The third NSW Barefoot Championship held at the Forbes Aquatic Centre last weekend was a fabulous success with 43 competitors.

Locals Jono Collits, Tas Spackman, Tom Morrison, Joff King, Tim Burke, Angus King and Jim Cronin wowed their family and friends with their skill. “It is so great bare- footing to a home crowd,” said Tom. “Everyone can watch all your tricks.” Forbes has a unique advantage over other venues as all spectators can see the whole event.

The locals did not only show off their skill, but managed to win rankings too. Tom was ranked second in the junior boys competition, Jono ranked second in the men’s overall (Second division) while Jim Cronin was ranked third and Tas tenth in the men’s overall (third division) competition.

During the competition two to three adjudicators scored each competitor from the back of the boat. The competition included slalom, tricks and jump events. The slalom events saw competitors crossing the wake of the boat as many times as possible. During the trick events, competitors hear a siren when on their two feet when they had to perform technique tricks for 15 seconds. The crowd was amazed at many of the tricks including skiing backwards, turns and butt slides. Jumps where also undertaken which is not an easy feat without skis.

To add to the overall festive atmosphere, campervans were set up and individual marquees joined together all along the shore of the Forbes Aquatic Centre to allow spectators to socialise and see the com- petitors in action at the same time. Peter O’Neil and the Mulwala Waterski Club Trick Skiers amazed the crowd on the fly board.

By Dianne Collie

A small group of Forbes Pony Club riders braved the Sunday heat recently and were taken through their paces by Rodeo com- mittee members.

‘The kids had a fabulous day,” said Presi- dent, Lisa Glasson. Troy and Shaun Read, fresh from the National Rodeo Finals in Tamworth where they had competed in Open Saddle Bronc riding, took the kids through a variety of experiences. These in- cluded riding a steer on a barrel (which is

not as easy as it looks), using a lasso and roping the horns of a dummy cow. They also completed barrel racing time trials. Some Pony Club members will participate in the Forbes Rodeo on Saturday, 18th March.

The Club’s next rally is planned for Sun- day, 5th March at their grounds in Forester Street. Registrations are still being taken. The club is active each first Sunday of the month.

The Forbes Sportsperson Of The Year As- sociation has announced the nominees in each category with the winners to be an- nounced on 4th March at the Forbes Ser- vices Memorial Club. Tickets are on sale at helloworld until today.

Senior Sporstperson:

Mitchell Andrews – Rugby League & Lawn Bowls; Jake Grace – Rugby League; Scott Johnston – Archery; Ben Maguire – Rug- by League; Darcie Morrison – Rugby 7s; Mitchell Roylance – Jet Boat Racing; Nic Tomlinson – Motocross Enduro.

Junior Sportsperson:

Daniel Ashcroft – Kumiai-Ryu; Iszac Bell – Athletics, Rugby League & Basketball; Tom Drane – Dirt Bike Racing; Matty Duke – Cricket & Rugby League; Brianna Dun- can – Golf; Ellie Flick – Netball, League Tag, Touch, Athletics, Swimming, Basket- ball & Cross Country; Zachariah Green – Swimming, Hockey, Athletics, Cross Coun- try, Rugby Union & Touch Football; Jake Greenhalgh – Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics & Motocross Racing; Fyn Har- rison – Swimming; Henry Hodges – Ath- letics, Swimming, Cross Country, Touch, Basketball, Tennis & Cricket; Toby Hurford

– Cricket & Rugby League; Stuart Kenne- dy – Rugby Union; Lillyann Mason-Spice – League Tag & Rugby 7s; Tom Morrison – Barefoot Skiing; Lauren Neilsen – Danc- ing; Monica Pascoe – Cross Country, Touch, Basketball And Volleyball; Camp- bell Rubie – Swimming, Athletics, Rugby League, Rugby Union & Soccer; Harrison Scott – Rugby League & Athletics; Charlie Staines – Rugby League; Georgina Stitt – Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics, Net- ball, Gymnastics, Cricket & Touch; Colly Thomas – Polocrosse

Team:

Maree & Brendan Doyle – Team Penning & Team Sorting; Forbes Junior Cricket Under 14s Representative Team; Forbes Magpies First Grade Rugby League; Forbes Net- ball Association 12 Years Representative Team; Red Bend Catholic College Rugby League 15s.

