The Berrima District Sports Awards announcements are back underway for 2017.
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The Highlands best sporting talent has been recognised for the month of January for both junior and senior sports stars.
The senior monthly award winner for January was awarded to cyclist Tirian McManus.
While some of us were gradually psyching ourselves up to begin our new-years-resolution exercise regime, McManus was flying out to Germany to compete in the Berlin 6 Day series.
The event began in 1909 and races include the traditional, international pacemaker race, a derby and a sprint race.
It is rare to get an invitation to this elite event, however McManus and his team mate Joshua Harrison received an invitation through the Australian Institute of Sport as a result of their outstanding results at the Oceania and National Track Championships held in December, 2016.
Tirian can only compare the atmosphere at the six-day event as performing at a massive music festival.
More than 30 thousand fans packed the stadium and cheered on the 24 teams from nine countries, that raced from 6pm to 3am each night.
He and Joshua were thrilled to win some of the stages in such elite company.
Unfortunately, McManus broke his collar bone on the last night of racing which meant that his German stay was extended as he spent the next week in hospital.
He is now back on the bike training for the International Track Series which will be held in July in Melbourne.
The junior monthly award winner for January was given to Kiara Rochaix.
Rochaix spent some of her January school holidays touring the UK with the Australian School Girls Football Team.
The team played the national teams of England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland as well as some youth development teams.
Kiara started playing football at the age of seven with Bowral United and hopes to study and play in the UK when she completes her schooling.
The Year 11 Oxley College student recently spoke at a Rotary breakfast where she told the audience that when she is not playing football, she is thinking about football, watching football games, analysing tactics or writing match reports and articles.
With this level of passion, the Highlands will be hearing a lot more about Kiara’s football adventures.
Highlanders have been reminded by the BDSA committee to nominate the Highlands best sports stars. To nominate an athlete, email bdsawards1@gmail.com.