Awards night recognises Karratha’s sport stars

Sport doesn’t happen without players, coaches, officials and volunteers, and last Friday night, the most dedicated sportspeople in the City of Karratha received some well-deserved recognition.

The 2019 Futureclubs Community Sports Awards were held at the Karratha Leisurplex, with this year’s awards attracting a record 77 nominations.

The night kicked off with a Q&A between MC Tony Weir and rugby superstar Wendell Sailor, who had the crowd entertained with his dance moves and rendition of George Ezra’s Budapest.

City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the awards were an opportunity to showcase the talent and dedication of the thriving local sporting scene.

“These awards recognise local athletes’ sporting prowess and the commitment of the many volunteers who are involved with more than 110 sporting groups across the City of Karratha,” he said.

The main award of the night, Sporting Group of the Year, went to the Wickham Wolves Football Club for their historic efforts in wining the North Pilbara Football League reserves and league grand finals for the first time.

“Their wins were the result of hard work and good governance by committee members, players, coaches and supporters,” Mr Long said.

“The Wickham Wolves have developed an inclusive culture within the club for senior and junior players from Wickham, Point Samson and Roebourne.”

Wickham Wolves secretary Craig Egberts said topping off their historic year with this award was fantastic.

“To get a bit of recognition from Karratha itself was great,” he said.

“Being out at Wickham we are a little bit forgotten about, so this made our year even more special.”

Other key award winners included Volunteer of the Year Leanne Mott for her effort towards the resurgence and success of the Nor West Jockey Club’s 2019 racing season and Coach of the Year Marcel Sladen for securing the Karratha Districts Junior Soccer Association’s first Division A win at Country Week in October.

Janet Nicholson from Karratha Gymnastics Club, Shane Harris from Karratha Kats Football and Sporting Club and Andrew Carpenter from Nickol Bay Sports Fishing Club were recognised for more than 20 years’ consecutive service to community sport.

Winners of the 2019 Futureclubs Community Sports Awards:

NOVO Resources Junior Sportswoman: Madilyn Strange

NOVO Resources Junior Sportsman: Lawson Humphries

Rio Tinto Sportswoman: Chelsea Slater

Pilbara Ports Authority Sportsman: Daniel Farmer Jr

Sport and Recreation WA Official: David King

Red FM/Spirit Radio Coach: Marcel Sladen

CITIC Pacific Volunteer: Leanne Mott

City of Karratha Sporting Group: Wickham Wolves Football Club

City of Karratha Long Service Awards: Andrew Carpenter, Janet Nicholson and Shane Harris