A young martial arts expert who made a national team and one of the world’s top softball pitchers have taken out the top prizes at the annual Orange Sports Awards.
Orange City Council Sport & Recreation Committee chair Cr Tammy Greenhalgh announced the awards at Wednesday night’s presentation at the Civic Centre.
19 year old Orange softballer, Jack Besgrove, who played in Australia’s winning World Cup game over Canada, only weeks after completing his HSC, has taken out the Sportsperson of the Year Award.
Currently in the United States competing in the International Softball Congress World Tournament, Besgrove, took out the award after leading the Aussie Steelers (national men’s all-age team) to victory in the 2022 Softball World Cup.
Dallas George, 15 was awarded the ‘Junior Sports person of the Year’ prize. In 2022 he became the National Champion at the Australian Muay Thai Championships, before travelling to Malaysia for the World Muay Thai Youth Championships. He took on the world’s best Muay Thai exponents in the 14-15 years division and came away with a bronze medal.
“I’d like to congratulate each of our finalists as well as the winners,” Cr Tammy Greenhalgh said. “Your dedication and commitment to your sport is to be admired. Your sport takes you extensively around Australia, and in some cases, the world, and you’re all wonderful ambassadors for the City of Orange.”
Wednesday night’s presentation also saw the awarding of the ‘Sports Volunteer of the Year’ to local resident, Jason French.
“This Award is presented in recognition of people actively involved in the organisation, coaching or officiating of sport in the Orange District,” Cr Greenhalgh said. “These people are the backbone of local sporting organisations but often remain in the background and receive little recognition from the community at large.”
Jason French has dedicated countless hours over the last 28 years supporting children, young people and adults into mainstream sport with a particular focus on our First Nations community members.
Like many parents, Jason’s first involvement in coaching sport began when his children started playing soccer and football. It wasn’t long before his strong interpersonal and organisational skills were recognised and he started taking on committee positions within clubs and associations.
He moved into touch football as a player and referee, and formed the first ever all First Nations Cricket Team in the local competition.
In 2014, Jason was the driving force behind the establishment of Orange United Sports Club, starting with 4 basketball teams in the local competition. By 2015, the basketball program was so successful that parents and services such as Department of Communities and Justice requested the Club to offer more sports.
Through Jason’s dedication, endless enthusiasm and the Sports Club has continued to grow with Netball, Athletics, Hockey, Rugby League and League Tag being added.
