Bingara’s sporting achievers recognised

January 10, 2017

After an absence of almost 20 years, Bingara Sporting Club’s reinstatement of the Bingara Sports Awards proved to be an outstanding
success.

Sports people of all ages, representing a variety of sports, were recognised at the awards, and were presented with trophies which were tracked down in cupboards after many years of not being awarded.

When the awards were run before 1997, they were run by a committee, overseen by the Bingara Shire Council.  Bingara Sporting Club President, Tim Cox, was delighted with the response from Bingara’s sports organisations, and the Sporting club is looking forward to holding the awards again next year.

At the awards ceremony in December Brooke McKinnon was awarded the 2016 Sportsperson of the Year Award and the following sporting achievers were also recognised:

Service to Sport Award went to Marilyn (Mashy) Dixon. Mash was nominated by the Bingara Bullets as “the Bullets number one supporter and volunteer. Mash has always been a passionate supporter of all things “Bingara” and an inspiration to many. She is always giving and never expecting anything in return”.

Senior Sportsperson of the Year went to Alex Abra. Alex was nominated by the Gwydir River Rats who he plays for and co-coaches. Alex received the 2016 Best and Fairest Award (all grades) for the New England Rugby Competition as voted by Referees. He acts as Joint Coach of Gwydir River Rats which is quite an achievement for such a young man. Alex has an outstanding attitude to Sport and a professional approach to competition and training.

Junior Sports Boy and Sports Girl Awards were won by outstanding all-rounders. Sam Perrin and Erica Dixon were the winners and both displayed a huge diversity in sporting abilities by shining in a number of sporting endeavours. Sam was nominated for swimming, athletics, rugby league and equestrian, whilst Erica showed her diversity being nominated for swimming, athletics, equestrian & dance.

Sub-junior Sports Boy of the year went to young horseman Luca McLachlan who won this section after having an outstanding year both in and out of the saddle. Luca is member of the NSW Sub-Junior Polocross team and he also competed at the NSW State PSSA Athletics Championships as a member of the Northwest 4 x 100 metre relay team. Luca was also a part of the successful Bingara Pony Club Junior Team who were this year’s winners at the Zone 8 Championships.