It’s been a remarkably successful year for our Club Ambassadors.
In April, Adelaide-born golfer and Crows Ambassador Adam Scott made sporting history by becoming the first Australian to win the US Masters. Scott defeated 2009 champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina with a birdie at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off. An Ambassador since 2004, Scott showed nerves of steel to hole the winning putt from four metres on Augusta National’s 10th hole after Cabrera narrowly missed his birdie putt.
Scott continued his run of good form, winning the Australian Masters and combining with countryman Jason Day to win the teams’ component of the World Cup. Scott narrowly missed out on claiming the Australian Triple Crown, finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy in the Australian Open.
The lifelong Adelaide supporter took time out of his busy schedule to meet star-struck Crows Taylor Walker and Brent Reilly at Royal Melbourne in November, and even agreed to be interviewed by Tex. You can watch the interview by clicking the play button above.
Basketballer Patty Mills came agonizingly close to achieving another amazing sporting feat. The Boomers point-guard was part of the San Antonio Spurs’ quest for an NBA Championship in June. Mills appeared to have a championship ring within his grasp when the Spurs, who led the series 3-2, surged ahead late in Game Six of the best-of-seven Finals Series. But led by superstar LeBron James, the Miami Heat pushed the series into a seventh game and claimed back-to-back Championships with a thrilling seven-point win.
BMX World Champion Sam Willoughby enjoyed another brilliant season. In May, Willoughby broke the record for most consecutive wins in USA BMX. He claimed 19 wins this season, taking out the USA BMX Pro Title and earning Nora Cup and Pro Rider of the year honours. During a brief trip to Adelaide mid-year, Willoughby cheered on his beloved Crows at a home game at AAMI Stadium.
A long-time Crows fan, South Australian cricketing great Darren Lehmann took on the hopes of the nation when he was appointed as coach of the Australian Cricket Team. Ahead of the second Ashes Test, ‘Boof’ caught up with Patrick Dangerfield at Adelaide Oval.
Iconic Adelaide 36ers superstar Brett Maher also joined the coaching ranks, appointed as head coach of former club, Sturt Sabres, for the 2014 State Basketball League.
South-Australian born Singer Guy Sebastian capped off a busy year, winning two ARIA Awards in November. The former X-Factor judge picking up gongs for Best Pop Release and Best Live Act.
Crows No.1 ticket holder Lleyton Hewitt also claimed some silverware.
Showing he’s still a force on the ATP Tour, Hewitt claiming the John Newcombe Medal as Australia's most outstanding player in 2013. Ranked outside the world's top 100 in February, the dual Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 climbed his way back up to 60th in the rankings after claiming a series of big-name scalps and leading Australia back into the Davis Cup World Group for the first time since 2007.
Former Australian netball star Kathryn Harby-Williams also earned recognition, inducted into the SA Sports Hall of Fame.
Media personality Keith Conlon hung up the headphones on a remarkable career in November. After 13 years with the FIVEaa Breakfast show, and more than 50 years in the media, Conlon decided to retire from breakfast radio to spend more time with his family and explore more exciting opportunities to promote South Australia.
A former colleague of Conlon’s, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald continued to take the radio world by storm.
'Fitzy' and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli won three trophies for best networked program, best station produced comedy segment and best multimedia execution at the Commercial Radio Awards in October.
Former captain Mark Ricciuto and wife Sarah welcomed another potential Crows Father-Son recruit, Rocco, in November. Rocco is the couple’s fifth child.
Australia’s most-successful ever Paralympian Matt Cowdrey, claimed five gold medals at the World Championships in Montreal. He also strutted his stuff outside the pool in the CLEO Bachelor of the Year competition, and took on Crows midfielder Rory Sloane in a freestyle race at West Lakes.
Another Olympic Gold Medallist Gillian Rolton travelled the globe as a judge at International Horse Jumping events. Former Paralympic athlete Katrina Webb, who recently gave birth to baby number three, also went jet-setting. Katrina was part of the CSC Leaders program in Manchester and Mumbai. The program assembles people from across the Commonwealth to tackle challenges facing the world today and build the relationships needed by the leaders of tomorrow.
Ambassador Dorinda Hafner met the Dalai Lama during His Holiness’ visit to Adelaide. Masterchef winner Adam Liaw has been busy writing a cookbook ‘Asian After Work’ and has new show on SBS all about Japan, while fellow chef Callum Hann is spreading the ‘Sprout Cooking’ phenomenon and has released his own book, ‘The Starter Kitchen’.
Singer Wes Carr is touring with his new Buffalo Tales album ‘Road Trip Confessions’ and actor Damon Gameau starred in the movie ‘Save your Legs’ released in cinemas earlier this year. Damon is now working on a Channel Ten television series and several other side projects. Australian country music singer and songwriter Beccy Cole will be the headline act at the Crows Christmas Carols in December.
Congratulations to all of our Ambassadors and thank you for your ongoing support.