Celebration of talent and contribution to sports

The best athletes, coaches and volunteers in the Ashburton shire have been acknowledged at the Active Ashburton Sports Star Awards this month.

Two separate events were held as part of the awards, one in Paraburdoo on Saturday, November 12, and one in Tom Price the following week, with seven winners announced at each location.

Paraburdoo Amateur Swimming Club was the big winner at that town’s ceremony, collecting four prizes including for club of the year.

Club member Joanne Cunningham won coach of the year, Kellie Reader took home volunteer of the year and Maddison Baker was named junior sports star of the year.

Sportswoman and sportsman of the year were netballer Ursula Koni and football player Adam Gillespie, while Paraburdoo Teeball Club player Jahmela Jones won youth sports star of the year.

In Tom Price, the Tom Price Netball Association won club of the year and was recognised for 35 years of active participation. The Tom Price BMX Club had two wins, with Phil Kerrison winning coach of the year and Tobi Rushbrook taking home the junior sports star award.

The Crushers Cricket Club’s Craig Jones won sportsman of the year and Renea Bateman won the sportswoman of the year award for her involvement in both softball and netball.

The club volunteer of the year was Jody Goesch, while Jack Green won youth sports star of the year.

The awards were presented by the Shire of Ashburton and Rio Tinto through the Community Infrastructure and Services Partnership.

Shire president Kerry White said sport was a key part of community life in Ashburton.

“Sport plays such a significant role, not just in terms of health and wellbeing, but in developing friendships, which is essential to the social fabric of living in a remote regional town,” she said. “We have also had a number of athletes represent our towns in North West, State and national competitions, which is a great testament to our sporting clubs and the support they provide our communities.”