Jacarna added to her extensive medal collection as a member of the NSW Under 18 women’s 4x400 metres relay team. She will be looking to better her personal best in the hope of qualifying for the 2012 World Junior Athletics Championships in Barcelona.

Matt registered a throw of 41.71 metres to finish third behind competitors from Queensland and Tasmania.

Jacarna continued her good form after the championships with a win in the under-17 400 metres at the NSW Little Athletics titles at Homebush.

Jaeden Ewing is another junior to figure in the March nominations. After just three years playing Rugby, the Pokolbin Reds player was selected in the Newcastle Hunter Junior Rugby Union Under 13 years representative team to play in the NSW Country Championships. The team, called the Wildfires, was selected form boys playing Rugby all over the Lower Hunter.

Jaeden was recently named in the Wildfires 2012 under-14 training squad.

The Miller sisters from Kurri, Kelsey and Rebecca, gained nomination for the efforts in the NSW Combined High Schools cricket trials.

They combined to put on a 151-run partnership. They were then selected in separate NSW CHS teams which would have put them up against other in the NSW All Schools Championships. The sisters attended Hunter Sports High.

The month also saw a top performance by Cessnock’s Sophie O’Brien who was selected in the Northern NSW Under-13 Soccer team. The team was to compete in the Football Federation of Australia Girls National championships in Canberra.

Sophie has been chosen in this year's Northern NSW under-14 train-on squad.

The Spinks brothers of North Rothbury were nominated after they cleaned up at the Kings and Queens Dirt Track Championships motorcycles meet in Canberra.

The eldest, Hayden 11, won three trophies after dominating his races in the nine to 13-years 65cc, 10 to 14-years modified 80cc and nine to under-12 85/150cc small wheel divisions.

Nine-year-old Connor won the seven to under 10 years 80cc modified bike division. Youngest brother Tyler, aged eight, won all four of his races to take home the Pro senior seven to under nine-years 50cc title.

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The team award went to Cessnock Seals Water Polo Club that took out the Under-14 minor premiership in the Newcastle competition.

The team had 10 wins, one draw and one loss. The team had an influx of new members but quickly gelled in a very competitive unit and just went down in their grand-final 9-7.

APRIL

Junior nominations for April saw Holy Spirit Primary School students Charlie Hawke and Sophie Schumacher figure after they competed in the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association State Swimming carnival.

Swimming in the senior girls athlete with a disability division, Sophie picked up a silver medal in the 50 metres freestyle and 50 metres backstroke events at the Polding level which takes in Catholic Primary Schools from Northern NSW. Sophie went on to place eighth of 21 in freestyle at State. Charlie gained a bronze medal in the nine years 50 metres freestyle at Polding level and 15th of 36 at State.

Ice hockey player Michael Scott gained his nomination as a member of the Newcastle North Stars Bantam, Under-16 side that won their grand-final ranking them first in the State.

This year Michael pushed even harder and was successful in gaining a place in the Under-18 team.

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The senior awards were shared by East Cessnock Bowling Club players Brody Pitham and Michael Cronin.

They combined in the NSW Keno Hi-Jackers who won the 2011 Australian sides championships against Victoria claiming the Alley Shield. Brody was subsequently named in the national side.

MAY

The May nomination is for a team of Cessnock archers who enjoyed success at national and international competitions in Wagga, including three world titles.

At the IFAA World Bowhunting Championships at Wagga over Easter, Kate Miller placed first in the ladies’ freestyle limited compound, Kim Hodgins won the bowhunter limited adults division and her 12-year-old daughter Kelsey took out the Cub girls’ freestyle unlimited.

The Cessnock crew stayed in Wagga the following week when they attended the Australian Bowhunters Association championships.

Kelsey and twin sister Georgia again went one-two in the Cub girls’ freestyle unlimited compound, while mum Kim won the ladies’ bowhunter limited flight two division and dad George came second in the men’s bowhunter limited flight one division.

Kate Miller and Annette Stevens placed first and third respectively in the ladies’ freestyle limited flight two division, Brian Miller came second in the men’s freestyle flight one unlimited compound, and Brett Paddison also picked up a second place in the men’s freestyle limited recurve flight two.

JUNE

The team nomination for June goes to Cessnock Netball Association after a strong performance at the 2011 Holden State Championships, winning the Open Division Two competition. The team finished the three day championship without a blemish on its record, winning all 17 games and only conceding 193 goals.

