Mickle Crowned WA’s Sports Star of the Year

Kim Mickle has captured a memorable trifecta after being announced as the recipient of the 2013 ANZ Sports Star of the Year.

The Award – recognizing Mickle as Western Australia’s best athlete of 2013 – added to the recent accolades she received from WAIS and Athletics Australia, crowning a truly exceptional year for the track and field star.

Mickle in August, won silver at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, when competing in the women’s javelin final, she set a huge personal best of 66.60m. The mark, was one of three PB’s for the tournament – that catapulted the 28 year-old to second on the Australian all time list, behind Louise Currey (66.80m).

Mickle earned podium positions in each competition she entered into across 2013, and consolidated her status as one of Australia’s greatest ever field athletes by winning a record eighth national title in April of this year.

The ANZ Sports Star of the Year Award was presented to Mickle ahead of a stellar field of WA sporting talent. A collection that included a strong grouping of WAIS athletes, that read; Lauren Reynolds, Melissa Hoskins, Luke Durbridge, Caitlin Bassett, Glencora McGhie and Alex Hagan and Hannah Vermeersch (jointly).

The hattrick of awards for Mickle, was also replicated by her long standing coach Grant Ward who received the WA Coach of the Year trophy to go with recent WAIS and Athletics Australia recognition for his efforts in preparing Mickle for her significant heights in 2013.

U23 World Championship gold medal winning rowers Alex Hagan and Hannah Vermeersch were jointly bestowed WA’s Junior Athletes of the year, rewarding a season that also saw the pair take a senior world championship bronze medal as members of the Australian women’s four.

2013 Youth Sailing World Champions, Carrie Smith and Ella Clark were named the Channel 7 Team of the Year, after they claimed gold in the girls 420 class at this year’s youth titles in Cyprus, held in July.