Tamworth Hockey Association have been recognised for their hosting of the Regional Challenge earlier this year, with the event nominated for a major award.
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The three-day hockey festival is a finalist in the NSW Sport Awards in the Event of the Year category.
The first time the THA has hosted the tournament, which is one of the flagship events on the Hockey NSW calendar, president Ross Briggs said he was "very proud" learning the news.
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"It's a great acknowledgement for the Tamworth hockey community, particularly all of our volunteers that come out time and time again to run these events," he said.
He added that it is their hard work that helps the association "keep growing the facilities". Without them committing their time, they wouldn't be able to stage the big events that provide such a valuable cash injection.
Drawing 1,000 players from across the state, and more than that double that again in spectators, it was one of the biggest tournaments the THA has hosted and one of the largest editions of the Challenge since it was introduced in 2016.
"From our perspective it was a great carnival, and a great event and a great test of our new facilities," Briggs said.
"And it ran well."
It is up against the GIO Oz Day 10K run by Wheelchair Sports, Water Polo's NSW State Festival, the Netball NSW National Reconciliation Week Netball celebration, the WSL World Championship Tour Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic and 2021 Your Local Club Academy Games.
The awards will be held at Parramatta's CommBank Stadium in January, and celebrate the achievements of NSW athletes, coaches, administrators and organisations across 12 categories.
The gala dinner will also see Mark Webber (motor racing), Mick Fanning (surfing), Naomi Flood (surf lifesaving and kayaking), Kerri Pottharst (beach volleyball), and Harry Williams (football) inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions, while Mark Ella (Rugby Union) will be elevated to Legend status.
Williams is the first Indigenous footballer to represent Australia at international level, and for a time called Tamworth home.
In the meantime the THA is preparing for the recommencement of it's Tadpoles program.
The popular program will start back up on Saturday December 4 from 9am and finish up on December 18 with a sausage sizzle and presentation of medals.
Later in the day on December 4, the THA will hold their presentation day from 2pm.
The 'fun family afternoon' will include an awards ceremony for all junior age groups and senior grades.
