Swimmer and Ironman champion Ky Hurst, and his partner Katie Lander, welcomed their first child on November 17 and have named their son Koa.

Ky has two silver medals in the World Swimming Championships, and has competed at two Olympics in marathon swimming. He has won four Australian Ironman titles, and is a member of the Surf Life Saving Australia Hall of Fame. He has also been a competitor on Dancing with the Stars.

Koa is a name which was featured on the blog this year at popular request, and seems a perfect fit with Ky and Katie.

NRL footballer Ryan Hinchcliffe, and his wife Brooke, welcomed their first child earlier this month, and have named their daughter Ivy. Ivy Hinchcliffe is cousin to Ava McCrone, daughter of Josh McCrone; Ava and Ivy were born around the same time.

Ryan started out playing for the Canberra Raiders in 2007, and since 2009 has been with the Melbourne Storm. In 2010 he was named the team’s Player of the Year. He has also played for Country Origin both this season and last season.

Brooke (nee O’Connor) and Ryan are childhood sweethearts who have been together since primary school – Brooke has it written down in her diary since Year Three. The couple were married in January this year.

(Photo of Ryan from the Brisbane Courier)

NRL footballer Josh McCrone, and his wife Courtney, welcomed their first child earlier this month, and have named their daughter Ava Lulu.

Josh has been with the Canberra Raiders since 2009, and this year was also a member of the Country Origin team.

Courtney (nee Hinchcliffe) is the sister of Ryan Hinchcliffe, who plays for the Melbourne Storm; the McCrones and the Hinchcliffes come from the same town, Temora. Courtney and Josh were married about a year ago.

(Photo from Zimbio)

NRL star Glenn Stewart, and his wife Jo, welcomed their son Mack on November 15. Mack Stewart was born at 10.08 pm, weighing 3.5 kg (7lb 11oz).

Glenn has been playing for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles since 2003, and he has also played for the New South Wales state team, the New South Wales country team, and for the national squad. He was named the Dally M Second-Rower of the Year in 2008. Glenn is the older brother of his team-mate, Brett Stewart.

Joanne or “Jo” (nee Long) and Glenn were married at the start of this year.