competed in six events, as his greatest achievement of the year.
“Nationals was kind of scary,” he said.
“There’s lots of kids who you’ve never seen before and they’re just really fast and really big too.
“I always thought that I could get to Nationals. It was my top goal.
“It’s still my goal to go there again, but I want to make a final now too.”
Harry thanked his long-time coach Karla Carruthers for all of her hard work and guidance during the past four years.
He also thanked his parents, Anne and Garry, for ensuring he is always able to travel to compete at events and for supporting him every step of the way.
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