Sports Council Chairman Ben Howard was not relishing the task of trying to separate one winner from each of the categories.

“There are many outstanding efforts, with regional, state and national representatives, achieving great results at the highest level in their chosen field I don’t know how we are going to single out just one,” he said during deliberations.

The Parkes Shire Sports Awards will be presented during the Australia Day Ceremony at Cooke Park.

The final nominations are as follows:

Sportsperson of the Year

James Pritchard (rugby union), George Wright (horse racing), Tony Drabsch (pistol shooting), Peter O’Donnell (motor racing), Tiffany Jeffries (horse racing), Pat Rosser (rugby league and cricket), Rowan Orcher (rugby league), Nick Doig (rugby league).

Jonny Rathbone (rugby union), Denise Gersbach (hockey), Jane Grosvenor (hockey) Donna Payne (hockey), Maureen Massey (hockey), Keeghan Tucker (cricket), Ian Westcott (hockey), Ben Hawken (hockey).

Heamani Lavaka (rugby union), Jeremy Flynn (hockey), Noel Johnstone (hockey), Scott Knights (cricket), Eric Miles (clay target shooting), Justin Sutton (golf), Warrick Johnstone (hockey), Ken Sanderson (hockey).

Junior Sportsperson

of the Year

Peter Amor (athletics), Kristen Nightingale (squash), Jack Elliott (hockey), Kimeaka Evans (all round), Sam Coster (rugby league), Toby Evans (rugby league), Ben Burrell (motorbike racing), Jake Dooley (touch and rugby league).

Kurt Lovett (hockey and touch), Sam Abbey (rugby union), Jaiden Burke (all round), Tommy Aveyard (athletics), Jessica Ross (hockey) Mitch Hutchings (soccer), Alex Bateson (soccer), Vince Reilly (athletics).

Long Service/Dedication

Gordon Pritchard (Parkes Jockey Club), Greg Duffy and Michael Greenwood (Parkes Sports Council), John Pizarro (go kart racing), Bill Barber (Parkes Aero Club), Paul Thomas (golf), Fay Blackstock (squash), Sharon Dixon (all round).