Carley wins council sport award

Umina resident Carley Chapman has been awarded the Gosford City Australia Day Community Sport Award for her involvement in both Special Olympic sport and mainstream sport.

Carley is 22 years old and has Down syndrome but still regularly participates in a variety of sports including swimming, golf, 10-pin bowling, athletics, soccer, tennis and basketball.

Carley's Special Olympic regional and state sporting credits include swimming, athletics, tenpin bowling, soccer, basketball, sailing and golf as well as being voted in for the past two years as a member of the Special Olympics Central Coast Committee.

Last year she won two gold medals at the National Titles in the 100 metre sprint and shot-put and was selected to light the cauldron with the Flame of Hope torch at Bluetongue Stadium.

Outside of the Special Olympics, she is also involved in netball, dancing, golf and karate, has completed an athletes leadership program and has travelled all over the country to compete in sporting events.

"Carley was very pleased to receive the letter from the committee of the Gosford City Council Australia Day Community Awards, inviting her to Laycock Street Theatre to receive a certificate for her sporting abilities," said Carley's mother Ms Jenni Chapman.

"At that time she didn't realise that there were going to be overall winners in each category so was very surprised,' she said.

Carley was nominated by her brother and sister-in-law, who according to Ms Chapman shed a few happy tears when she was announced the winner.

"Carley wasn't expecting to be even nominated let alone to win the sports categories.

"Carley stated that she could not believe that she had won an award," said Ms Chapman.

Ms Chapman said Carley enjoys sport and dancing as she is able to be herself and achieve her personal best, have fun, meet new people and travel to different places for competition.

"Carley enjoys competing and is surprised with herself when she does win medals and ribbons.

"Training helps with her fitness, self-esteem and definitely confidence, but she is humble as well and is very surprised at times when she does win events," said Ms Chapman.

Media Release, 24 Jan 2011 Peter Wilson, Gosford Council Media Email, 2 Feb 2011 Jenni Chapman, Umina