Annual Awards 2021

2021 Frank Smith Memorial Sportsperson of the Year

Kerrie Holder Rodeo – Barrel Racing

The achievements of Cootamundra cowgirl Kerrie Holder and her horse “Dually” in 2021 were exceptional.

Kerrie was named the 2021 Australian Barrel Racing Champion after an outstanding season of competition. Kerrie and her legend of a horse 'Dually' had a spectacular National Finals Rodeo (NFR) winning three out of the four rounds of the Equine FLAIR Australia sponsored Barrel Race. This ensured Kerrie won the NFR average title and was crowned the 2021 Australian Barrel Racing Champion.

One highlight was seeing the pair claimed top honours in the elite barrel racing competition at Buchanan Park Arena Mt Isa in Queensland - the southern hemisphere’s biggest rodeo. Kerrie has been a consistent competitor on the Australian rodeo circuit for many years and this win was a career highlight for the talented rider. In her final ride Kerrie and “Dually” stopped the clock in 17.328 seconds, a new record eclipsing the previous time of 17.366 seconds to win the prestigious event and put Cootamundra on the map.

Her horse is owned by her rodeo legend father Bob Holder and Kerrie’s riding skills at the highest level have come to the fore once again in a very competitive sport.

2021 Junior Sportsperson

Sam Graham and Ainslee Meale Australian Tag 20 representatives

Ainslee and Samantha were selected in the Australian Tag 20 under 17girl’s team that played test matches against New Zealand for the Anzac Cup in Goulburn over two days in April.

To get to this stage, the girls first represented the ACT Tag 20 team after former Cootamundra Bulldogs rugby league stalwart Michael Slater invited them to try out. The girls travelled to Melbourne for the Oceania Heritage Cup, playing six games against teams from Victoria, the Cook Islands and American Samoa. Following these games two excited Cootamundra girls were named in the national squad.

The planned test matches were then cancelled due to COVID-19 and the girls were bitterly disappointed but then after a 12 month wait the games went ahead at Goulburn. Ainslee and Samantha donned the green and gold and proudly represented their town and their country, coming away with a win over their Kiwi opponents and claiming the Anzac Cup. Tag20 is a game combining all the skills of both Rugby codes while eliminating tackling and is becoming quite popular.

2021 Rising Star Award

Cooper Dabin: NSW PSSA rugby league, Little Athletics State Champion and rugby union representative

Cooper Dabin has made outstanding achievements across multiple disciplines of sport in 2021. As with many athletes, Cooper's opportunities for further representation were hampered by COVID-19.

In Rugby League, Cooper was a key member of the Cootamundra Junior Rugby League U12's team, captain of the Group 9 Northern representative team and most notably being selected in the NSWPSSA Opens Rugby League team, where he was regarded by selectors as being in the top three players in the competition following this State carnival. Additionally, Cooper received the Riverina Medal for best player in the tournament.

In Rugby Union, Cooper played for the Cootamundra Bears U12's, again being a key player within the winning team and again finishing top points scorer for the age group. Cooper also represented Southern Island Rugby Union at the Southern States Championships, where the team won the tournament.

Cooper was also nominated as player of the tournament and was also selected in the Riverina Schools Rugby Union team.
Cooper was also successful in being selected in the Southern Sports Academy's U14 Rugby Union Squad.

At Athletics, Cooper has excelled within Discus and Shotput. Cooper has set multiple Little Athletics club, local, zone and regional records as well as school and school district records. Cooper's achievements led him to winning the NSW Little Athletics Championship in Discus, beating his competitors by 9m and finishing fifth in the state for shotput.

As a local aspiring 12-year-old athlete, Cooper’s dedication to refining his skills in all sporting disciplines has been outstanding, going above and beyond in his training efforts making him a rising star in three different sports.

2021 Team of the Year

Cootamundra Tricolours

The Cootamundra Tricolours claimed the 2021 Oilsplus South West Rugby Cup after winning the major semi-final against arch rivals Harden at Harden 22-21. All Central West Rugby competitions were then suspended due to Covid and the grand final was not played and the Central West Board declared that the Tricolours were the premiers as they were the first team to qualify for the grand final.

This meant the team had won two premierships in three years after their stunning 2019 title when they went through the season undefeated with consistent and outstanding team performances all season, culminating in a big win 55-12 over Harden in the Grand Final at Fisher Park. To win two premierships in three years is not easy. It takes a huge commitment from players, coaches, the club committee, sponsors and supporters.

At the same time the club has completed their club house, which is a great asset for both senior and junior rugby clubs.

2021 Junior Team of the Year

Cootamundra Cougars

Cootamundra Cougars (Amelia Hassett, Ruby Watterson and Alex Oliver) won the under 18s 3X3 Big Hustle NSW State Basketball Championship title, held at Moore Park in Sydney in February. They competed against teams from both metropolitan and country areas and defeated Port Macquarie 10-1 in the grand final after a nail biting 8-6 win over favourites North Sydney in the semi-final. The three girls have been playing together for four years and Alex and Amelia have represented NSW Country. A talented team, they are putting Cootamundra basketball on the map.

