TRIATHLETE Harry Jones topped off an exceptional year by taking out the 2017 Port Macquarie-Hastings Sportsperson of the Year award.
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In its 18th year, the Sports Awards aim to recognise up and coming local achievers. This year, there were 57 nominees across nine categories.
Jones is considered to be one to watch on the triathlon circuit after placing 21st in the British Elite Triathlon Championships in London, winning the Camden Haven King of the Mountain three times and taking out the 2017 Australian Age Group Championships.
Finalists for the top award included Samet Portakaldali, Samuel Lewis, Hannah Faux, Kimberley Tout and Bradley Paterson.
The Junior Sportsperson of the Year awards was strongly contested with 27 finalists across the primary and high school categories.
Record-breaking athlete Dylan De Domizio won the primary school honour for his efforts running at age championship level for the Lismore diocese. He is also the recipient of the Premier’s Sporting Challenge medal.
Hockey star Bradley Paterson won the high school category with accolades including representing Australia at the All School tour of Europe, being named in the Catholic Open College squad and running on for the Maitland Rams in the Newcastle Premier League.
Triathlete Bennett Powell won the Port Macquarie Sportsperson with a Disability honour.
Bennett has an ongoing commitment to developing his skills in triathlon including placing second in his category at the Port Macquarie Ironman and winning his category in the Western Sydney 70.3.
Oliver Payne landed a hole in one for his golfing achievements winning the Wayne Richards Sporting Scholarship. Cricketer Hannah Faux was named runner-up.
Hastings Valley Netball receiving two team awards and one for their exceptional team volunteer, Natalie Jordan.
The 17s squad took out the junior team of the year while the open representative squad won the senior award. It topped off a great 40th year for the club.
Sporting excellence awards were presented to Hannah Faux and Shania Madden.
Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise president, Jenny Sinclair, said the judges had an exceptionally difficult task selecting from the wide range of nominations.
“I don’t envy their job, but with their extensive experience in the sporting industry, I know their decision would have taken a lot of deliberation,” she said.
“Congratulations has to be given to both winners and nominees for exceptional commitment to their sport.
“With $7,000 in prizes awarded to local athletes, the recognition and prize money goes a little way to help them achieve their sporting dreams, and that is our aim with these awards.”
The Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise launched the Port Macquarie-Hastings Sports Awards 17 years ago to encourage participation in sport by young people across the region and provide some financial support to local champions to help them achieve their sporting goals.
The Wayne Richards Scholarship was launched in 2004 by the Mayor's Sporting Fund Sub Committee as a tribute to former Mayor Wayne Richards who established the Mayor's Sporting Fund in 1999 and was a passionate supporter of youth and sport in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.
2017 Port Macquarie-Hastings Sportsperson of the Year award recipients are:
- Coast 2 Coast Sports Sportsperson of the Year: Harry Jones (triathlon)
- Wayne Richards Sporting Scholarship: Oliver Payne (golf); runner-up, Hannah Faux (dressage)
- Patterson Real Estate Junior Team of the Year: Hastings Valley Netball 17 years Representative Team
- Donovan Oates Hannaford Senior Team of the Year: Hastings Valley Netball Association Open Representative Team
- Hastings Physiotherapy Sporting Volunteer of the Year: Natalie Jordan (netball)
- Laing + Simmons Port Macquarie Sportsperson with a Disability: Bennett Powell (triathlon)
- John Patrick Isuzu Ute Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Primary School: Dylan De Domizio (athletics)
- Donovan Oates Hannaford Junior Sportsperson of the Year: High School: Bradley Patterson (hockey)
- Greenmeadows Health Centre - Awards for Sporting Excellence: Hannah Faux (cricket) and Shania Madden (dressage)