Some of Cessnock’s big wins included those over Narrabri (39-7), Woolgoolga (37-6) and Gilgandra (32-6), while closer victories were had against eventual runners-up Muswellbrook (16-13), Tamworth (17-14) and Singleton (24-21).

Played at Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Association, the championships featured 146 teams from 75 associations across NSW playing in over 1400 games over the three days.

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Nulkaba’s Noel Partridge has been named Masters Swimming 2010 Australia’s Official of the Year and has gained a nomination in the administrator section of the awards.

This follows his recognition by the sport’s State body with the Masters Swimming NSW Ian McPhail Award, also for official of the year.

Noel has been with Cessnock Masters Swimmers for 15 years, and has officiated at numerous meets at club, branch and national level.

In 2010, he played the key role of marshal/check starter/clerk of course at 15 meets, and conducted seven accreditation workshops in NSW.

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Bellbird brothers Tysan and Tory Allen have starred for the NSW 23-and-under men’s netball team that won the Australian championships and share the senior and junior award for June.

Twenty-year-old Tysan, who played centre for NSW, was rewarded with selection in the Australian 23-and-under team to play in a tournament against New Zealand and South Africa on the Gold Coast in October.

Seventeen-year-old Tory, who was a late call-up to the NSW team after the captain was injured, was named players’ player for his efforts in wing defence.

The NSW team beat Victoria 53-40 in the final, after Victoria handed them a 44-30 loss in the minor rounds.

Tysan and four fellow NSW players were selected in the Australian Men’s Netball talent squad for the tournament in October.

Both have been named in the 2012 team that will contest the national championships in Queensland on the Easter weekend.

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Another junior nomination for the month is Weston’s Michael Steele who took another big step in his promising Rugby League career at the State of Origin match in Sydney.

The 17-year-old front rower played with the NSW under-18 team against the Queensland under-18s in a curtain-raiser to Origin II at ANZ Stadium.

It was a big year for the Kurri High Year 12 student – Michael was a member of the Newcastle Knights under-18 team coached by former Kurri Bulldog, Phil Williams that won the SG Ball (NSW competition) and the national under-18s club title.

The thrilling extra-time victory over Canterbury gave Newcastle its first SG Ball premiership since 2004. With the SG Ball competition over for the year, Michael was training with the Knights’ National Youth Competition (under-20s) squad and has been back playing with the Kurri Bulldogs, who he has played with since the under-sevens.

Michael hopes to break into the NYC side next season and eventually play first grade for the Knights.

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The third junior nomination for June goes to Cessnock teenager Ella Hugo who was selected to represent Australia at the World Youth Archery Championships in Poland in August.

It was to be Ella’s first crack at international level competition, after various successes at state and national level in her four years in the sport.

Ella came home from the Australian Youth Titles (held at Morwell, Victoria in April) as the second-best female compound archer in Australia – with a first place in clout, second in field, third in target, matchplay and mixed teams matchplay.

Out of 27 archers at the competition, nine were chosen for the Australian team to travel to Poland.

The world championships are the peak level of competition for compound archery, which has been a demonstration sport at the Commonwealth Games and is, Ella hopes, on its way to becoming an Olympic sport. A member of Cessnock Target Archers, Ella trains two hours every afternoon after school and travels to Sydney on weekends for sessions with Archery NSW junior coordinator Steve Jennison.

Ella went on to pick up a bronze medal at the World Youth Archery Championships, held in Legnica, Poland from August 22 to 28.

JULY

Heddon Greta motorcycle ace Josh Pickering recovered from a shoulder injury to pick up a second and two third places at the Australian Junior Long Track Championships in Brisbane and is the junior nomination for July.

Then 14, he broke his collarbone and shoulder blade at a Kurri club meet on May 1 and had eight weeks off the track.

He came second in the 13 to under-16 years 150cc two-stroke division, and third in the 250cc four-stroke and the combined 150cc two-stroke/250cc four-stroke, in which he was the only rider on the smaller bike.

AUGUST

The August team nomination is Cessnock City Women’s Bowling Club team that won the Hunter River District Women’s Bowling Association No. 1 pennant.

It was the club’s first No. 1 pennants title since 1978 and first in any grade since 2005, when the No. 2 side won the district title.

In what was a big year for the club, team member Marion Crump won the district singles titles and went on to succeed at group level, and was to play at the State championships in Tuncurry in September.

