RIO 2016: Australian sporting legend Ric Charlesworth AM has been crowned the inaugural recipient of the AIS World’s Best Award for his outstanding contribution as an Olympic and Commonwealth Games hockey player, coach and leader.
Charlesworth represented Australia at four Olympic Games (1972, 1976, 1984 and 1988) and won the silver medal with the Montreal 1976 team.
He was chosen as captain of the Australian team which was prevented by boycott from attending the Moscow Olympics in 1980. At his final Games, in Seoul in 1988, he had the honour of carrying the Australian flag in the Opening Ceremony.
As a prolific coach he led the Australian Women’s Team to Olympic gold at the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Games.
After the Beijing 2008 Games he was named as coach of the Australian men’s team. Charlesworth coached the men to World Cup and Commonwealth Games titles, an Olympic bronze medal and four Champions Trophy gold medals.
Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor MP bestowed the honour on Charlesworth, on behalf of Minister for Sport Peter Dutton. As part of the award ceremony the main AIS theatrette in Canberra was renamed the Charlesworth Theatrette.
The ceremony was part of a three day high performance sport conference, World Class to World Best.
“There is no doubt Ric Charlesworth embodies the attributes of being world’s best,” Mr Taylor told the award ceremony. “Few people boast a CV as decorated and varied as Ric’s.
“A medical doctor, member of Federal Parliament, author, first class cricketer, member of five Olympic teams, World Cup winner, member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and coach of multiple Champions Trophy, World Cup, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games medal and trophy winning teams” Mr Taylor said.
The Minister for Sport Peter Dutton said Ric Charlesworth had been a central figure in making and keeping Australian hockey teams the best in the world for decades.
“I congratulate Ric on receiving this prestigious honour and thank him for the remarkable contribution he has made to Australian sport.
“I am also pleased that Ric will continue to share his expertise through his on-going work in high performance sport including mentoring of future sports leaders and coaches.”
Charlesworth stepped down as the coach of the Australian Men’s Hockey Team after leading them to World Champion status in June. The AIS is looking to include Charlesworth in their high performances plans for the 2016 Rio Olympics to help get the best out of all of the team sports.
The AIS World’s Best Award will be presented to an individual from the fields of coaching, leadership, sports science, sports medicine or administration and will only be presented if there is a worthy recipient who has made an outstanding contribution to Australian performances over a long period of time, is recognised nationally and internationally for excellence and whose performance outcomes transcend their specific sport.
AOC with the Federal Government
