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

RELATED: Jackson Gwynne reflects on Country Championships

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