NOMINATIONS are now open in the Sunrise Hastings Sports Awards 2025.
The collaborative effort between the Port Macquarie-Hastings Sporting Fund and the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise was launched on 15 August at the Port Macquarie Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC).
The awards celebrate the achievements of local athletes and the valued contribution of sporting volunteers.
Since their inception 26 years ago, the Sunrise Hastings Sports Awards have played a pivotal role in recognising and supporting the sporting endeavours of community members.
With $10,000 in prizes to be awarded, the presentation breakfast is a highlight of the community calendar, bringing people together from all age groups and covering a wide range of sports.
Sunrise Rotary President David Lane, acknowledged the significance of the awards during the launch.
“Sunrise Rotary started the Hastings Sports Awards to inspire our youth to engage in local sport by providing an opportunity to recognise the achievements of regional athletes and support them to achieve their sporting dreams,” he said.
“Sport brings us together as a community; it promotes not only physical and mental health but also creates social connections and friendships that can last a lifetime.
“The Sunrise Hastings Sports Awards celebrate the spirit, commitment, and diversity of sporting accomplishments in our community.”
Mr Lane encouraged community members to consider nominating a local athlete or volunteer, with nominations from a wide range of sports encouraged.
The nomination period covers achievements from 1 October 2024 to 17 October 2025.
Chair of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Sporting Fund Sub-Committee Cr Nik Lipovac also launched the Wayne Richards Sporting Scholarship, which is a $5000 prize to help with the costs associated with competing, travelling, accommodation, and the purchase of uniforms.
“It’s the 21st anniversary of the scholarship, which has been awarded to some truly extraordinary local athletes representing 14 different sports, including those who have achieved success at international level,” he said.
“[These include] lRyley Batt (wheelchair rugby), Lauren Kitchen (cycling), Luke Meier-Smith (mountain biking) and Skyla Lange (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)”.
To apply for the Wayne Richards Sporting Scholarship, visit pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Wayne-Richards-Scholarship.
The nine other awards managed by Sunrise Rotary are:
• Greenmeadows Health Centre Sportsperson of the Year
• AusSport Scoreboards Junior Sportsperson of the Year (primary school age)
• Donovan Oates Hannaford Junior Sportsperson of the Year (high school age)
• Flower Hotels Senior Sportsperson of the Year
• Patterson First National Real Estate Junior Team of the Year (18 years and under)
• Donovan Oates Hannaford Senior Team of the Year
• Laing + Simmons Port Macquarie Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
• Hasting Physio and Health Sporting Volunteer of the Year
• Regional Australia Bank – Excellence in Sporting Achievements (awarded at the judges’ discretion from nominees for other awards).
Nominations are open online at sunrise-rotary.org.au/sportsawards-4/ up to midnight on Friday 17 October.
Nominations across all individual award categories will be automatically entered into the Sportsperson of the Year award sponsored by Greenmeadows Health Centre.
This year the Sports Awards Presentation Breakfast will be held at 7am on Friday 7 November at Port Panthers and is proudly sponsored by Greenmeadows Health Centre and the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise.
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
