The dinner is being held next Saturday, March 7 at the Young Services Club from 6.30pm. 

It aims to recognise those in the community who have excelled in their sporting pursuits and the volunteers who have given back in some way.

Master of Ceremonies for the night will be Mark Foreman.

The major award categories include Junior and Senior Sportsperson of the year, Special Sportsperson of the Year, Veteran and International Sportsperson of the Year. 

Young Sports Advisory Committee chairperson Ben Cooper is excited about the successful year his committee has experienced and is looking forward to the night. 

“I absolutely love being involved with this enthusiastic and forward- thinking committee,” he said.

“We have achieved some great things this year. We have successfully pushed through the Sportsground Improvement Program and have developed the Sportsperson Walk of Fame Project.

“It is always great to see hard working members of our local sporting community recognised and honoured for their achievements at our annual awards night.”

Awards for Service to Sport and Continuing Service to Sport will also be presented on the night, recognising two people in the town who have given their time, energy and expertise into advancing sport in the shire. 

“They will join past winners such as Janine Pollard, Grant Erickson, Neville Smith, Nan Terry, Jim Glasheen, Greg Mawell, Dave Webster, Pam Grant and Mark Mellish who have all helped advance their chosen sports in Young,” Cooper said.

And for the first time ever, the awards night will see someone inducted into Young’s Sportsperson Walk of Fame - an initiative that has been years in the making. 

The project aims to recognise people from Young who have achieved exceptionally high distinction as players, coaches, administrators or umpires in their chosen sport. 

Inductees will have a sign erected as part of the walk of fame which will run from the Young Aquatic Centre up towards Alfred Oval.

Former local and former Australian Paralympic wheelchair basketballer Gerry Hewson is lined up to be guest speaker. 

Hewson has coached wheelchair basketball at both national and international levels. 

He’s participated in four Paralympic Games, his team winning gold at the 1996 Paralympic games.

“It will be a fantastic opportunity for locals to learn about this interesting sport and to see how focus and determination leads to excellence,” Cooper said.

The sports committee would like to thank the businesses who continue to support the night - and without who the event wouldn’t be possible:

“We would like to thank Young Tyre Power, 2LF/Roccy FM, Hablin’s Pharmacy, Judge’s Pharmacy, Southcon/Empire Hotel, Connelly’s Office National, Kay Macdonald Trophies, K.P Carmody and co, Young Sportpower, Young Services Club, Federation Motor Inn and South West Fuels for sponsoring the awards night and The Young Witness for their ongoing, excellent coverage of the event,” Cooper said.

Tickets for the event are on sale at Young Sportspower for $22 for adults and $14 for children (under 12).

The tickets include a three course meal and a chance to hear from the night’s informative guest speaker. 

The committee encourages people to purchase their tickets as soon as possible. 

There will be no tickets for sale at the door on the evening.

“We hope to see a big crowd turn up on Saturday, March 7 to recognise our local sporting heroes,” Cooper said.