MOUNTAIN bike star Holly Harris and veteran hockey player Cyndy Slade were crowned as Armidale’s sport stars last Thursday.
More than 100 people gathered at the Ex-Services Club to recognise the city’s top achievers on the sporting fields and tracks in 2013.
Armidale Sports Council president Steve McMillan said he had been involved in the awards since they began in 14 years and that this year’s crop of nominees was one of the best.
“The winners of these awards would not be out of place at a state awards ceremony,” he said.
The guest speaker was Matildas and Sydney FC footballer Danielle Brogan, who spoke about her rise to the top level.
“I feel quite fortunate to have been able to travel the world since I was 16 years old,” she said.
“Female athletes are not put in the same spotlight as the men are, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Brogan shook the hands of Harris and Slade as they were presented with their gongs.
Teenager Harris enjoyed a stellar year on the bike.
She won the Australian under-19 mountain bike title, represented her country in Europe and South Africa and won the under-19 world women’s enduro title in Canberra.
Slade will represent Australia in the over-50 women’s hockey world cup in The Netherlands next year.
It will cap a terrific 2013, where she helped New England’s open women’s team win the state title and the NSW women’s over-45 team win the national title.
Both were chuffed to win their awards.
Other winners on the night were:
Contribution to sport award: John Meridith (rugby union), Kristy Brundson (Special Olympics), Justin Urquhart (junior rugby league) and Yvonne and Nick Rice (rodeo).
Junior local team: Armidale City under-16 indoor hockey.
Junior regional team: Armidale under-12 cricket and Duval High under-16 futsal.
Junior state team: Ben Venue girls hockey.
Junior overall team: North West Level 4 gymnastics.
Senior local team: Impies Red netball.
Senior regional team: New England Nomads AFL.
Senior state team: New England open women’s hockey.
Senior overall team: New England over-40 women’s hockey.
