(Cricket, hockey)

Litchfield beat out a bumper group of nominees that included reigning champion Jason Belmonte, arguably the best tenpin bowler in the world, and her name was announced as the 2018 winner to raucous applause at Orange Civic Theatre on Wednesday night.

The crowd's celebration came for a simple reason, despite the other nominees' impressive 2018 resumes Litchfield was still a cut above.

The 16-year-old was crowned following her stunning efforts in both cricket and hockey, particularly the former.

Outside her continued performance for Kinross, Orange and Mitchell Cricket Council she also vice captained NSW/ACT's under-15 side to a gold medal at the national championships, she was the leading run-scorer in that carnival too.

She was named in a couple of other NSW sides too, and then picked in the Cricket Australia invitational side to compete at the under-19 national championships in January this year too.

On to hockey.

Litchfield captained NSW's under-15 side to national championship gold, played in the NSW Combined Independent Schools under-16 and under-18 sides, and made the NSW All Schools side in the latter age group too.

"I couldn't believe it (when I won)," Litchfield laughed.

"I've been nominated for the junior award before but never won, I definitely wasn't expecting this. I wasn't expecting to be nominated.

"It's really exciting to win, I did have a pretty big year. The highlight was definitely winning both national championships, in cricket and hockey."

Although the under-19 cricket tournament came after the deadline for the 2018 awards, she impressed. She was the leading run-scorer there too, despite being 15 at the time, and was named in the Australian under-19 side to tour New Zealand as a result.

Since then she's been named in the NSW Breakers squad for season 2019-2020 too.

"Just being around players like Alyssa Healy is incredible. I'm not expecting to play, not being 16, but it'll be great experience and I can't wait," Litchfield said.

"I've definitely chosen cricket now because it looks like it's more of a career option. If you'd asked me that 12 months ago I wouldn't have known, but it's cricket. I'll keep playing hockey for fitness and fun though."

EVA REITH-SNARE

(Hockey, softball)

Like Litchfield, Reith-Snare beat out an impressive group of nominees including the likes of Francesca Chitukudza (swimming), Pip Mannix (hockey) and Dallas George (martial arts) and her maiden gong is set to lead into a massive time in the 17-year-old's career.

Outside her efforts with Orange she was picked in a number of state field and indoor hockey sides across multiple age groups and pathway channels and was picked in the NSW Combined High Schools softball side too.

She won gold at the national championships with NSW's under-18 side and was named player in the final in that tournament as well, and earned a nod in the Futuroos and Australian Youth Olympics squad too.

In short she had a gigantic year and now, after winning a gig with the NSW Institute of Sport, she's set for a move to Sydney following her Higher School Certificate this year, to chase the dream.

"They've been really great about it too, because I'm sitting my HSC this year they've said I can just head down when I've got the chance," Reith-Snare said in her acceptance speech, with her touted move to the city set for 2020.

"I definitely didn't expect it, I couldn't believe it when I won. Honestly my first thought was 'oh no, now I have to get up and speak to [MC Michael Croke]," she added after the ceremony, with a laugh.

"The highlight of 2018 I think was the Futuroos camp, and the national championship win."

PETE AND DEAN BRUS

(Orange Pistol Club)

The world-record holding duo won this award alongside Dave Oates in 2015 as well and while that's a gong that takes pride of place in the Brus household, Dean admitted the 2018 crown is a little more special considering it's a father-son win alongside his young bloke Pete.

The Brus boys claimed last year's award after another simply ridiculous year as a WA1500 duo, most notably taking out the European International Pistol Championships' Club Revolver Teams title in Sweden, setting a new world record in the process.

They finished second in the Club Pistol Teams section as well, along with winning all 10 available crowns at the state championship and shooting new records in every single one. Competing on all five of NSW's teams at the national championships, they claimed three gold medals and two silver medals there as well.

"It's very pleasing, we've won it before of course but this is the first time it's been a father and son duo and particularly considering it's with a new world record, it's pretty significant for us," Dean said.

"It is good yeah, to do alongside dad," Pete added.

The award comes at a crucial time in their preparation for this year's world championship, which the duo will have the privilege of shooting in on home soil.

They'll join forces again in the International Club Teams sections at Bowral, while Pete will be a part of the Australian revolver and pistol teams.

"We're the hunted now, so we've got to back up come September," Dean said.

"Rugby's actually getting in the way of preparation a little bit at the moment to be honest," Pete, who plays for Orange Emus, laughed.

"But it'll start picking up a lot more now in the lead-up, I'm really looking forward to shooting in the worlds on home soil."

"I'd just love one world championship and honestly I'd like to win one of mine too. As much as we've done as a team, dad and I, I'd really love an individual one."

DAVE CUMMING

(Cricket)

Cumming, the departing Orange District Junior Cricket Association president, was quick to deflect any individual praise but there's no doubting how influential he's been across his stint as supremo, and last year in particular.

Along with continuing the growth of their annual Western NSW Junior Carnivals and their Primary Schools Grant, most notably the ODJCA was awarded the state and national A Sport for All Cricket Association of the Year awards.

But that's just an accolade, the amount of behind-the-scenes work Cumming did in 2018 is immeasurable and he was an obvious choice for the award, previously known as Sports Personality of the Year.

"It's not just me, it's the entire committee and every volunteer really. Every team has managers and scorers and that type of thing, it's a reward for all of them too," Cumming said.

Cumming has finished his stint as president now, with former Australian rep Jo Hunter taking over for season 2019-20.