Amelia, Ruby and Alex after winning the Under 18 State 3X3 Hustle title.

As part of the Cougars team in the Waratah Junior Premier League they perform at a high level in each round of matches.

Several other talented juniors have done really well in the sport in recent times including Matthew Walsh, Hayden Penrith, Bailey Sawyer and James Kennedy which is great for the sport in the town.

 

2021 Local Sportsperson

Joel Pearson cricket and AFL

Joel scooped the pool at the Cootamundra District Cricket Association presentation awards. Playing for the Central Hotel, Joel received the Bennett Rudd Award after being the leading player with both bat and ball. He scored 197 runs at an average of 39.4 with the bat and then took 16 wickets at an average of 9.88, with his best figures being 5/14.

Joel won these awards despite several washouts and work commitments restricting the number of games he played in. In winter Joel co-captained the Coota Blues Australian Football team, finishing fourth in the best and fairest count and winning the Most Consistent player award. A top all round sportsman, Joel had a great year of local sport.

Finalists

Jordyn Ballard (Rugby League)

Jordyn cemented his place as one of the Cootamundra Bulldogs best players when he won the George Tooke Shield best and fairest award “The Gavin Miller Medal”. This was a reward for a lot of hard work both on and off the field. As captain/coach of the Bulldogs, he set the standard for the playing group and earned the respect of local and opposition players highlighting his rugby league prowess in an excellent season. He steered his team around the paddock each week and kept the score board attendant busy with his attacking play. Jordyn has been a talented player for many years and taking the step up to captain/coach the local football team seemed a natural progression for him.

He is seen as a great role model for all aspiring juniors in the Bulldogs rugby league club.

Phil Bird (AFL)

Phil collected his third best and fairest for the Coota Blues in 2021 after winning it in 2015 and 2019. He won the Nieuwendyk Trophy after finishing the season with 102 votes, 25 ahead of runner-up Blake Basham, which illustrates his dominant performances on the field week in week out. He joins an elite group of players to win the award three times. Only Stephen Chant, Warren Meale, Don Oliver and Danny Jaques have equalled this effort in the history of the club.

He has played with the Blues since 2012 and over the past decade, he has put in some very consistent performances and played 107 consecutive games from 2014-2020. Some highlights of Phil’s career have been winning a premiership in 2014, in 2019 he won the best player award for the Canberra’s AFL Division 3 competition, 2015 -2020 Captain of the Blues and co-captain in 2021 with Joel Pearson. He is a great mentor for the club’s younger playing group

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Jack Clancy (Pony Club)

Jack set himself the goal of competing in the Australian National Pony Club Championships and the Australian Interschool Secondary Championships with his horse Lyalls Merlin. He gained selection in the NSW Pony Club Senior Team (ages 13-25) but COVID intervened and many events were cancelled. However Jack was selected to represent the Australian National Pony Club team in under 14’s, finishing 6th out of 37 riders from Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, UK, NZ, USA, Canada and Ireland.

He also competed on-line in a British Dressage Championship and has been nominated for the Australian National Stock Horse Youth Dressage Champion in the 13-18 years division. This continues Jack’s impressive career in the saddle and his dedication in a demanding sport.

Pip Crawford (Pony Club)

Pip and her horse Stately Impression were selected for NSW Pony Club team that competed in the National Championships in a virtual dressage event (due to Covid). In the NSW Pony Club event a combined junior/senior novice dressage competition was held and Pip was placed third, eighth and twelfth in three events, finishing eighth overall out of 34 riders from throughout Australia.

The NSW team finished second overall. Pip was then also selected to represent the Victorian Interschool State Team in Novice Dressage, an event which was unfortunately cancelled. This means Pip has now represented two different States, NSW and Victoria in national

Alex Oliver (Basketball)

Alex represented NSW Country under 18 girls basketball team after many years of playing the sport at an elite level.

As well as her own achievements she was also a team member of Cootamundra Cougars 3X3 team that won the Big Hustle NSW State Basketball Championship in a stunning performance.

Alex has been a consistent high achiever in basketball for many years. Her ability is matched by her dedication as she travels far and wide to train and compete at a high level.

Selection in the State Country basketball team to compete at the National Championships is a great honour and hopefully will lead to bigger and better things in the sport.

Lexi Phillips (NSW Country and Riverina Academy of Sport cycling representative)

Lexie Phillips has continued her good form on the bike in 2021. She has competed in a number of events at both country and metropolitan cycling venues.

At the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games venue, the Dunc Gray Velodrome, Lexie competed in the Clarence St Cup and the NSW State elimination championships. It was also her first race in a velodrome racing on boards. Lexie came away with a GOLD MEDAL in the elimination championship and finished second in the wheel race.

