Menai District Sports Awards look different as winners were honoured in online ceremony

Normally hosted by Club Central Menai, a video presentation was streamed over social media on Saturday, November 21, to acknowledge the local sporting achievements in the Menai District.

"This year has thrown so many challenges at our sporting clubs, most of whom are volunteer committees," said Club Central President and awards judge Brian Cloney.

"We wanted to recognise these efforts and ensure that some of the amazing achievements of our local sporting star didn't go unrecognised."

Awards were presented across 11 categories ranging from junior and rookie sports stars, senior individuals and teams, as well as hard working club representatives and volunteers.

Abbie Taddeo from Illawong Athletics Club was crowned the 2020 Sports Star of the Year at the 16th annual event and Aquinas Colts Junior Rugby League took home Sporting Club of the Year, with both winners awarded $1000 in prize money by the Menai District Sports Association.

The winners were:

Junior Male Sports Star of the Year - Max DeCelis from Bangor Barden Ridge Cricket Club (Sutherland Shire Cricket Association's top run scorer with 674 runs on the season).

Junior Female Sports Star of the Year - Charlotte Wells from Jenko Sutherland Shire Pony Club.

Male Rookie Sports Person of the Year - Hunter Olney from Illawong Little Athletics Club.

Female Rookie Sports Person of the Year - Madison Habkouk from Menai Dragons Basketball Club.

Junior Male Sporting Team of the Year - Under 14 Boys Gold Team from the Aquinas Colt (undefeated season)

Junior Female Sporting Team of the Year, W14C team from Bangor Football Club (undefeated season)

Senior Male Sporting Team of the Year - Under 21B team Bonnet Bay Football Club

Senior Female Sporting Team of the Year - W18C/1s from Menai Hawks Football Club (undefeated premiers)

Sporting Club of the Year for 2020 - Aquinas Colts Junior Rugby League (awarded $1000 prize money by Menai District Sports Association)

Sporting Club Person of the Year - Peter Burgess, President of Bonnet Bay Football Club.

Sports Star of the Year - Abbie Taddeo from Illawong Athletics Club (awarded $1000 in prize money)

"Although we would much prefer to be able to host everyone in person and give each nominee the recognition they deserve," said Mr Cloney. "We would like to congratulate all nominees, finalists, runners up and winners in the 2020 Menai Districts Sports Awards.

"I would also like to add my thanks my fellow judges, Christine Newman, Allan Holmes and Kerry Fordham for giving their time to help recognise and encourage local sport.

"We are hopeful that we can return to hosting our gala awards dinner once again in 2021."

To view the full awards presentation visit clubcentralmenai.com.au/menai-district-sports-awards/.