Hockey star Keith Ellis and golfing prodigy Isaac Riches claimed the top accolades at Thursday night’s New England Sports Awards.
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Following a year in which he helped the Australian over-75s triumph at the Masters Hockey World Cup and won gold at the National Championships with NSW, Ellis was named the 2AD New England Trophies Senior Sports Star for 2018.
He beat out a talented field of finalists that included mountain biker Holly Harris and athletics gun Jay Stone, who shared the accolade with Dennis Carson last year, and was presented with his award by fellow hockey star and special guest – Hockeyroo Georgina Morgan.
After only donning the green and gold for the first time in his late 30’s Ellis has represented Australia on around 180 occasions, and worn the blue of his state as many if not more times.
Riches is regarded as one of the best in the world for his age and won the FM 100.3 New England Toyota Junior Sports Star of the year.
Among his highlights were the World Junior titles, where, competing against golfers in many instances older than him, the six-year old shot five-under for the tournament and was placed.
The best local achievement was Billy Youman, who in one game of rugby league scored 52 points, while cricket star Jackson Gywnne picked up the regional junior achievement award.
The Division 1 State Championship-winning Hockey New England under 18 boy’s indoor squad were named the junior team of the year while lawn bowlers Fred Cameron and Kyle Goodwin took out the senior team award after winning the State Presidents pairs title.
Goodwin’s success in his local Walcha championships where he won the singles, pairs, triples and fours saw him also take home the best local senior achievement.
For winning his division in the gruelling Grafton to Inverell Cycling Classic, David Munday was recognised as the best regional achiever.
AWARD WINNERS
The Armidale Regional Sports Council Newcastle Permanent Contribution to sport awards 2018
Gaye Sheenan for North West New England Special Olympics has given over 13 years of service
Sophie Hansen for Armidale District Netball, umpires, coaches, is a leader of their youth committee and does a lot of their social media posts
Jenny McFayden for Rugby League Given over 13 years service to YCW and the Armidale Rams rugby league
John Schuman for Gymnastics, Golf, Hockey and Snooker over 36 years service for all these sports and many more
Junior teams
The Armidale Regional Sports Council best Local Team achievement award 2018
The TAS number one division 2 undefeated premiers in Netball
The Armidale Regional Sports Council best Regional Team achievement Award 2018
The Duval High School under 14 Futsal Soccer Squad, Regional champions
The Armidale Regional Sports Council best State Team achievement Award 2018
The Ben Venue Girls Hockey PSSA squad Joint State Champions
The Armidale Regional Sports Council Overall Junior team for 2018
The Hockey New England under 18 Boy’s Indoor Hockey squad, Division one State Champions
Players includes Jake and Cody McCann, Sterling George, Darby Chalmers, Sam Wright and Nathan Czinner their coach was Paul Eichorn
Senior Teams
The Armidale Regional Sports Council best Local Team Achievement award 2018
The City Mens first grade hockey squad 2018 premiers
The Armidale Regional Sports Council best Regional Team Achievement Award 2018
The Uralla Women’s League Tag squad, Group 19 Rugby League Second Division Premiers
The Armidale Regional Sports Council best State Team Achievement award 2018
The Hockey New England over 45 men’s Masters squad, Division two State champions
The Armidale Regional Sports Council best Overall Senior team Award for 2018
The Pairs Lawn Bowls Fred Cameron and Kyle Goodwin, winners of State Presidents Lawn Bowls Pairs Title
Junior Individual
FM 100.3 New England Toyota best local Junior Achievement for 2018
Billy Youman for Rugby League scored 52 points in one game of rugby league, including 17 out of 18 goals
FM 100.3 New England Toyota best regional Junior Achievement for 2018
Jackson Gwynne for Cricket selected in the under 19 NSW Country squad, also in the Central North Opens squads for the NSW Country titles held in Inverell in November
FM 100.3 New England Toyota Junior sports stars finalists for 2018
Nathan Czinner for Hockey
Megan Frost for Futsal Soccer
William Wood for Horse Sports
Hayley Whitehill for Dancing
Harrison Miller for Archery
Isaac Riches for Golf
Michael Harris for Mountain Bikes
BJ Cameron for Cricket
Josh Dawson for Shooting
Olivia Joyce for Netball
Hayley Lennon for Hockey
The 2018 FM 100.3 New England Toyota Junior Sports Star of the Year – Isaac Riches
Senior Individual
2AD New England Trophies best local Senior Achievement for 2108
Kyle Goodwin for Lawn Bowls won for the very first time at the Walcha Bowling Club, all four majors, singles, pairs, triples and fours
2AD New England Trophies best Regional Senior Achievement for 2018
David Munday for Cycling won his division in the gruelling Grafton to Inverell Cycling Classic
2AD New England Trophies Senior Sports Star finalist for 2018
Brian Lockyer for Lawn Bowls
David Eldridge for Brazilian Jui Jutsu
Holly Harris for Mountain Bikes
David Harris for Mountain Bikes
Sue Ellen Simpson for Shooting
Roberta Thompson for Athletics and Rowing
Cyndy Slade for Hockey
Jay Stone for Athletics
Keith Ellis for Hockey
The 2AD New England Trophies Senior Sports Star for 2018 – Keith Ellis