FIVE local community members have been nationally recognised for their sporting contributions and achievements with a Commonwealth Government Sport Achievement Award.

Those recognised are:

Bundarra's Mandy-Lea Gallagher: outstanding achievement in campdrafting and dedication to organising horse sports and charity events.

Delungra's Rachael Kent: achievement in representative sides in cross country, athletics, touch football, soccer, tennis, cricket, softball and netball.

Gum Flat Public School's Ashlee Makim: success in representing her school in cross-country, swimming, athletics, soccer and hockey.

Macintyre High School's Mark Willoughby: personal achievements in the sport of basketball and ongoing commitment to the sport as a talented referee.

Inverell High School's Rodney Blair: success in athletics at combined high schools (CHS) level and at the 2003 Talented Athlete Tour of the USA.

Member for New England Tony Windsor presented Rodney with his award at his school assembly on Tuesday and the remaining recipients will be given their awards this week.

Mr Windsor said this was the first time the Commonwealth Government had recognised sporting contributions to athletes and sports administrators.

"Over the last few months, I have sought nominations for this award from school principals within my electorate and I have been bowled over by the quality of the nominations received. Many of the recipients have years of dedication to coaching, administering and developing sports within our region and without the devotion of these individuals, many of the electorate's sporting events could not occur,” he said.

Inverell High School Year 8 student Rodney Blair has represented the north west region at the state CHS athletics trials five times. His favourite events include long jump, 100metres sprinting and he has jumped 1.73metres in high jump at just 13 years old.

Rodney represented NSW at the national athletics trials last year and was also part of the 2003 Talented Athlete Tour, which travelled to Las Vegas and Los Angeles, USA in the Easter school holidays.

He will attend the state CHS trials for the sixth time in Sydney next week and compete in the 100metres sprinting, high jump, long jump and shot put.

Rodney is also very competent in other sports and in the classroom. When he was presented the government award on Tuesday, Rodney was also recognised as a member of Inverell High School's Buckley Shield rugby league team and a participant in the Australian Spelling Competition.

© 2003 Inverell Times

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