Leading Australian referee Angus Gardner has been recognised as the best sporting official in his home state after winning a NSW Champions of Sport award.
Gardner, who was one of two Aussie whistleblowers at the 2019 Rugby World Cup along with Queensland’s Nic Berry, was acknowledged at a ceremony in Sydney.
The experienced rugby official beat out nominees from netball, swimming, hockey, table tennis and wheelchair basketball.
Gardner was named World Rugby's referee of the year in 2018.
Brilliant cricket all-rounder Ellyse Perry was named Athlete of the Year title on her third attempt at the NSW Champions of Sport awards, beating out swimmer Cate Campbell, tennis player Alex De Minaur, rugby league’s James Tedesco, diver Rhiannan Iffland and beach volleyballer Mariafe Artcho del Solar.
Sport NSW Chairperson, Carolyn Campbell, congratulated all award winners saying, “The quality of our category finalists was a credit to sport at all levels in NSW. Each of our winners have excelled with sustained performances over the past 12 months and are a credit to their sports.”
