Champions of Western Australian sport to be announced at RAC SportWest awards

Holding a special place for generations of Western Australian sport lovers, the latest edition of the RAC SportWest awards are due to be held tomorrow evening at Perth's Optus Stadium.

Coordinated by SportWest and backed by naming rights partner RAC and major partners The West Australian, Hyundai, KPMG, Channel Seven Perth, Roobix, Community TAB, 6PR, RAC Insurance and Healthway, the 62nd edition of the awards will see the West Australian RAC Sports Star for 2019 named during a dinner in the River View Rooms before more than 500 people.

Commenting on how sport plays an important role in fostering leaders and building a strong and resilient community, RAC Insurance Chief Executive, Andrew O’Hara stated "we are proud partners of the RAC SportWest awards, which continue to honour the outstanding achievements of WA athletes and sporting clubs both on and off the field.

"These awards celebrate a large part of what it means to be proudly Western Australian - recognising those who are active, hardworking, dedicated and community-focused."

Experienced members of the judging panel have advised that this year was the toughest selection meeting for more than a decade as 12 athletes in 10 different sports vied to join the pantheon of Western Australian sporting greats.

Hockey champion Morna Pearce won the first award in 1956 while last year Perth’s footballer Sam Kerr claimed the title for the second consecutive year.

The Awards have also recognised the achievements of Western Australian’s greatest sporting idols, the likes of Herb Elliott, Shirley Strickland, Dennis Lillee, Ric Charlesworth, Rechelle Hawks, Ryan Bayley and Lauren Mitchell.

The awards night also celebrates and pays tribute to the efforts of a diverse number of West Australians in various other award categories.

Six emerging stars are in contention for the Hyundai Junior Sports Star, a litmus test for those talented young athletes who are destined for greater glory.

This year, athletes Sasha Zhoya and Rhiannon Clarke, AFL player Deven Robertson, rower Hamish Henriques, lacrosse player Madison Copeland and golfer Maddison Hinson-Tolchard are in contention.

The Channel Seven Perth Team of the Year has three contenders - Perth Wildcats, Perth Glory men and the WA Football State under-18s that won the Australian championships for the first time in a decade.

The KPMG Coach of the Year award has golf coach Ritchie Smith, Trevor Gleeson of the Perth Wildcats and Cricket Australia’s Justin Langer in contention.

In addition, the Community TAB Official of the Year award and the Healthway Healthy Club award will form a special part of the night.

The awards will not only celebrate the athletic achievements of Western Australia's sportings stars but will also acknowledge unsung heroes for their unstinting volunteer work that often keeps grass roots sports buoyant.

The winners of three such awards, the Roobix Service to Sport - May Campbell Medal, RAC Insurance Beyond Sport - John Gilmour Medal and the RAC Insurance Community Club of the Year will be named tomorrow night.

Image: Footballer Sam Kerr, pictured after playing for the Matildas at Sydney's Bankwest Stadium last week, was named West Australian RAC Sports Star in 2017 and 2018. Image courtesy of Bankwest Stadium.