Australian cricket Kane Richardson and soccer star Shadeene Evans big winners at Sports Awards

The Territory’s standout performers in the 2019 sporting year officially recognised at the annual sports awards

Borroloola soccer star Shadeene Evans is the 2020 NT Junior Sportsperson of the Year.

AUSTRALIAN cricketer Kane Richardson and Young Matildas soccer star Shadeene Evans have been named the NT Sportsperson and Junior Sportsperson of the Year.

The NT Sports Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of Territory athletes, coaches, sporting officials and volunteers in a calendar year.

Fifteen awards were presented, including the Masters Sportsperson of 2019, Eric Johnson Coach of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Sports Minister Kate Worden added her congratulations to all award winners.

“The achievements of our athletes wouldn’t be possible without community support, ranging from our wonderful volunteers, parents supporting children’s weekend games to those training our professional athletes,’’ she said.

“I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, nominees and finalists. Their diligence, passion and commitment to sport instils a sense of pride in all Territorians”.

Richardson competed in the 2019 ICC World Cup, Gillette T20 International Series, Qantas Tour of the United Arab Emirates and the Big Bash League.

The former Waratah and PINT fast bowler was the leading wicket taker in the 2018-19 Big Bash and a member of the winning Melbourne Renegades team.

Evans began her love affair with football after her introduction to the sport at age nine through Australia’s first indigenous soccer player, John Moriarty.

From the remote community of Borroloola on the Northern Territory’s east coast, Evans’ motivation and insistence on excellence quickly saw her talents recognised on the national stage.

Evans is now part of the powerful Sydney Football Club in the National Women’s League where she made her debut as a 17-year-old forward after representing Australia with the Young Matildas (under-20) side since the age of 16.

Her dedication and leadership qualities saw her named vice-captain of the Young Matildas team that contested the AFC U19 Women’s Championships in Thailand.

Bo de la Cruz was awarded NT Masters Sportsperson of the Year after captaining the Australian over-35 touch team to success at the 2019 World Cup, the highest level of competition for the sport.

She also coached and captained the Australian Indigenous Mixed Open team in a match against the Maori Mixed Open Team in the same year that was played as a curtain raiser to the NRL Indigenous All Stars game.

2020 NT Sport Award winners: NT Thunder Inclusion Team, AFL - NT Team of the Year; Timothy Few, Swimming - Eric Johnston Coach of the Year; Leanne Usher, Tennis - NT Official of the Year; Donna Hurst, Basketball - NT Volunteer of the Year; Southern Districts Cricket Club Premier Grade side - NT Local Performance of the Year; Hamish MacDonald OAM, Athletics – 2020 NT Hall of Champions; Michael McLean, AFL – 2021 NT Hall of Champions; Teri Cubillo, Basketball - 2020 NT Roll of Honour; Grant Hamon, Motorsport – 2020 NT Roll of Honour; Gordon Clarke, Hockey – 2021 NT Roll of Honour; Will Chambers, NRL – 2020 Steve Abala Role Model (Administrator’s Medal); Emma Kraft, Athletics – 2021 Steve Abala Role Model (Administrator’s Medal).