Calling all past Warwick sport stars
THE Daily News is seeking contact details for all monthly sports star winners in the past two decades.
The first Daily News/Warwick Credit Union Junior Sports Star of the Year was held in 1993 with hockey and cricket star Dean Butler the inaugural winner.
Butler went on to play hockey for Australia and was in the first Australian Kookaburras team to win gold at Olympic level.
He was in the winning team at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
The senior awards started a year later when real estate agent Richard Thew approached the Daily News with an offer of $100 a month and $1000 for the annual winner to make a senior monthly award a reality.
With Mr Thew moving away for a time and the business sold, the Warwick Credit Union came on board during the past decade as joint sponsor with the Daily News of the senior award.
Monthly winners down the years include Allora internationals Greg Holmes (rugby) and Laura Geitz (netball), Australian women's cricketer Delissa Kimmince, Australian relay swimming squad member Tegan Warrener, Youth Olympics swimming gold medallist Max Ackermann, Australian polocrosse captain Cameron Shepherd, World Cup winning shooter Greg Newey and drag racing star Chris Loy.
While some stars have won more than one award and others have won at senior and junior level, more than 200 sports achievers have been honoured down the years.
The Daily News and Warwick Credit Union plan a celebration early next year to mark the 20 years and it is requested all past winners or people who know their contact numbers email gerardw@warwickdailynews.com.au with details.
Nominations for current monthly awards can also be emailed to sports reporter Gerard Walsh at the above address. Juniors awards cater for stars under 18.
