A GEURIE teenager has received a prestigious Pierre de Coubertin Award, recognising her outstanding attitude and commitment to sport.
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Victoria "Tori" Nolan, who recently graduated from Dubbo Christian School, was nominated for the award by head sports teacher Jose Monteiro.
The awards, which are administered in each state by the respective State Olympics Council (SOC), are named after the founder of the Modern Olympics.
They recognise secondary school students who are active participants in sport and display the Olympic ideals of fair play and sportsmanship.
The 17-year-old was a versatile talent, not just a lover of running but throwing herself into soccer, touch football, basketball, futsal and rugby union, captaining numerous teams.
Sport had been a big part of Tori's life.
"It's fun but it's more than that, it's about getting outside, I loved meeting new people and competing on state trips," she said.
Proud mother Julie said living on a property out of town meant there had been plenty of travel to get Tori to and from events.
"All that and the getting home at midnight from state trips has been worth it though," she said.
Despite having done ballet for more than a decade herself, Julie said she would not call herself "a sporty person".
"Dad's side might have had a running gene," Tori said.
Describing herself as someone who was "positive about everything", Tori said it saddened her that some girls gave away sport as they got older because they were embarrassed, or took up other interests.
"I'd say to them, get into it, don't worry about what others think, have a go," she said.
Tori was in no doubt about her own sporting role model.
"Sally Pearson, she is an inspiration and I admire her attitude and work ethic," she said.
Meanwhile Tori said she planned to play plenty of sport, particularly rugby and track and field, when she began her studies in criminology and law at the University of New England next year.