SPORTS AWARDS: Steve Gibson will be able to reflect on a successful rugby league career in Australia and England and look at the changes in the game when he is guest speaker at Monday night's Daily News/Warwick Credit Union Senior Sports Star of the Year dinner at the Warwick RSL Memorial Club.

Born in Allora, Gibson was one of six boys in his family, five of whom played footy for Wattles.

He starred for Wattles and played for the Toowoomba Clydesdales and Queensland Country.

Gibson played one season for Norths and two seasons with Souths in Brisbane before signing with Salford in England where he played six seasons at wing and mainly fullback, five in division 1. He was the leading try scorer for three seasons at Salford.

Salford was relegated to division 2 for the 1991 season and beat Halifax in the grand final to move back to division 1.

It was in division 1 for Salford in 1992 when Gibson had his best season and was rated the best fullback in England.

He then took on a player-coach role at Rochdale Hornets for three seasons.

Gibson met wife Kirsty when in England and they are now living at Allora.

"I am loving being at Allora and watching our nine-year-old son Ziggy play for Wattles,” he said.

This year's awards are the 24th for seniors.

Three athletes have won both junior and senior overall awards, Olympic hockey gold medallist Dean Butler, Brisbane Heat and Queensland Fire cricketer Mark Steketee and athletics star Matthew Denny from Allora.

The odds are Denny will join netballer and past sports star winner Laura Geitz in this year's Commonwealth Games team for the Gold Coast.

The overall winner this year will receive $1000 from Warwick Credit Union CEO Lewis von Stieglitz.

For the fifth time, the Warwick RSL Memorial Club has sponsored a sports person of the year award based on local sport and president Geraldine O'Neill will present the $500 cheque to the winner.

The award is judged on performances at a local level and volunteer work rather than on performances at state and national level.

The overall winners are determined by a judging panel independent of all sponsors. Tickets for the dinner on sale at the Daily News at $30, $15 for children under 12. Those attending are asked to buy tickets today or call 46601355.

Facts on the awards

Junior Sports Awards: Hockey and cricket player Dean Butler was the inaugural overall winner in 1993. The Daily News and Warwick Credit Union have been sponsors of the awards for all 25 years.

Senior Sports Awards: Shooter Greg Newey was the inaugural overall winner in 1994. Next year's dinner will be the 25th for the senior awards. Separate dinners for junior and senior awards.

Olympians: Two monthly/overall winners have gone on to represent Australia at the Olympics, Athens hockey gold medallist Dean Butler and thrower Matthew Denny who represented Australia in 2016 at Rio.

Awards area: The awards started for Warwick, Clifton and Inglewood local authorities and the area hasn't changed with shire amalgamations. Warwick, Killarney, Allora, Clifton, Inglewood and Texas athletes are eligible.

Age: Nominees aged 17 or less at end of nominated month are eligible for junior awards. Students from the area at boarding schools away from Warwick are eligible along with students boarding in Warwick to attend school. Senior awards covers 18 years and older.

Eligibility: Athletes are eligible for an award if their principal place of residence is within the award area at the time of the performance which makes them eligible.

As the awards are "sports” stars, performances in all sports are considered.

Nominations: Monthly winners are determined by performances written up in Daily News and nominations by email to gerardw@warwickdailynews.com.au.