From national champions in waterskier Amy Boylan and endurance motorcycle race Jarrod Bewley to Penrith Panthers NRL rookie sensation Lachlan Coote and defending champion, triple Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer Peter Leek and World Cup bronze medal kayaker Sarah O'Connell-Brechin, there is plenty to like about this year's field.

Graham Godwin won the NSW State League basketball MVP last year and was the X-factor in the Hawkesbury Jets' 22-match winning streak this year and eque- strian champions Chris Chugg and Chris Burton both won major events on the international stage.

And then there's tomorrow's heroes, including triple Australian champion Boy- lan, prodigiously talented junior cricketers Tom Decent and Harry Ridgewell, brilliant long distance swimmer Wally Eggleton and rising tennis player Brooke Hardy.

Not a bad bunch indeed, and most will head to the event on Friday night secretly hoping they might be a chance of climbing onto the stage at the end of the night.

A packed house of more than 350 people is expected to be in attendance, with 10 major awards to be presented on the night including the No.1 prize, and former Test cricketer Gavin Robertson to entertain as the special guest speaker.

Sportsperson of the Year awards will be made in the categories of Masters, Sen- ior, Junior, Subjunior and Athlete with a Disability, as well as Team and Coach of the Year, the dedication to sport award and the encouragement award for the most promising junior athlete.

Previous winners include former Aust- ralian netball captain Liz Ellis, V8 Super- car star James Courtney, new Australian boxing champion Joel Brunker and rising NSW cricket star Peter Forrest.

? All the nominees, Page 78