Top athletes recognised in Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Onslow and Pannawonica for Shire of Ashburton Sports Awards

Ashburton’s best and brightest sporting stars were celebrated at four awards ceremonies across the region this month. The Active Ashburton Sports awards took place across Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Onslow and Pannawonica with each of the towns top athletes and clubs being recognised. The evenings were hosted by West Coast Eagles stars Brad Sheppard and Andrew Gaff. The Tom Price awards night held on November 12 saw the Tom Price Steelers Softball club named sporting group of the year, while Marama Rawiri was awarded sportsperson of the year. Junior sportsperson of the year went to Maya Walsh and Tracey Rogers was recognised as club volunteer of the year. Roger Wright was awarded Excellence in leadership and in the final award of the evening Moya Pirini was awarded the service to sport. Meanwhile in Pannawonica the Pannawonica Panthers too out the sporting club award and Adam Finn was named sportsperson of the year. Junior Sportsperson of the year was awarded to Ayden Stephens with both Frank Rika and Gerald Fitzgerald being recognised for the service to sport category. In Paraburdoo the Paraburdoo Amateur Swimming club received the top gong while sportsperson of the year went to Hayley McIlroy and junior sportsperson was awarded to Isys Taniora. And in the Onslow awards night Bryce McLean was named the top junior athlete and the Occys Swim Club was deemed sportsclub of the year. Shire president Kerry White said the winners were chosen for their hard work in the sporting community. “The Shire of Ashburton is lucky to have an array of dedicated community members who participate, volunteer, support and take part in our sporting events and the Active Ashburton Sports Awards are a great opportunity to recognise those efforts,” she said.