Three champion athletes from three very different sports were inducted into the City of Cockburn’s prestigious Sports Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Monday, 24 June 2021.
Held at the City’s administration Centre, the ceremony officially welcomed Soa Palelei, Brett Dorey and Benjamin Rowe to the ranks of Cockburn’s sporting elite.
Mayor Logan Howlett said the induction of Soa Palelei, Brett Dorey and Benjamin Roe into the City’s Hall of Fame continued to highlight the depth and diversity of elite sports people in the district.
“It was amazing to listen to their journey through life and the very positive focus they maintained in the good and bad times - a great message to the many young people at the presentation,” Mayor Howlett said.
“The announcement of the newly introduced Club Recognition Award recipients demonstrated that an increasing number of clubs are operating at a high level in terms of their administration, on field/court activities and inclusive nature of services they offer to their membership base.”
Soa Palelei – MMA
Soa has competed at the State level across a range of events in Mixed Martial Arts from 2002 to 2016. He is a second degree black belt in Brazilian Jui Jitsu. He has been named Australian Heavy Weight Mixed Martial Arts Champion, WA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Heavy Weight Champion, WA MMA Heavy Weight Champion, Australian Freestyle Wrestling Champion, ADCC Australian Heavy Weight Submission Champion and South Pacific MMA Heavy Weight Champion.
Internationally, Soa is a three time World Champion across a range of fighting disciplines (International Kickboxing Federation, KOz Entertainment and Australian Fighting Championships).
He was awarded a contract with the international Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2013.
Brett Dorey – Cricket
Brett was a standout junior cricketer, participating in national competitions in both the under-19 and under-17 age groups. He would go on to have a well decorated career as a State and National level cricketer, competing for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield and one day cricket from 2005 to 20011.
In 2006 Brett debuted for the Australian national ODI team.
Benjamin Rowe – Goalball
Ben has represented Western Australia at the Australian National Championships for goalball from 2010 to 2019. His accomplishments at the National level include:
• Gold medalist – 2015 and 2018
• Silver medalist – 2013, 2017, 2019
• Leading goal scorer – 2010, 2013
• Most Valuable Player – 2013
• 6 time All-Australian
He has represented Australia across a variety of international competitions including Regional Paralympic Qualifiers, International Invitational Championships, IBSA World Games and Asia Pacific Regional Qualifiers.
The City’s Hall of Fame celebrates Cockburn’s storied local athletes, past and present, along with the junior clubs that helped to develop their talents.
The trio join 19 others – including AFL legends, Glen Jakovic and Peter Sumich, and champion lawn bowlers, Smiljana Jakovich and Steve Srhoy – bringing the Hall of Fame’s total membership to 22.
As part of the induction ceremony, three local sporting clubs received recognition awards for their efforts and achievements:
• Best Large Club – Cockburn Basketball Association
• Best Medium Club – Cockburn Cobras Football Club
• Best Small Club – Phoenix Lacrosse Club
Each winner was awarded a $1,500 grant to spend on initiatives to develop their organisation and expand their services. The second and third place winners in each category also received $1,000 and $500
The Hall features at two locations in the City. The original is located at the City's administration building, with plaques honouring the inductees lining the beams of the walkway leading to the Council Chambers. In 2017 a second location was chosen inside the Cockburn ARC, adding to the celebration of our local athletes within a world class sporting facility.
Picture Caption, l-r: Brett Dorey, Soa Palelei and Benjamin Rowe.