ASB MAGAZINE:
Congratulations to WSL Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer who becomes the first surfer to be inducted into the UNSW Sports Hall of Fame. Miley-Dyer joins AFL stars Ted Richards and Tadhg Kennelly, and cyclist Stephen Wooldridge (posthumously) at a gala luncheon at Randwick Racecourse on October 25. The UNSW Sports Hall of Fame was launched in 2003 to honour UNSW students and staff, past or present, who have achieved success at the highest level of sporting competition or made a significant impact on community, country and the sporting world. Jessi becomes the first surfer to be inducted into the UNSW Hall of Fame.
Jessi Miley-Dyer completed her Master of Business in 2016 and currently serves as Deputy Commissioner & Director of Athlete Development at WSL. Miley-Dyer began surfing at the age of eight and won numerous national junior titles before becoming World ISA Under-18 champion in 2003. She turned professional in 2006 and won the Billabong Pro Maui in her debut season, beating 7-time world champion Layne Beachley in the process, on her way to an impressive fourth place overall in the ASP Women’s World Tour rankings and the Rookie of the Year award. Perhaps Jessi’s lasting contribution to the sport was her lead role in bringing pay-equity to the WSL which was announced just last month. Another claim to fame was being chosen as an Olympic Torch bearer in 2000 at the age of just 14 and carrying the flame on a surf boat onto Bondi beach.
“In terms of other females in the Hall of Fame, Jessi joins these members: Jane Saville (Athletics), Gai Waterhouse (Horse Racing), Liz Weekes OAM (Water Polo) and Melanie Webb (Windsurfing),” said UNSW Neil Martin.
There are currently 23 members, including Australia’s 1991 Rugby World Cup winning coach Bob Dwyer and three-time Ashes winning cricket captain Mark Taylor. Previous Hall of Famer inductees Bob Dwyer (rugby union), Alex Blackwell (cricket) and George Peponis (rugby league) will also be attending the gala luncheon for a discussion on the current state of Australian sport and the impact of professionalism on today’s athletes.
Roger Carter, UNSW Sports Development Manager, said: “UNSW has a rich history of students, staff and alumni who have performed at the highest level of sporting competition. Craig Davis organised the first Hall of Fame in 2003, and it’s become a wonderful institution.
“The four inductees have won Olympic and Commonwealth gold medals, a global surfing title, AFL Premierships and All-Australian selections. They are fully deserving of their place among such esteemed company.
“It will be a fantastic event not only to celebrate the four new inductees, but to also raise funds for the Ben Lexcen Scholarships to support future students in their study while they compete and train at the highest level,” said Roger Carter.
ENDS
