Published 17 April 2023, updated 28 April 2023
A local 15-year-old dominating mountain bike trails at a State and National level has been named the latest Myles Junior Sports Star of the Year.
Burekup’s Connor Wright received the top honour at the inaugural Bunbury Geographe Sports Awards ceremony on Friday night.
About 130 people packed out Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre for the event hosted by Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Miguel with winners across all categories – including the renowned AJ (Tood) Buswell Sports Star of the Year – announced.
Hailing from Margaret River, World Surf League Men’s Championship Tour surfer Jack Robinson was named the recipient of the AJ (Tood) Buswell award.
Athletes, officials, volunteers and sporting clubs and events that contribute to the Bunbury Geographe region were recognised both as finalists and winners during the successful, new-look awards event.
Other winners included:
Coach of the Year: Tennille Panuccio, (basketball and netball coach)
Para-Athlete of the Year: Brad Barclay (volleyball)
Official of the Year: Julia Blandford (Bunbury Swimming Club)
Team of the Year: Bunbury Districts Cricket Association Men’s Representative Team
Sporting Event of the Year: 2022 SLSWA Country Club Carnival (Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club)
Volunteer Service to Sport: Jason Reid (cricket, senior and junior AFL and basketball)
This year’s awards were the first time the long-standing AJ (Tood) Buswell Sports Star and Myles Junior Sport Star of the year awards came together for the one ceremony.
The awards are proudly supported by South Western Times, Optus, Outdoor World, Last Slice, shires of Dardanup, Donnybrook Balingup and Harvey, Bunbury MLA Don Punch with MLC Jackie Jarvis and MLC Sally Talbot, and the City of Bunbury.