The Cessnock City Women’s team of Shirley Austen, Irene Wilson and Denise Crossley also secured the district triples titles. Cessnock City has used East Cessnock greens since the Aberdare Road club burned down in February 2010.

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Weston athlete Matt Rees returned from the Sports Travel Australia tour of Canada with two gold medals and is one of the junior nominations for August.

Matt won the 14-15 years men’s javelin at the Trevor Craven Memorial track and field meet in Vancouver and the 14 years men’s javelin at the Jack Brow Memorial meet in Kelowna.

Matt was chosen for the tour following some impressive performances at State level last year, when he placed fourth in his event at the NSW All Schools competition. Matt joined 28 other promising young athletes from all over Australia on the Canadian tour.

The Australian squad competed against some of the United States and Canada’s top young athletes.

Matt also made an impression on coach Ray Russell, who was on the tour with seven athletes from the St. George District Athletics Club. He now travels to Sydney to train with Ray at the St. George club.

Matt will continue to compete for Kurri Little Athletics Club, where he has been a member since he was three years old, and will dual register with St. George to take part in amateur competition.

Jesse Deloraine and Jake Robinson from the Cessnock Seals Water Polo Club were selected in NSW water polo teams that competed against other states in Brisbane and are junior nominations for August.

Jesse was selected in the NSW Under-16 Blues side after competing at the NSW Under-16 State Championships for the Hunter Hurricanes and then attending several training camps. Jesse travelled to Brisbane with the team and competed in the Trans-Tasman Tournament where he gained a silver medal.

Jesse was also selected in the NSW All Schools team and competed in the Australian All Schools competition held at the Melbourne Aquatic Centre in May. The team won gold against the Victorian All Schools side, with Queensland claiming bronze.

Jake was selected in the NSW U/14 Blues side after competing at the NSW U/14 State Championships for the Newcastle Representative squad and then attending a week long camp at the NSW Institute of sport at Narrabeen. Jake also travelled to Brisbane and competed in the East Coast Challenge, where he also gained a silver medal.

Both boys are members of the Cessnock Seals Water Polo club but also play for the Hunter Hurricanes in the Sydney Metropolitan Cup.

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A special service to sport award has been awarded to Brian Davey, who retired at the end of the season after more than 30 years as ground announcer for Cessnock Rugby League Club.

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Kurri basketballer Matt Johnson is the senior nomination for August. At the time of his nomination he was to travel to Italy with the Australian Boomerangs (Australian men’s basketball team for athletes with an intellectual disability).

The 18-year-old started playing basketball in 2007. Well over six feet (183 centimetres) tall at age 14, Matt’s mum Brenda encouraged him to take up basketball and he hasn’t looked back.

Just four years later, and now standing over six feet, 10 inches (207 centimetres), Matt has made his first Australian squad and his first overseas trip.

The Boomerangs contested the INAS (Istituto Nazionale Assistenza Sociale) Global Games in Liguria from September 24 to October 4.

Matt and three other NSW athletes were in the Australian basketball squad that placed fourth at the Global Games, beaten by Portugal in the playoff for bronze.

The INAS Global Games are one of the largest events for athletes with an intellectual disability in the world.

About 1500 athletes from more than 30 countries competed across seven sports, including basketball, athletics, Futsal, tennis, swimming, cycling and table tennis.

Matt started playing basketball with the Cessnock Cobras in 2007 and was soon identified for selection at a tall players’ camp, where he was first spotted by current Boomerangs manager Carmen Skidmore. He also went on to attend Hunter Sports High School at Gateshead for basketball.

SEPTEMBER

In September the junior nomination went to 11-year-old Hayden Spinks of North Rothbury who added another 10 trophies to his collections. His most recent win was the NSW Junior Long Track championships. Other wins included the Kings and Queens of Dirt Track Racing meet in Canberra where he won three categories.

In what was a massive month for junior nominations, judges included Heddon Greta’s Josh Pickering who tasted victory in the NSW Junior Long Track championships 13 to 16-years event despite finishing only three of the four heats. He also gained a second place in the 150cc two stroke standard division and a fourth in the 250cc. He continued this form at the North Brisbane Cup winning the 150, 250 and the cup challenge pairs event.

