Maddie Groves was named the Bond University Sportsperson of the Year at the Bond University Blues Awards.
Groves is a freshman at the school enrolled in a Bachelor of Social Sciences program. Earlier in the year recieved the Georgia Hope Reinhart Swimming Excellence Scholarship to assist in her schooling.
“It is such a privilege to stand in front of my fellow athletes and friends to accept the award for Bond University Sportsperson of the Year,” said Groves.
“Bond is home to so many amazing athletes who study and train here, and their collective achievements both on and off the field this year have been truly commendable.”
“Being part of the Bond Elite Sport Program has been such a benefit to me in juggling both my sporting and academic pursuits, and I am thankful to everyone who has supported me along my journey.”
Groves had a strong 2015 season. At the Australian National Championships she won gold in the 200 butterfly posting a time of 2:05.41, which broke Susie O’Neill‘s all-comers record that stood for 15 years.
She then went on to finish 16th at the World Championships in the same event as well as finishing 17th in the 100 butterfly. After Kazan Groves competed in the World Cup in Moscow where she won silver in the 100 butterfly and bronze in the 200 butterfly. At the next stop of the World Cup Series in Paris she took gold in the 100 butterfly.
Melanie Wright won this same award in 2014.