BAZAs - Homepage

Beecroft Awards for Zone
Achievement in Sport

Through the BAZAS we acknowledge, reward and encourage all the students who achieve amazing things at the very highest level for their sport, whilst representing their school and Zone.
Paula Davies, BAZAS Creator - Beecroft Zone Life Member - Cherrybrook PS.

History:

The BAZAS began in 2002......

It was an idea that came from a desire to acknowledge, reward and encourage all students who achieve amazing results at the very highest level possible for their chosen PSSA sport, whilst representing their school, zone, area and state.

At that time I was the Zone Secretary as well as the Cross Country Convener for the Zone and State. Previously I had organised something similar in the Mt Druitt Zone PSSA (where I spent many years as secretary, equipment officer and convener of softball, tee-ball, and numerous other sports and major carnivals). After many weeks of sorting through the PSSA Handbook and talking with numerous State PSSA Carnival Organisers I had refined the idea and determined the criteria for the awards.

I presented my idea in July 2002 at the Beecroft Zone PSSA meeting and was delighted by the support my idea received.The first BAZAS Executive were: myself, Wade Bridgewood, Di Bower, Sue Folkard, Jim Visione, David Trevena and Kathy Molloy.

It was Wade who suggested the name BAZAS and Kathy Molloy enthusiastically supported this idea. I have to say at the time I wasn't so sure about the acronym for Beecroft Awards for Zone Achievement in Sport, but the name stuck and everyone seemed happy about it. I wouldn't want it any other way now.

Wade, as Wade does, got totally carried away with the concept and composed a song to go with the event! I thought this was going just too far beyond the formality I had in mind. I still to this day have a copy of Wade's song (link to song here).

We held the first BAZAS at 'The Galston Club' and to everyone's surprise, (there were a few thought the criteria was too hard to meet), we had 20 recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Awards, 4 recipients of the Outstanding Representation Awards and 1 recipient for the Outstanding Team Achievement Award. Our inaugural Zone Sportsperson of the year was Ellyse Perry from Beecroft Public School. Fittingly so, Ellyse has gone on to represent Australia at both football and cricket since the age of 16.

The awards have been a part of our PSSA DNA in Beecroft Zone ever since, mostly thanks to the enthusiastic support I received from my colleagues in those first few years. The BAZAS is a wonderful tradition and a reminder to our many affiliated schools that sporting excellence abounds in Beecroft Zone. Our gifted and talented sportspersons are very deserving of their Zone recognition.


Paula Davies
BAZA Creator

Assistant Principal

Cherrybrook Public School


2024 BAZAS

BAZAS Coordinated and Organised by

When: Wednesday 11th December 2024

Where: West Pennant Hills Public School Hall, 1 Church St, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125

Time: 4:30pm for a 5:00pm start, finishing at approximately 6:00pm

Cost: Nil

Attire: Nominated students must wear full school uniform

Light snacks and refreshments will be served from 4:30pm.

How do you get a BAZA?

A quick guide on nominating for The BAZA Awards

Member schools within Beecroft Zone nominate for category 1, 2 and/or 3; with category 4 being selected by the BAZA Committee. Nominations open late Term 3 up to mid Term 4 and must be submitted by member schools.

Category 1: Outstanding Achievement Award:

Students who have represented the Zone at the very highest level possible for the particular code of sport attempted. This is an individual award for PSSA carnivals and PSSA representative sport only. Please note this category of award does not include swimming relay and athletic relay teams.

Category 2: Outstanding Representation Award:

Students who have represented the Zone at Sydney North or higher in 4 or more separate codes of sport in the current school year. (ie they have received 4 or more representative patches in this calendar year) 

Please note: Sports where no Zone trials were held require students to have been selected in The Combined Zone Team and/or Sydney North Team for this award.

Category 3. Outstanding Team Achievement Award:

Students who were members of a school PSSA sporting team which WON a PSSA State Carnival, WON a State Relay (athletics or swimming) or WON a State Knockout Competition. For relay winning teams only 4 awards will be awarded. (ie The four students who competed at the highest level).

Category 4: Zone Sportsperson of the Year:

The student who has achieved the most outstanding and distinguished level of achievement for the sporting year.  Students are not nominated for this Category by their schools. The BAZA Committee selects a student who has received a BAZA from Categories 1, 2 and /or 3 for Sportsperson of the Year.

This will take into account:

The Beecroft Zone BAZA Committee will use a point scoring system to determine the most outstanding sportsperson should there be several deserving candidates.

Additional Information:

NSW PSSA Handbook Sports

NSWPSSA STATE CARNIVALS 

NSWPSSA Knockout Competition (MUST WIN THE STATE KNOCKOUT)

NSWPSSA School Sport Unit Inititives:
The following sports do have a NSWPSSA Pathway to State Representation but as yet are not quite in the NSWPSSA Handbook.
Students who are selected in teh following teams will have that selection recognised in the BAZA process

How does my child/ward/student get Nominated for a BAZA?:


Please note: