THE first round of nominations in the 2014 Leader Sportstar Awards have been announced, recognising the achievements of the sporting talent in St George and Sutherland Shire.
The time-honoured awards provide the chance for individuals and teams to be recognised for their achievements.
They include:
■ Glasgow Commonwealth Games steeplechaser, James Nipperess, 23, of Penshurst, (senior category);
■ Runner Imogen Stewart, 8, of Sylvania, who recently broke the world record for the 800 metres and 1500 metres events (junior category);
■ St George District Netball Association's State League team for winning the Netball NSW title for the first time, (senior team category);
■ Samantha Lantanis, of Lugarno, for multiple gold medal winning success at the national masters athletics titles (masters category);
■ Swimmer Reagan Wickens, who will represent Australia at the Pan Pacific Games in the USA next month (athletes with a disability category).
■ Cronulla women's under-18s football team for winning the Football NSW State Cup for the first time (senior team category);
■ North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club's multiple Australian title winning rescue and resuscitation under-19s team (local sports club category);
■ Heathcote High School's mountain bike riding team for being crowned Australian champions at the 2014 titles (schools team category).
There were a plethora of other candidates nominated for award categories and their credentials will be published in future editions.
The awards are judged on well-established criteria, based on performances ranging from the local level to international standard.
Criteria for major senior or junior sportstar awards:
A sportsperson is judged on their results for the 2014 calendar year at (in order): world, Olympic, Commonwealth, national and state level. In other words, the highest achievement, like becoming world champion, has more significance with judges than being nominated several times for lesser results.
For the annual awards, a panel of judges also awards runner-up and encouragement awards, as well as awards for teams, school teams, coaches and companies helping sport, based on merit.
Those eligible for the annual awards must have been selected as a category finalist during the year (except for companies). The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence can be entered into.
Please include nominee's name, age, address, photograph (where possible) and daytime phone number.
Award Categories are: Senior Sportstar of the Year; Junior Sportstar of the Year; Athletes with a Disability; Masters, Junior Team, All Schools Team, Senior Team, and Local Sports Club.