Lexie competed in the NSW State Championships (time trial, scratch race and Derby) at Dubbo where she once again excelled. Lexie was selected in the Southern Sports Academy cycling squad after a number of impressive performances and this is another step towards Lexie gaining selection in the NSW State team.

This year Lexie has made that step and after the NSW Cycling State Championships at the Duncan Gray Velodrome in Sydney in February State selectors announced the NSW team that travelled to Brisbane in March and Lexie’s hard work and results were recognised with selection in the squad.

Cameron Stanley (Rugby)

Cameron won the Tricolours best and fairest after another top season. He has been a consistent and talented player for the club in every game and competes for every minute he is on the field. His skill and leadership is a huge boost to teammates. His try in the final minute of the major semi-final against Harden to secure his team a place in the grand final showed his skill and determination and demonstrated why he is the best forward running around in the Oilsplus South West Cup competition.

He represented the Central West Blue Bulls team that won the NSW Country Rugby Championship in 2021 held in Tamworth. This zone stretches from Dubbo in the west to Bathurst and from Cootamundra to Mudgee and for Cameron to be selected as number 7 in the run-on team shows his ability. This year he is an assistant coach at the Tricolours and will have a key role to play with the club in the upcoming season.

Other contenders were:

Sam Gash (Canberra Raiders under 16’s rugby league squad and AFL GWS Giants training squad), Cooper Emonson (Canberra Raiders under 16’s rugby league), Darcey O’Toole (Riverina under 16’s team), Matthew Walsh, Hayden Penrith, Bailey Sawyer, James Kennedy, (basketball representatives at various levels), Hugo Emery (cricket): PSSA rep cricket, Ashley Holder and Kirrilee Cameron (Wagga City Wanderers National Premier League team) and swimmers Thomas Peacey, Josh Harris, Samuel Manwaring and Sam Bassingthwaighte who qualified for the NSW Country Swimming Championship titles.

 

Max Rudd Trophy – Service to Sport

Justin Roberts

We are holding this awards ceremony at the newly constructed rugby clubhouse, which had been a long term project for the Tricolours as part of the establishment of two full sized fields and a “home” for the club.

Many people contributed to this project but without this person’s involvement and commitment to the club the finished product could have looked very different.

Justin Roberts, nicknamed “Rabbit” has been a major contributor to the rugby club both on and off the field.

As a player he was 100% committed every time he ran on to the field. His aggressive, no-nonsense play caused plenty of problems for the opposition team. He was often on the receiving end of the referee’s whistle for his love for the tough stuff. His enthusiasm rubbed off onto other players and the team benefitted greatly from his time playing for the club.

In his work off the field for the club he has been president, committeeman and the go-to man, spending countless hours doing the essential jobs to keep the club viable and successful.

Often coming up with bold ideas out of “left field” to complete a project like a club house was right up Justin’s alley.

Furniture secured from a demolished football stadium in Sydney, an oyster drive from the central coast, fund raisers to involve past players were all secured with his enthusiasm and determination.

Many meetings with Council and other people in the planning and building stages of the clubhouse saw him do plenty of kilometres from his farm at Dirnaseer.

Justin Roberts is the type of person every sporting club needs in its ranks, a great person and a huge contributor to the Cootamundra Rugby Club.

2021 Sports Administrator Award

Stephen Howse (Junior and Senior Rugby League)

Stephen Howse has made a significant contribution to sports administration in the town at both junior and senior rugby league levels.
With his father’s strong background in rugby league as one of Cootamundra’s best front rowers in the club’s history it is not surprising that Stephen took on various roles in the sport as his own children played the game.

Following his sons’ teams led to an active role in the Junior Bulldogs club and saw him elected President from 2011-2015.
During this time there were several major changes to the sport in terms of player and official rules and regulations putting extra pressure on clubs to adopt new procedures demanded by the administrators of the game.

At the same time expansion of the game with girls now involved in playing league tag, saw an increased workload for the club’s committee.

As President, Stephen led the club diligently and ensured the club would provide the necessary support for boys and girls to play junior football in the town as playing numbers increased, especially in league tag.

During his tenure, the Cootamundra Junior Bulldogs Club also continued to improve facilities at Nicholson Park which allows them to host many school carnivals and representative games.

Stephen then turned his focus to the senior club. He was a founding member of the Cootamundra Old Boys which is a valuable asset for the Bulldogs Club assisting the club with fundraising and keeping the Old Boys network alive.He became President of the Cootamundra Bulldogs in 2020 and is currently still in that role.

At this time the Club made the huge decision to leave Group 9 and play in the Canberra based George Tooke Shield. Stephen led the club through the initial transition period and even with the challenges of COVID that move has proved to be the right move for the Club.
Stephen Howse is a great administrator for rugby league in town.