NSWIS diver Matthew Mitcham has taken home four awards from the 2008 NSWIS Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, 27th November.

On the back of his heroics at the Olympics, where he won gold in the Men's 10m Platform diving, Mitcham's finest moment at the ceremony came when he clinched the ClubsNSW Male Athlete of the Year.

Coupling his win of the top male award, Mitcham also won the Ian Thorpe/Grand Slam International Outstanding Achievement - Male, which he shared with Wheelchair Track & Road star Kurt Fearnley, the Classic Sportswear Most Memorable Moment and was honoured in a special presentation with coach Chava Sobrino in recognition of their teamwork during the Olympic year. 

Sobrino then took out the Telstra Coach of the Year award after coaching Mitcham, as well as Alex Croak and two junior athletes to Junior World Championship finals.

Canoe Slalom athlete Jacqueline Lawrence made her night a memorable one by winning the Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation Female Athlete of the Year award.

The win of the most prestigious female award comes on the back of Lawrence's silver medal performance in the Women's K1 Canoe Slalom in Beijing.

Nicole Kullen took out the Ian Thorpe/Grand Slam International Outstanding Achievement - Female after making her debut at the 2008 Paralympics; Casey Eastham won the Out and About Marketing and Media Junior Athlete of the Year award while Sarah Stewart won the University of Sydney Academic Excellence award.

Nathan Page and Malcolm Wilmot capped off their amazing year by winning the Sydney City Toyota Team Athlete of the Year award.

In what was a perfect finish for the team, the Sailing program also won the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Program of the Year on the back of a number excellent results from around the world.

Trent Franklin, a member of the Olympic Men's Water Polo team, won the Lawler Partners Career Development award while Grant Brits took home the Australian College of Physical Education Academic Excellence - General award.

The Equestrian program was another winner, taking home the Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation Regional Excellence award.

The Awards Dinner recognises the achievements of NSWIS athletes and coaches over a 12 month period.

To read the official press release, click here.