Strong field of talent in the running for Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards

A solid array of local sporting talent is in the running for the Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards.

Mid West Sports Federation chair Mike Bowley said with the awards spanning a two-year period for their 49th edition after COVID-19 put paid to last year’s event, there was plenty of sporting ability represented in the nominations.

“There’s some talent in there for sure,” Bowley said.

“The quality looks to be the same sort of standard we’ve had other years, taking into account there’s been that disruption to national and State competitions.

“Through the winter season we’ve been getting back to normality and, hopefully, it will be back to normal next year where participation at State and national competitions is open again.

“That’s where our people shine.”

Sponsors Crothers Construction will hand out the awards for both junior and senior winners this year.

In the Junior sports star category, Brigades and East Fremantle footballer Jed Hagan will be in the running for his third award in a row.

He will be up against action sports stars Patrick Smyth, a kiteboarder; and mountain biker Riley Micono. Softballer Caitlin Mundy, athletics stars Christi Bestry and Nevaeh Hill, sailor Jack Preston, netballer Libby Shuttlewood, soccer player Matt Greenlees, and basketballer Tom Dobson are all also in the running.

Local footy figure Sam Harris is up for the ATLAS sports star of the year gong. In the senior category, soccer players Paul “Johnno” Johnson and Olivia Bidwell come up against netballer Hannah Trusso, cricketers Jai Russell and Janelle Phillips, and cyclist Marissa Drummond.

Soccer officials Tanya Amazzini and Emma Streich, netball’s Charlotte Van Jaarsveldt, and cricket guru Gerard Marquis are nominated for administrator of the year, with Marquis also up for the Brian “Putter” Smith sports personality of the year gong.

Soccer coach Frank DeLuca, softball coach Rob Mundy, and footy coach Stu Gerreyn have all been rewarded for their efforts on the training pitch with nominations for coach of the year.

In what is sure to get some tribal passions racing, Geraldton Athletics Centre and softball club Suiside Fastpitch Club are up against each other for club of the year.

It’s a good year for two associations that sit side by side in Wonthella — netball’s Elizabeth White and Sue Douglas and basketball’s Jarrod Purcher are all up for official of the year.

The team of the year nominations are also interesting.

Three netball teams — the Aztecs Senior 1 side, and the Pumas Blue Junior 1 and Pumas Junior 6 teams — are up for the award.