Intrigue as prize giving looms for sports stars

A degree of intrigue has parked itself over Geraldton as the 46th Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards draw closer.

The awards night, on Monday, December 4 at Queens Park Theatre from 7pm, will recognise athletes and officials in the region who have performed at an exceptionally high level and gone about their business in a classy and endearing manner.

Competition judges had a difficult task again in 2017, with all candidates across all categories worthy of the victory.

The Crothers Construction Senior Sports Star of the Year category looks impossible to call on paper, with many of the athletes not only successful in their nominated sport but also excelling at others.

Adrian Bartlett had a memorable season coaching football in 2017 and heads into Monday as a favourite for the Sport and Recreation WA Coach of the Year category, although Adrian Watson, Carlo Licastro and 2017 GNFL Colts premiership coach Steve Broadhurst also present compelling cases.

The Karara Mining Ltd Junior Sports Star of the Year field is stacked in terms of talent, with all of the 14 nominated athletes ending the season at the top of their respective sport.

Leading the pre-event favourites are Alex Ducas (basketball) Corey Taylor (BMX) and Jonathon Garlett (athletics), with Josh Carter (tennis) and Caitlin Mundy (hockey) also catching judges’ attention.

A new award, the Byland Fabrications Club of the Year, will be presented, along with others which recognise officials, personality, team success and inclusive sports.

From the lucky winners, an athlete will be crowned Sportspower MWAS Athlete of the Year, along with the Mid West Sports Federation inducting a sporting great into their hall of fame.