Glen Innes Sports Council Secretary Julie Fuller said the awards are a chance for all sporting codes to recognise their athletes for their hard work during the year.

“It was good to see so many local sportspeople in the one room all celebrating how important sport is to the fabric of the local community,” she said.

“For a small town, we punch above our weight as far as getting our sportspeople onto representative teams.

“The voting was really tight this year because the calibre of athletes was so high.” 

Blake Duddy and Lali Alt won the squirts sportspersons of the year award and Caleb Kemp was the winner of the sub-junior boy's category.

Georgie Webster won the sub-junior girls with the Glen Innes Public School rugby league side taking the sub-junior team of the year award.

Luke Kiehne won the junior boy's award and Mikielee Snow took out the junior girls category.

The Magpies Minor league senior girls league tag team won the regional team's category and Connor Cooke took out the Col Hull junior service to sport award.

In the Senior categories Ken Bradley and Kristal Pocock were awarded for there outstanding 2016 whilst the all-conquering Elkettes women’s rugby union side took out the senior team of the year award.

The Kerrie Floyd Memorial Service to Sports award was taken home by Jeanette Hiller and Russell Scott.

The Lionel and Joyce Short award went to Michael Lamph and Julie Fuller.

The Legends of Sports award went to Barry Knight and John Shannon.

Mrs Fuller said it was important for all nominees to feel they were valued contributors to sport in Glen Innes.

“There can be only one winner but those that got nominated should feel honoured because it was a high-class field in all categories,” she said.

“Our sportspeople represent our community well.”