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Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) staff in the Pilbara organised the awards with the support of local governments, sponsors and selection panel members.

The Town of Port Hedland, City of Karratha, Shire of East Pilbara and Shire of Ashburton all hold yearly sports awards. The DLGSC Pilbara office received the award winner details from each local government and an independent panel came together to vote on the regional winners.

The winners of the 2023 Pilbara Regional Sports Awards are;

• Junior Sportsperson of the Year — Toby Fountain (men’s netball — City of Karratha).
• Sportsperson of the Year — Ashleigh Greenwell (women’s AFL — City of Karratha).
• Official of the Year — Cath Widdup (netball — Town of Port Hedland).
• Coach of the Year — Cassie Perry (basketball — City of Karratha).
• Volunteer of the Year — Kate McLarty (BMX — Town of Port Hedland).
• Sporting Organisation of the Year — Karratha Basketball Association (City of Karratha).

Special commendation certificates were also awarded to Rhys Cooyou (touch football, AFL — Shire of Ashburton), Alex Oliver (cricket, netball, teeball — Shire of East Pilbara) and Clay Thompson (taekwondo — Town of Port Hedland).

Some of the regional awards were presented at the City of Karratha Sports Awards event on 27 October 2023 and the Town of Port Hedland Sports Awards event on 10 November 2023

DLGSC Pilbara Regional Manager Toby Cotterell said there was a total of 330 nominations for the local government awards which was a record for the region.

Photo: DLGSC Pilbara Regional Manager Toby Cotterel in Port Hedland with award winner Cath Widdup and Monika Takkel from Volunteering WA

“Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners of the local government awards across the Pilbara and to our 2023 Pilbara Regional Sports Awards winners,” he said.

“Sport and recreation continues to thrive in the Pilbara and this is only possible because of the amazing people we have in our community, and it was an honour to be able to further acknowledge their hard work with these awards.

“We’ve been able to travel around the region to present the awards, including attending the presentation events at the City of Karratha and the Town of Port Hedland.

“Thanks to everyone who made the awards possible, including our sponsors Kevin Michel MLA, Xtreme Edge Karratha, Volunteering WA and North West Trophies and Engraving.”

Photo: DLGSC Pilbara Regional Manager Toby Cotterel in Port Hedland with award winner Kate McLarty and Monika Takkel from Volunteering WA.

Media enquiries: mediaenquiry@dlgsc.wa.gov.au