Canberra, Australia --- For immediate release.

Squash Champion and Ambassador Sarah Fitz-Gerald Feted in Canberra World No1 and four-times World Squash Champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald has received two prestigious awards at the Australian Sport Awards held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.

The first presentation was the Australian Female Athlete of the Year Award, where she defeated a star-studded field including World Surfing Champion Layne Beachley, Tri-Athlete Champion Michellie Jones and World Champion Swimmer Petria Thomas.

The evenings major award, The Dawn Fraser Award, named in honour of one of Australia's greatest ever athletes was also won by the popular squash champion. The criteria for the Dawn Fraser Award has been established by Sport Industry Australia to reflect the achievement and standing of Dawn Fraser in Australia and on the stage of international sport. The award winner must display excellence on the sporting field as well as demonstrate outstanding qualities through their contribution to other areas of Australian society.

At Australia's premier sports awards ceremony, Dawn Fraser said that Sarah "had displayed outstanding commitment to her sport both on and off the court and had proved herself to be an outstanding Australian."

Fitz-Gerald dominated squash in 2001, winning eleven World Tour titles out of the twelve events she contested, including the British Open, Australian Open, and culminating in her winning the World Championships in her home town Melbourne and returning to the top of the World rankings.

Immediately following the ceremony, Fitz-Gerald announced her delight at winning the two coveted awards on her official website www.SarahFitz-Gerald.com,

"I am overwhelmed to have been recognised in this way, and hope that such recognition helps squash to achieve the higher profile it deserves. 2001 was a fantastic year for me and I am now looking forward with new vigour to this years challenges, which include the defence of my World title, and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England in July." Fitz-Gerald next appearance will be as defending champion at the British Open which gets underway April 6th in London and concludes April 15th in Manchester.