Jamie- Lee Lewis takes Australian Honor

Brisbane Barracuda Women’s player Jamie-Lee Lewis has taken out the 2011 Deaf Sport Athlete Female Athlete of the Year. 

Jamie-Lee was diagnosed profoundly deaf just for days after her first birthday.  She received hearing aids at the age of 14 months, however due to ear infections she was forced to undergo numerous operations. When Jamie-Lee was 4years and 7months old, she received her first cochlear implant and started to hear the world around her.

Lewis, who was the first deaf person to be selected to represent Australia in a hearing sport when she was chosen in the Australian Junior women’s water polo team, said she was very humbled by the honour.

“While I was very surprised, I was also very happy,” Lewis said.

“It is a huge honour and when I told some of my teammates they were so happy for me.

“As for my parents, well, I know they are proud of me. I have always had a saying ‘we know we are deaf but we can try to achieve anything’.”

“My motto is to never, never, never give up,” she said.

“As athletes, we all have struggles - ups and downs mentally, as well as physical injuries that can be frustrating - but we all have goals we are determined to achieve.

“It's okay if you haven't achieved your goal, you just have to keep trying and your hard work will be worth it.”

Now 21 years old, Jamie-Lee has overcome a lot of things and is a graduate of All Hallows School and the Hear and Say Centre.  Jamie-Lee has a long list of personal and sporting achievements including a scholarship with the Queensland Academy of Sport, was named the 2009 Athlete with a disability of the Year Award, and was a part of the three time premiership Brisbane Barracudas Women’s National League Water Polo Team.  Despite being injured for the majority of the season, Lewis was able to come back and help the Barracudas to their third straight premiership, a record in the women’s competition.

Jamie-lee is an amazing role model within the sporting community as a player, coach and referee.  In recent years Jamie has taken on a refereeing role at a State and National level.  Jamie-lee is a well deserved winner of Deaf Sports Australia Female Athlete of the Year.

Congratulations from everyone at Water Polo Queensland.