Mid West Sports Awards 2024: Finalists for junior and senior sports star as well as official of the year

Mid West sports’ night of night is just around the corner, with the next batch of “game changers” set to be rewarded. Three categories which fit the mould of this year’s Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards theme of game changers are junior and senior sports star of the year, and official of the year. The awards, hosted by the Mid West Sports Foundation, recognise the cream of the crop, the best of the up-and-coming talent, and those who keep the sports in check. Six worthy contenders are the finalists for junior sports star of the year — Max Winton (soccer), Millie Gerreyn (basketball, netball), Max De San Miguel (basketball), Amaney Warren (BMX racing), Giuliana Sansone (soccer) and Taylah Dean (athletics). Eight finalists are vying for the senior sports star crown for 2024 — Taryn Purcell (softball, T-ball), Olivia Bidwell (cricket, soccer, AFL), Jayden Schofield (AFL), Andie Payne (AFL), Kim Schofield (AFL), Zeke Forrester (soccer), Ebony Wheatland (soccer), and Jy Thurstun (softball). Up for official of the year are Sue Douglas (netball) and Dylan Kirkpatrick (basketball). In the junior stakes, Winton shone brightly on the soccer field this year, winning three premierships for United FC’s under-17’s, under-17’s country week team and men’s A grade in 2024. Winton also walked away with the title of reserves’ goalkeeper of the year. Gerreyn was an absolute star on the courts this season in basketball and netball. She was a member of the under-18 WA Country Basketball team, WA Netball under-17 State squad, and WA’s Netball under-17 West Coast Fever Futures program. Gerreyn finished the season with a full trophy cabinet, walking away with multiple accolades during her season. De San Miguel was another basketballer who impressed this season. He was selected as vice-captain for the under-16 WA country men at the national championships. He averaged close to 16 points per game, placing him in the top 10 in the competition. Warren starred in BMX racing this season as the youngest rider, at only 16, in the 17-24 women’s division. This didn’t stop her holding her own against older competitors, coming first in the women’s cruiser division at the State series this year. Another junior standout on the soccer field is Sansone, who was selected in the Geraldton Soccer Association’s under-14 girls’ country week team earlier this year, when she walked away with the fairest-and-best award. Dean is an athletic star on the rise, representing the State at the national all-schools meet, where she was crowned a State silver medallist in the 100m hurdles. The senior sports star contenders all went above and beyond in their sporting codes. Purcell excelled on the softball pitch, winning the women’s A-grade grand final and receiving the MVP award for that match. She also walked away with the A-grade MVP for Midwest Marlins. Bidwell is an overachiever in the sporting arena, nominated for her talent in cricket, football and soccer. For Wanderers Cricket Club, Bidwell was the women’s senior cricketer of the year and Wanderers’ women’s premiership captain. For Towns Football Club, she was the women’s best and fairest and a premiership player. For La Fiamma, she was leading goal scorer for the women’s team with 35 goals, best and fairest, and also won a premiership. Jayden Schofield moved from Brigades Football Club to Chapman Valley this season, taking up the role as player-head coach, where he led the Royals to their first premiership in 32 years. Schofield also won the club’s fairest-and-best award. Andie Payne from Chapman Valley Football Club was named the women’s fairest and best this year, sharing the honour with Towns’ Gemma Dix. The award highlighted her consistent excellence in performance, leadership, and her unwavering commitment to the club’s success and growth. Kim Schofield moved to Chapman Valley to help his brother Jayden in the coaching ranks for the club, leading them to their first flag in 32 years. He finished fourth in the club’s best and fairest and was named player of the tournament when the Great Northern Football League claimed the division two country championship. Forrester from Chapman Athletic Soccer Club was a superstar on the soccer field, winning the men’s league George Sekuloff Medal, men’s league leading goal scorer, under-17s runner up fairest-and-best, and team captain. Wheatland, also from Chapman Athletic Soccer Club, was runner-up in the women’s league best-and-fairest and won the club’s top award. Thurstun was a star for Suiside Softball’s A-grade men’s team, consistently providing his team with an edge against their opponents, as well as being selected for the under-23 men’s championship in Melbourne. Official of the year nominees made a big difference in helping keep their sports thriving at a community level. Douglas was head bench official for the 2024 senior one netball grand final and officiated 24 WA league games this year, with her total game tally reaching 250. Douglas also officiated five Suncorp Netball League games. Kirkpatrick trained up to become a basketball umpire and found himself umpiring men’s and women’s senior one games on a weekly basis. His highlights include umpiring D League WABL games on Saturdays before Geraldton Buccaneers games. Narissa Valenti also was a nominee for the Official of the Year, being recognised for her tireless work officiating in netball in the Mid West. Winners of the 52nd annual Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards will be announced on Saturday, November 30. NEXT EDITION: We showcase the finalists for sports personality and administrator of the year.