The run continued with Isaac Hawes of Ellalong, a nomination after picking up the NSW Junior Long Track championships. He won the nine to 11 years 85cc-150cc four stroke final. He also placed third in the Australian Long Track titles in Brisbane in July and the Casey Stoner Cup at Kurri in March.

Matt Rees of Weston was another junior to excel, winning the 14 years boy’s javelin at the NSW Combined High School athletic championships.

Also at the NSW CHS athletics titles, Claudia Russell of Nulkaba gained bronze in the 17 years and over high jump with a best of 1.55 metres. This was her third medal haul at the championships over the past two years. Claudia also won gold as a member of the NSW CHS netball championships playing for the Hunter team.

Claudia has recently been named in the NSW 19-and-under netball team.

September also saw Cessnock’s Ella Hugo bring home a bronze medal from the World Youth Archery Championships held in Poland.

Ella was placed third overall in the compound cadet women’s division after going into the elimination rounds ranked fifth.

There were 38 girls in Ella’s division with the top 16 going through to the elimination. In the round of eight Ella shot a world record of 144 out of 150, only to see it fall just minutes later to South African archer Danielle Wentzel who shot 145.

Ella went on to pick up five gold medals at the National Youth Archery Championships in Armidale in January this year.

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Paxton power boat racer Ron Beasley is the senior nomination for September after taking top honours in the Top End Sprint power boat race. Conducted annually the Top End is an 18 mile (26-kilometre) one way river race from Sackville to Windsor on the Hawkesbury River. Ron has been racing power boats for more than 20 years he beat all comers in his unlimited outboard tunnel boat in a time of 10 minutes and two seconds, averaging a race speed of over 155 kilometres per hour.

OCTOBER

The junior winner for October was 11-year-old Eva Neville who attends Nulkaba Public School and was responsible for a successful run at the Public Schools Sports Association’s National Championships bringing home two gold medals.

The event was held in Darwin and saw the best young athletes in the country compete for top honours in their respective fields.

Eva was a member for the winning teams in both the 8 x 100 metres relay and 4 x 200 metres relay.

Joining Eva as a nomination is Caleb Clifton who won the 65cc seven to nine years division at the Australian Junior Motocross championships. Caleb secured the title with a perfect showing in the finals with five straight wins. Caleb dominated his competition throughout 2011 and was the only rider unbeaten in the three rounds of the State championships.

NOVEMBER< p>The junior award for November went to Mulbring motocross champ Caleb Clifton who had just switched to flat track for the one weekend and came home with an Australian title. This was fresh from his win in the Australian Junior Motocross championships early in October when he contested the seven to nine years 65cc Division at the Australian Junior Dirt Track titles.

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The senior nomination for November went to Cessnock Rifle Club member Rod Davies. He joined an elite group to have won the sport’s prestigious National Queen’s Prize. Rod, who joined the club three years ago after moving down from Cairns, took out the F class open after three intense days of competition. The event is 150 years old and attracts shooters from all over Australia.

DECEMBER

Th e junior nomination for December was Abermain athlete Jacarna Bain-Fenton who took part in the 400 metres talent identification camp for relay runners in Hobart. Jacarna also went on to collect a silver medal in the Under 18 women’s 400 metres at the Australian All Schools carnival in Brisbane. Jacarna ran second to Tasmania Abbey de la Motte who ran a world junior qualifying time of 54.95.

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The senior nomination for December goes to Cessnock Archers member Megan Weir who has been shooting for several years and has improved with every year to reach the penultimate results of the 3D Archery Association of Australia for the second year running.

Megan is the NSW State Series winner, NSW State Champion, Australian Champion, Australian Shooter of the Year and also receiving the Margaret Cowan award for her skills and input into 3D Archery within Australia.

The State Titles were held at 12 Mile Creek in conjunction with the Lake Macquarie leg of the State Series round with Megan out performing her competitors to finishing 25 points clear of her nearest rival.

With the overall points from throughout the year and the win at the Nationals, this gave Megan the fulfilling result of Australian Champion for 2011 to follow up on her 2010 Australian Champion status. As well as being named Australian Champion Megan was also named as the Shooter of the Year for her division of Female Bowhunter Finger Release for the second year in succession.

To cap off a great couple of seasons, the ultimate reward for any 3D archer is the Margaret Cowan Memorial trophy, awarded to the female archer deemed to have not only had the right results for the year but also to have given significant input back to 3D Archery.

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The team nomination for December went to Cessnock Archers. The club has once again been successful at a national level.