It won't be done conventionally but this year's Orange City Council Sports Awards are set to be broadcasted live to social media next week and features a 'wealth of talented' nominees spread across the athlete, volunteer and team categories.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sports and recreation committee chairman Jason Hamling says Orange is very lucky to have so many accomplished sportspeople nominated for the annual awards.
"Most of the people nominated have represented Australia," Hamling said.
"We've got a wealth of talent here at Orange and we're very proud.
"We like to showcase our sportspeople and this is one way of doing it."
A few names jump off the page when you look at the list of athletes nominated for the sportsperson of the year award but none catch the eye more than PBA sensation Jason Belmonte.
The 36-year-old was amid another dominant campaign in the USA when the COVID-19 wave forced him to return to Australia and according to Hamling, there's no one prouder to be from Orange than Belmo.
"What a great example for our town he is as a world number one bowler," he said.
"Tenpin bowling massive overseas and he always reminds people that he's from Orange."
Belmonte's a multi-sportsperson of the year award winner but to win in 2020, he'll need to pass established cricket/hockey star Phoebe Litchfield who's had a monstrous couple of years.
Hamling spoke about the 17-year-old's already immense reputation.
"She's gone through the ranks and to watch her and cheer for her on the big stage is great," he said. "She's another proud member of Orange and someone be get to barrack for when they're on television.
"Some of these people have become world champions... how good's that?"
While it hasn't been a permanent fixture in the annual awards ceremony, Hamling says the 'volunteers' category is here to stay and can't say enough about the vitality of those who pitch in for no more than a thanks.
"They're the ones there early in the morning and late in the afternoon," he said.
"Volunteers are always setting canteens, fields and courts."
"Without volunteers you don't have a club or a competition really. It's usually mums and dads sticking their hand and up doing it... we're all very proud of them.
"This will definitely be a category we keep around as we move forward."
Nominations:
Athlete: Ben Anderson (cycling), Michael Selmes (shooting), Mark Selmes (shooting), Dallas George (martial arts), Eva Reith-Snare (hockey), Collette Lyons (swimming), Phoebe Litchfield (cricket and hockey), Kaden Williams (rugby league), Peter Brus (pistol shooting), Jason Belmonte (tenpin bowling), Peter Selmes (shooting).
Team: Orange Public School netball team, Kinross Wolaroi women's coxed quad scull (rowing), Orange Thunder boy's youth league team (touch football).
Volunteer: Leo Presslaber (mountain biking), Scott Holmes (basketball), Kristy Parish (basketball), Dean Brus (pistol shooting), Joel Begnell (touch football).
The date and time for the awards is unconfirmed but is expected to be locked in on social media in the coming days.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS AND SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...