From league to sailing, NewsLocal looks back at the top 20 NSW local sports stories of 2022

With the new year here, NewsLocal takes one last opportunity to look back on a stellar 2022 from a NSW sporting front, with our top 20 local stories of the year as judged by our loyal readers.

THE past year was a huge one for the local sporting scene in New South Wales.

With most sports returning to normal after two Covid-interrupted years, it gave our everyday heroes the chance to shine.

NewsLocal looks back on the stories that were most popular with our readers in 2022, highlighting our local sporting stars and teams.

LIVESTREAMING BONANZA

More live and exclusive action than ever before was brought to readers through NewsLocal and KommunityTV, with the largest offering of sport seen.

Among the most popular was the National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour for the football girls back in September.

A goal-fest provided plenty of entertainment as the next gen of potential Matildas and Socceroos strutted their stuff.

NSW took out the 15 and Under title at the Football Australia National Youth Championships. Picture: Contributed

The U14s Basketball Club Championships for the boys and girls was another hit, with viewers from around Australian tuning in to support their local regions.

Water polo was another sport that made a huge splash in the live-streaming sphere, with the National U15 and U17 Championships drawing a massive audience, capped off with a pair of NSW vs Queensland battles in the pool for the gold medals.

Patrician Brothers Fairfield celebrate winning the NRL Schoolboys Grand Final against Hills Sports High at Leichhardt Oval. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Last but certainly not least was the NRL Schoolboys Cup, pitting the future stars of rugby league right in front of our very eyes.

The final between Patrician Brothers Fairfield and Hills Sports put the exclamation mark on an incredible year.

Jordan Kempnich was named as one of regional NSW’s best U21s players. Photo: Supplied

RUGBY LEAGUE

With bush footy and its iconic nature back in the full swing of things this year, NewsLocal took a spotlight to the best young guns across the state.

We looked at the 100 best U21s players in regional NSW, stretching from the Northern Rivers right down to the Victorian border.

Grand final day across the state is for many the biggest day of the year, and for some it was the first since 2019.

The NSWRL West conference deciders, Macarthur league and NRRRL.

Blacktown's Jett Saxby looks at an attempted stumping by Parramatta keeper Adbith Boreddy in the Green Shield. Picture: John Apopleyard

CRICKET

The future stars of NSW cricket have been on show this season, with readers getting behind the young men and women looking to make it big.

The Green Shield for U16 boys features over 300 players and we’ve already seen some incredible knocks, while the Brewer Shield for U18 girls emphasised the continued growth of the women’s game.

Many had a watching eye on the country’s young guns as the U16s fired in the Bradman Cup.

Mackinley Miller (left) of the Belconnen Magpies was named as one of Country NSW/ACT’s best players of the year. Picture: Belconnen Facebook Page

AUSSIE RULES

It was the stars of the bush that were once again in the firing line, with our comprehensive list of the 56 best male players of 2022 from Country NSW/ACT drawing intrigue.

The AFL NSW/ACT Junior Schools Cup was another hit, as readers tuned in to cheers on their favourite school in the prestigious competition.

Alex Conti for NSW Gen Blue. Picture: Julian Andrews

RUGBY UNION

The Pacific Youth Rugby Festival saw some of our rising stars head north to the Sunshine Coast for the festival of football.

Another huge event took place in Bathurst with the City vs Country juniors on show, with many keen to see how the bright young boys and girls faired.

Spots were highly coveted in the NSW Gen Blue squad to take on the Queenslanders and it showed with readers hooked on who advanced in the selection trials.

Alexandra Richards sprints her way to a heat win at the All Schools event. Picture: Julian Richards

SWIMMING/ATHLETICS

The All Schools Athletics Championships brought NSW’s best young talent together to fly the flag in Adelaide, with some extraordinary performances making people stand up and take notice.

The same can be said for our young swimmers, as readers kept up to date with record breakers at the NSW State Age Championships at Homebush.

The Doyalson Premier Men won their division at the 2022 NSW Touch State Cup. Picture: Chris Huang

OTHER SPORTS THAT SHONE

The time-honoured Sydney to Hobart had people on the edge of their seats waiting for the latest information, following the progress of both the prestigious crews and battlers alike.

Touch football had its chance in the spotlight ahead of the State Cup, with our article showcasing the men and women to watch in the open division getting a strong reception.