GOLDEN GIRLS: Jade Warrender (right) celebrates with childhood friend Rochelle Dennis. Photo: MICHELLE COOK 0803mcaward3
HOCKEYROO Jade Warrender said being inducted into the Orange Sporting Hall of Fame was an accolade she considered to be "top shelf".
The Orange hockey product was inducted into the Hall of Fame during the Orange Credit Union Sports Awards on Friday night.
The 20-year-old, who was also the guest speaker during the awards night, she she was honoured to join the list of some of Orange's greatest sports people.
"This one will definitely go on the top shelf and it's one I'll never forget," she said when she looked at her plaque.
Warrender, who is now based in Perth, was the guest speaker on the night and had the audience captivated while talking about her rise through the hockey ranks to the Australian women's national team.
She shed tears as she talked about suffering a serious knee injury earlier this year which ruled her out of the London Olympics.
Later in the night Warrender said speaking about her injury was tough.
"That was very challenging," she said.
"I was very nervous about how people would respond to my story. It was very confronting talking about the current situation I'm in. I feel a lot of people know the real story of what's happened now."
She was happy to be back in Orange and was impressed with the finalists for each category.
"To be invited back to a thing like this is really special," she said.
"To be recognised in the Hall of Fame is surreal. It's nice to come back and see all the talent coming through in all the sports."
