That’s why all three levels of government invest financially into sport facilities and why media organisations place an emphasis on sport coverage.

At The Examiner, we like to think we are leading the way in sport coverage that matters to our readers.

At the heart of that coverage is junior sport.

Every week we dedicate pages in our newspaper and resources for online to championing the junior sport talent and results in our community as well as statewide.

We do this because sport is more than just a game or a result.

It’s acknowledgment of resilience, perseverance and dedication. Junior sport promotes a healthy lifestyle, teamwork and encouraging friendships. 

Those who participate in sport will develop leadership skills that will add value to our community in years to come.

This is why The Examiner hosts the Junior Sports Awards, with generous support from IGA, every year and we have been doing so for more than a decade.

And we have a good record of identifying the amazing talent in our region.

Previous winners include Katelyn Fryett who is now a Tassie Roar and Hobart Hurricanes player. Ariarne Titmus, who this year represented Australia at the world swimming championships and is likely to be a 2018 Commonwealth Games participant.

Bailey Groves who is in contention to present Australia in shooting at the Commonwealth Games. And Jarrod Freeman who represents Australia in under 16/17 cricket.

And we hold the awards again next year because it’s important to encourage sport participation in our community, but not just as an athlete.

It’s important to thank the parents who become taxi drivers on a Saturday morning and stand on the sidelines in raincoats cheering their children. To recognise the coaches for volunteering their time week in week out and encouraging their charges to achieve their personal best.

Junior sport shouldn’t be reserved for those who display remarkable talent, but should encourage participation from all levels of skill and prowess.

Afterall, it’s more than a game.

Congratulations to all the award winners, finalists and everyone who contributes to junior sport in our community.