Coach/Trainer:

Jake Grace – Rugby League; Robyn Ken- ny – Netball; Amy Townsend – League Tag

Referee/Umpire/Official:

Shanika Harpur – Rugby League; Jessica Lawler – Netball; Sam Mackay – Touch

The quality of nominations received for 2016 Sports Awards has delighted the Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Association (SOYA). The Annual Presentation Dinner takes place on Saturday, 4th March at the Forbes Services Memorial Club at 6.30pm.

SOYA is dedicated to recognising the ac- complishments of local athletes, adminis- trators and officials, and to thank the many volunteers who ensure children and adults of all ages have access to some of the best sporting facilities and competitions in NSW.

Awards being contested include the Jun- ior and Senior Sportsperson, All Rounder, Coach/Trainer, Referee / Umpire / Official, Administrator, Team and the Forbes Sport- sperson and Runner Up for 2016. The over- all winner of the Central West Credit Union Monthly Achievers Award will also be an- nounced, as well as the President’s Award, Phillip Adams Encouragement Award, Merit Awards, School and Special Sports Awards. The calibre of the nominations received for all the awards was of a very high standard making the job of the independent judging panel extremely difficult.

Tickets, available from helloworld Travel at $40 for adults and $25 for children (12 years & under) including a two-course meal, is available until 5pm on Friday, 24th Febru- ary.

The Lachlan Dragons competed at Syd- ney’s Darling Harbour last weekend in the Chinese New Year regatta.

Fourteen paddlers made the annual trip to compete in the premier, mixed and wom- en’s races. They were joined by the Orange based Pinnacle Dragons to fill the boat.

First timers Mary Laksito, Liz Mitchell, Chris Kronenberg, Bev Pengilly and Ainslie Toole were joined by old hands Warren Ed- wards, Donna Edwards, Beth Thomas, Bill Thomas, Robyn Stephens, Neil Stephens, Deb Abela, Deb Tooley and Deb Churchill.

Although the team didn’t gain a place in any of the finals, the squad performed bril-

liantly in balmy 39 degrees Celsius. They finished five of the seven races in sub one minute time for the 200m events.

Next month the Lachlan Dragons will com- pete in the Canberra regatta, once again combining with Colour City Orange pad- dlers in the mixed team.

Six Lachlan Dragon club members have gained selection in the Western Region team. They will compete at NSW Champi- onships on 26th March in Penrith. Congrat- ulations to Helen Rowbotham, Claire Davis, Carmen Stephens, Beth Thomas, Rochelle Smith and Warren Edwards.

By Chris Sweeney

Forbes was running high on rugby league fever last Thursday when two Penrith Pan- thers players visited local schools as part of the NRL Community Carnival.

Josh Mansour and Soni Luke visited five schools in the morning to talk about respect and diversity and in the afternoon they were at Spooner Oval to meet fans, hand out autographs and pose for photos.

Many children brought shirts and caps to be signed, while the NRL also had posters with a team photo of the Panthers signed by the two visiting players.

The morning sessions at the schools focused on the importance of respect, belonging and celebrating differences both on and off the field.

The NRL Community Carnival takes players throughout Australia and New Zealand this month to meet fans in more than 80 communities.

Now in its 17th year, the NRL Commu- nity Carnival is supported by every NRL club and NRL Ambassadors, and will reach more than 250,000 kids, visit more than 1,000 schools and travel more than 40,000 km.

To play JRL in Forbes, interested players can contact Matthew Little on 0418 666 550 at the Forbes Magpies JRL, or Mat- thew Toohey on 0450 878 889 at Red Bend JRL.