THE Westport Club’s sixth annual sports awards were held on Friday, attended by about100 representatives from local sporting clubs.
Guest speaker Pat Farmer inspired athletes in the room, especially the younger ones, with his story of his pole-to-pole adventure in 2011.
He described the strength and commitment to walk hundreds of kilometres in -40-degree temperatures with 100km winds pulling a sleigh that weighed more than twice his own weight. Pat trained for two years for his pole run which took 10 months to complete.
A humble man, Pat said he was no better than anyone else and was honoured to be in a room with like-minded people, committed and passionate about their sport.
Westport Club community co-ordinator Jenny Edmunds described Pat’s attendance as truly inspirational.
“Pat is an international superstar and we were very honoured he accepted our invitation to attend the awards,” she said.
“Each time a nominee came up on stage Pat took the time to say something special to each of them. I think everyone came away winners from just being in this man’s presence for the evening.”
A record number of nominations were received for the awards, with the atmosphere tense with excitement as they were announced.
The winners included:
* Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Jessica Davis (Port Saints Soccer Club)
* Senior Sportsperson of the Year – John Hrabak (Westport Men’s Bowling Club)
* Sports Volunteer of the Year – Kim Garland (Port Saints Netball Club)
* Team of the Year – Westport Men’s Bowling Club “Blue Division Team”
* Club/Association of the Year – Hastings River District Junior Cricket Association
* Spirit of Sport Award – Port Macquarie Pirates Rugby Union Club
