By Tereza Kancijanic

Two young, outstanding sporting talents shared in the glory at this year's Primary Sports Awards. Natasha Fountas from St Michael's Daceyville and Isabella Keogh from Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah shared the accolades by winning the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Natasha and Isabella were awarded the highest honour among the 36 award recipients. Natasha was recognised for representing NSW in the Australian All Schools Cross Country Championships and representing the State team for Athletics. Isabella was awarded for representing the State in both Basketball and Netball.

The annual Primary Sports Awards recognise outstanding young athletes in Catholic Primary schools who have shined in a variety of sports during the school year.

"As well as representing the Sydney Archdiocese in a NSW Catholic Primary school (NSWCPS) Mackillop team or the NSW PSSA team, the students have to demonstrate a high level of sporting achievement," Troy Moran, CEO, Sydney's Primary Sports Co-ordinator said.

At the ceremony Paul Nunnari, Silver Medallist at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games presented the students with their awards. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Nunnari congratulated the students as well as, the parents and teachers for their time and dedication.

Mr Nunnari a former Catholic school student, who started wheelchair racing in 1992, said the ingredients to achieving your goals are to have self belief and passion.

"Always believe in yourself and your dreams. Pursue your dreams no matter what, and you will achieve your goals. It is a long journey to success, as with anything in life, you need to love what you are doing to succeed," he said.

"Sport is a great equaliser and transcends difference, no matter what hardships come along the way, you can achieve anything with the right attitude," he added.

Margaret Gregson, who along with her husband, Allan was awarded a Staff Service Award for their volunteer work with Sydney Catholic schools; particularly in the area of disabled sports, said the awards were a great way to encourage students to pursue their sporting ambitions.

"Anything that encourages students to aim high and pursue their dreams is a great initiative. The awards no doubt give the children a great confidence boost," she said.

A delighted Natasha said she was happy but surprised to have won the award which is her first major sporting award.

"I was very surprised to win the award, I didn't think I would," she said.

Natasha said her sporting hero is Cathy Freeman and one day hopes to emulate her sporting achievements.

"I want to be able to achieve my goals, like Cathy Freeman has achieved hers," she said.

Isabella, the daughter of Olympians, Damian and Maree Keogh said she would like to follow in her parents footsteps; both parents represented Australia in Basketball.

"I would like to represent Australia in Basketball one day...I just love the sport!"

Isabella understands the dedication and the skills needed to succeed.

"You need to be able to co-operate with your team mates and you need to train really hard," she said.

2007 Primary Sports Awards Recipients

• Godfred Ageymang, St Mel's Primary, Campsie
• Bernadette Flannery, St Mark's Primary, Drummoyne
• Maddison Antoun, Santa Sabina College, Strathfield
• Alexandra Bellantoni, Marion Primary, Horsley Park
• Monica Dimon, St Catherine Laboure, Gymea
• Jordan Foote, St Mary-St Joseph, Maroubra
• Ben Gordon, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick
• Joshua Green, Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah
• John Hogan, Fr John Therry, Balmain
• Mariella Hurtado, St Gertrude's Primary, Smithfield
• Henry Kemp, Holy Cross Primary, Woollhara
• Nathan Kendall, John the Baptist, Bonnyrigg
• Alex Kyriacou, Our Lady of the Annunciation, Pagewood
• Audrey Kyriacou, Our Lady of the Annunciation, Pagewood
• Matthew Mazzeo, St Joseph's Primary, Enfield
• Annaleise McCauley, St Aloysius Primary, Cronulla
• Brodie Mellor, Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah
• Cassandra Millet, St Joseph's Primary, Como
• Cassandra Nader, Regina Coeli Primary, Beverly Hills
• Charbella Nandan, St Therese Primary, Padstow
• Christopher Naumoff, Holy Family Primary, Menai
• Tessa O'Shea, Blessed Sacrament, Clifton Gardens
• Timothy Park, St Joseph's Primary, Enfield
• Nic Petrillo, St Francis Xavier's, Lurnea
• Lincoln Plevey, Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah
• Louise Poole, St Mark's Primary, Drummoyne
• Emily Rohr, Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah
• Tavleen Singh, St Andrew's Primary, Malabar
• Trent Smith, St Joseph's Primary, Como
• Jaushua Sotirio, St Vincent's Primary, Ashfield
• Grace Strawbridge, Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah
• Jessica Thornton, St Mary-St Joseph Primary, Maroubra
• Laura Towell, St Luke's Primary, Revesby
• Gabriel Zihori St Gertrude's Primary, Smithfield

2007 Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients

• Natasha Fountas, St Michael's Primary, Daceyville
• Isabella Keogh, Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah