City of Orange Touch Association administrator Tracee Livingstone was awarded the Administrator of the Year for the Hunter/Western NSW region and made the top six for NSW at the state Blues Awards night in Sydney last Saturday night.

And the Orange association was awarded Affiliate of the Year for the region and also qualified in the top six in NSW.

Secretary Joel Begnell said it was a reward for nearly 2500 local players, keen officials and organisers of the local competition.

“Definitely we are a very large association. We have 2000-2500 players and just under 100 teams,” Begnell said.

“The numbers have been gradually increasing, particularly with the juniors.”

He said the awards recognised the strong number of referees in Orange and the success of Orange players making representative teams at regional, state and national levels.

“Toby Westcott was named in the Australian under 18s team, Mandy Moore is a current representative of the NSW over 40s team and her son Ryan was picked in the NSW touch development under 18s team.”

The Orange season has just started and runs three nights a week until March – but because of the weather does not run in winter, unlike some other associations around the state.

“It’s (the award) pretty good considering we are up against clubs that run touch all year round,” he said.

He said it was the first time in his memory that the association had won the awards.

“Previously Tracee had received a volunteer of the year award to reward their dedication to the sport.”

Begnell said Livingstone organised the draws, gradings and more for the association.

“She covers all aspects of running the competition.”

Begnell said the association was now keen on forming corporate partnerships with local businesses to expand the community engagement.

And he said they were keen to improve their facilities at the Waratahs Sportsground.