top sportspeople awarded at 2007 Bali Sports Awards
Italian- Australian Rodney Holt, owner of Stiff Chilli Restaurants in Bali and Singapore, was presented with the award by Australian swimming champion Michael Klim at the inaugural Bali Sports Gala last Saturday night.The sports-mad restaurateur has been awarded Bali’s Sports Personality of the Year for his achievements both on and off the field in Indonesian Rugby and the promotion of Sport in Bali..
The award recognises Holt’s selection in the Indonesian National Rugby team this year, and 10 years of playing for the Bali Chooks (renamed the BRC Chillis this year). It also recognises his past achievements as an Olympic speed skier, and his sponsorship of various sporting clubs and events in Bali including the BRC Chillis Rugby team, the Bali Flames Netball Club, the Sanur Rugby Fest ,Bali Beach Rugby Cup, Bali Basketball Amateur League and Hotair Kiteboarding competition, not to mention the Gala itself which he initiated.
Holt was announced the winner after an overwhelming number of votes nominating him from sporting teams taking part in the Gala, which included the Flames, the Bali Geckos Australian Rules Football team, Bali Rugby Club, Bali Bulldogs Football team, Royal Bali Yacht Club and the Metro, Geckos and Udayana cricket teams.
Rodney Holt receiving award from Michael Klim
Amber Gourlay won the Female Sports Star of the Year award for her achievements in netball and surfing. Gourlay was voted the Flames’ Most Valuable Player at an international netball tournament in Bangkok in July, was invited to compete in the Cloud Nine pro-surfing contest in the Philippines and also took part in the 5km fun run at the Bali Triathlon.
Mark Parthezius was named Male Sports Star of the Year for his achievements in a number of sports. He was selected in the Indonesian National Rugby Team, represented the BRC Chillis Rugby team at various tournaments, and as vice-captain led the Bali Geckos Australian Rules team to glory at a number of match-ups this year. He also completed his first full triathlon earlier this year, coming 26th overall and 7th in his age group,.
Mark Parthezious receiving Bali Best Sportsman award from Richie Vandenberg
The awards were announced at Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel on December 1, after each participating club presented their own awards to their most outstanding players. The night also included a charity fundraising raffle and auction of sporting memorabilia.
Klim was guest of honour along with Richard Vandenberg, the retired captain of Australian Rules football club Hawthorn, and Natasha Chokljat, an Australian netball representative and multi-premiership winning player with the Melbourne Vixens (previously Phoenix).
Holt initiated the Gala to celebrate the achievements of Bali’s fast-growing sporting clubs and the contributions they put back into the local community. The event follows hugely successful sporting tournaments and competitions on the island, including the annual Bali Nines Australian Rules Football Tournament, Bali Tens Rugby Tournament, Bali Sevens Netball Tournament and the first Bali International Triathlon held in June.
Holt said he hopes the Gala will become the biggest night on Bali’s sporting calendar