GSAS Gala Night 2025 – Celebrating Our Athletes

On August 10th, the Great Southern Academy of Sport hosted its annual Gala Awards Night at Retravision Stadium, bringing together athletes, families, coaches, and supporters to celebrate another year of incredible achievement. With 120 people in attendance, the night was a true showcase of the talent and dedication that defines GSAS.

The highlight of the evening was recognising the outstanding performers of 2025. With so many exceptional athletes in the program, the competition was tough — but these award winners truly stood out with their commitment, attitude, and performance:

🏆 Mason Watkins – Male Individual Athlete of the Year (Athletics)
🏆 Ben Blechynden – Male Team Athlete of the Year (Hockey)
🏆 Keely Berry – Female Team Athlete of the Year & Players’ Player (Netball)
🏆 Ginger Gleeson – Female Individual Athlete of the Year (Athletics)
🏆 McKinnon Barrett – Coaches Award (Volleyball)
🏆 Abbey O’Donnell – Coaches Award (Mountain Biking)
🏆 Bec Gleeson – Coach of the Year (Athletics)

Each athlete winner received a trophy, $500 prize from their sponsors, and a professional photo shoot to represent GSAS as the face of the Academy over the next 12 months.

A special highlight of the night was a keynote speech by Isi Campbell (surfer and inaugural GSAS athlete) who shared her inspiring journey through the highs, successes, and challenges of life as a high-performance athlete. Her words were a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination it takes to succeed at the top level.

The evening was more than just awards - it was a celebration of all GSAS athletes and the effort, growth, and success they’ve achieved throughout the year. Congratulations once again to our winners, and thank you to our community, sponsors, and supporters for making Gala Night 2025 such a memorable success!