Nominations are open for two of the Hastings region’s longest-running sporting honours, with $10,500 in prizes and scholarship funding on offer for local athletes, coaches, teams and volunteers.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is again offering the annual Wayne Richards Sporting Scholarship, providing $5,000 to support an outstanding young local athlete competing at state, national or international level.
The scholarship is open to eligible athletes aged 13 to 21 who live within the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area, and can help cover costs such as registration fees, sporting equipment and travel to competitions outside the region.
Established in honour of former Mayor Wayne Richards and his passion for supporting local youth and sport, the scholarship has been helping talented young athletes pursue their sporting goals since 2004.
The 2026 Sunrise Hastings Sports Awards are also open for nominations, marking 27 years of recognising sporting excellence, community spirit and volunteer contribution across the Hastings region. With $5,500 in prizes on offer, categories include Sportsperson of the Year, Senior and Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Senior and Junior Team of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability, Sporting Volunteer of the Year, Excellence in Sporting Achievements, and a new Coach of the Year category for 2026.
Council is encouraging local sporting clubs and associations to share the opportunities with their members, athletes, coaches, volunteers and families.
Nominations for both the scholarship and the awards close on Friday, 30 October.
Get more information and apply on council’s website
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