From international, national and state stars to local mentors influencing the next generation - the Parkes Shire's outstanding athletes, coaches, managers and administrators will be celebrated once again on Australia Day this coming January at the annual Parkes Shire Sports Awards.
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The nominees have been announced, and it is clear just how important sport is in our town - and the role our town has played in the lives of many elite athletes performing at the top level.
Ron Harrison OAM Bursary
The purpose of the $2,000 bursary is to perpetuate the memory of the late Mr Ron Harrison, who died in February 1985, for his contribution to the community of Parkes and district, particularly in the development of sport
It provides financial assistance to sportspersons of the Parkes Shire, particularly those at junior levels, who demonstrate the need for this assistance to further develop their career
The recipient/recipients will be announced at the January 26 ceremony.
Sportsperson of the Year
- Gabrielle Clyburn (Weightlifting)
- Jack Elliott (Hockey)
- Ben Lovett (Rugby League)
- Mariah Williams (Hockey)
- Luke Bevan (Rugby Union)
- Jack Creith (Rugby League)
- Brent Tucker (Soccer and Cricket)
- Myles Smith (Cricket)
The Sportsperson of the Year is the most prestigious award given out at the Australia Day ceremony, and acknowledges athletes from our shire that are performing at elite state, national and international levels.
Last year the award was shared between Hockeyroo Mariah Williams and Kookaburra Kurt Lovett.
Williams obviously starred at the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year, but it remains to be seen whether the selectors are keen to continue sharing the award around, with significantly more locally based athletes added to the nominees for 2021.
Gabrielle Clyburn won an Australian Weightlifting Federation National Title in her weight division this year, while Luke Bevan, Jack Creith and Brent Tucker were some of the best individuals playing in their respective Central West football leagues.
Second rower Ben Lovett has been starring for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the lower grades since moving to Sydney, Jack Elliott is one of the finest hockey players and golfers this town has and Myles Smith again represented the Western Zone at the NSW Country Cricket Championships.
The talent from our town in astounding, and any of the nominees would be incredibly deserving after a huge 2021.
READ MORE:
Junior Sportsperson of the Year
- Maddy Spence (Cricket)
- Toby Collins (Hockey)
- Abigail Simpson (Hockey)
- Malakai Folau (Rugby League)
- Jaylin Moran (Rugby League)
- Henry Kross (Squash)
- Jack Westcott (Hockey)
Rampaging fullback Malakai Folau and young rising star Jaylin Moran have both received representative honours in rugby league this year, while squash Henry Kross has once again been the top player in the country for his age group.
Hockey players Toby Collins, Jack Westcott and Abigail Simpson prove our favourite sport is still alive and well, with the latter picked in the NSW under 21s team despite her youthful age compared to many of her teammates.
Maddy Spence continues to rise through the Cricket NSW pathway, and represented NSW at underage levels and the Sydney Thunder Indigenous team, in addition to school and country sides.
READ MORE:
Team of the Year
- Parkes Boars first grade
- Parkes Boars women's
- Parkes Panthers AFL
- Parkes East School tennis
- Parkes Spacecats Senior League Tag
Good luck picking a winner in this one! The Parkes Boars were crowned as New Holland Cup champions, their second flag in a row, despite a first-ever home grand final that was cruelly cancelled due to COVID. The women's side also continued to grow from strength to strength since its inception two years ago.
The undefeated Panthers were well on track to also secure back-to-back premierships, but winners could not be awarded after COVID ensure the season had to be cancelled with several games still to play.
Our Spacecats performed very strongly in the Group 11 Senior League Tag competition, and were on track to challenge for the title, before COVID hit, while the Parkes East tennis side also had their chance at a representative title taken due to the pandemic.
READ MORE:
Senior Sportsperson or Team
- Parkes Women's Masters Hockey Team
Just the one nominee this year, but it will be a throughly deserved win for our women's masters - they were instrumental in the inception of the Western Women's Masters League and represent our town with great pride and success.
Referee, Umpire or Official of the Year
- Trevor Chapman (Cricket)
- Glenn Pepper (Cricket)
Two prominent Central West cricket umpires will be fighting it out for the award year.
Coach, Trainer or Manager of the Year
- Josh Miles (Rugby Union)
- Meaghan Kempson (Soccer)
- Brent Wood (Parkes Spacemen)
- Torin Hando (Peak Hill Roosters)
- Mitch Stubberfield (Parkes Panthers)
Always a very hotly contested award, the Coach of the Year.
Last year Cobras coach Meaghan Kempson won, and she once again led her side brilliantly this season. The Cobras were on the cusp of finals before COVID cancelled the WPL season.
Josh Miles, in his final year, coached the Boars to yet another flag - and with the huge player turnover between seasons he will be hard to beat.
Brent Wood (Spacemen) and Torin Hando (Roosters) are fine gentlemen who also happen to coach outstandingly well, with the Spacemen in particular enjoying a sensational Group 11 season while Mitch Stubberfield (who also coached the Central West rep team) was desperately unlucky not be to be a back-to-back premiership coach thanks to COVID cancelling the AFL Central West season.
READ MORE:
Administrator of the Year
- Jay Kross (Squash)
- Trundle Boomers Rugby League Committee
We are blessed by some outstanding off and on field servants in our shire, and the culture of the Trundle Boomers is certainly a big part of that.
Squash player, coach, official and administrator Jay Kross tirelessly works to promote his favourite sport, and is a huge reason why Parkes is seen as one of the premier regional towns for squash in NSW.
READ MORE: Squash is 'buzzing' in Parkes
Long Service and Dedication
- Dumesny Family - Stan, Craig, Tony, John and Michael (Harness Racing)
- Allan Ryan (Rugby Union)
These names will need no introduction, and both would be worthy winners after decades upon decades of tireless service.
The Dumesny family is synonymous with harness racing not just in Parkes, but in NSW and indeed the entire nation. Multiple generations of Dumesny's continue to keep the grand tradition alive and have been involved across every level of the industry for over 100 years.
Parkes Boars committee member Allan Ryan has been a stalwart for rugby union in Parkes, and the wider Central West, for many decades. He has been crucial for the ensuring the huge upgrade of Spicer Oval, and has been behind the lens for basically every single rugby union photo published by the Parkes Champion Post for many years.
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