Thirty-three local athletes are vying for this year’s coveted awards.

Again in ’07-08 there are three divisions of awards – a junior section, a masters division and the overall winner, who will be crowned the Shoalhaven Sportstar of the Year.

The introduction of a masters’ division, for athletes aged 35 years and over, proved popular last year and has been continued this year.

Once again this year a junior sportstar award, a special section for under 16-year-old sportstars will be held.

Both junior and veteran athletes will be eligible to win the overall award, the Shoalhaven Sportstar of the Year.

Again this year there have been some outstanding local performances, with athletes performing at the highest level.

The final nominees are – Brad Hudson (rugby league), Rachel Reynolds (swimming), Aaron Lloyd (hockey), Beau deCasanove (judo), Michelle Whistler (triathlon), netballers Sharna Perkins and Kaitlyn Bryce, Dianne Chellew (kayaking), Lydia Upitis (volleyball), Alicia Targa (equestrienne), Sid Long (cycling), Judy Croft (lawn bowls), Shaun O’Connor (mountainbiking), Nic Maddinson (cricket), Adam Rourke (cycling), Shane Wallace (cricket), Claire Bourke (artistic rollerskating), Sam Taunton (golf), Sarah Boddington (lawn bowls), Tracey Garner (surf kayaking), Jack Mathieson (swimming), Ingrid Holland (cycling), Jenny Miller (bodybuilding), Anthea Collins (cricket), Andrew Creasey (tenpin bowling), Robbie Williams (cycling), surfing brother and sister Owen and Tyler Wright, Laura Kent (tennis), Mitchell Pritchard (tennis), Cristine Suffolk (athletics/cross-country), Sally Hunt (judo) and Amber Arazny (snowboarding).

Special guest on Friday evening will be a former Shoalhaven Sportstar of the Year and premiership winning Sydney cricketer Philip Wells.

Wells won the local award in 2005 and had an excellent 2007/08 season as a member of the St George first grade premiership winning side and their winning Poidevin Gray (under 21) team.

He was man of the match in the Poidevin Gray grand final, winning the Shane Lee Medal.

He also scored more than 500 runs in first grade at an average of 50+ despite missing five games with a broken hand.

He will be interviewed on the evening by compere Phil Lynch.

The Shoalhaven Sportstar of the Year awards are organised by the Bernie Regan Memorial Sporting Trust.

At this year’s awards night the Trust will also announce its annual grant awardees.

The grants are separate from the Sportstar awards and are a financial assistance in helping athletes achieve their future goals.