SPORTS editor Geoff Newling and The Northern Daily Leader have been rewarded for their extensive coverage of bowls around the district.
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Newling picked up the award for Best Media Coverage in NSW at the recent 2013 NSW Players Awards night.
He is a second-time recipient of this award after also scooping the state in 2008.
Newling could not attend the awards night in January due to work commitments so was given the award in a small ceremony at the South Tamworth Bowling Club yesterday.
Zone 3 State Councillor Greg Wilkins and Central North District Bowling Association (CNDBA) president Rob Key were on hand to deliver the honour.
Newling and The Leader were nominated by CNDBA’s Phil Johnson and Gordon Cheney after a very successful year of bowls for the region.
Last year was the first time the CNDBA Bowler of The Year was run after an almost ten-year hiatus and the committee thanked Newling for his support and coverage of that competition.
“Geoff runs many stories for us over the year and not just big events and carnivals,” Johnson said.
“They cover week to week events, results from all around, charity and fundraising events and have really got behind the Bowler of the Year award.”
“We nominated him for all the work and effort that he puts in to the sport and to show our appreciation.”
The Leader followed the Bowler of the Year award right through the season, posting results and a running table on a week to week basis.
A humbled Newling said that the work was fun and easy with the help of the likes of Johnson, Cheney and Key.
“It is nice to be recognised and these guys are more than helpful through the year,” Newling said.
“It is important to give all sports a good run in the paper and not just focus on mainstream ones.”
South Tamworth bowler Chris Herden picked up the revamped Bowler of The Year Award last season and is hoping to top that with a call up to the state side this year.
This year’s competition has already kicked off, with the State Fours played at Willow Tree last weekend the first event where players can pick up points.
Players pick up points at nominated events right through the year, before the winner is announced in December.
This year the CNDBA has made a website dedicated to the competition that will hold draws and results, player rankings and all other
information.
The website is linked to the CNDBA website and will be updated on a regular basis.
The Leader will also once again be following local, regional, and state events very closely, and will also carry a Bowler of the Year table through the year.
The bowls page runs in the paper every Tuesday, with other stories and columns throughout the week.
“Geoff and The Leader have been long-time supporters of bowls in the region and this award is suitably fitting for the work and commitment that goes in to it every week,” Johnson said.
