After such a big 2011 of sport where the Mid-Western region, yet again, produced international competitors, national champions and sensational results, who will be crowned the best junior and senior sportsperson of the year at the Australia Day Awards?

A runner, a cricketer, a shooter, a rider and a cyclist headline this year's awards.

The winners will be announced tomorrow night at the Mid-Western Regional Council's Australia Day Awards at Mudgee's Robertson Park.

A leading contender for the senior sportsperson of the year category is shooter Jake Mackenzie.

Mackenzie took his shooting to a whole new level in 2011.

He competed at the world titles in France and became the number one junior shooter in Australia.

But it's not always the person who shines on the national or international stage that gets the award.

The award recognises local involvement just as heavily as national and international success.

Gulgong cricketer Mark Gorrie is listed for his contribution to the sport.

Without a shadow of a doubt Gorrie has been one of Gulgong's most consistent and best cricketers in the past decade.

The Gulgong captain has scored plenty of runs and taken a truckload of wickets at club and representative levels.

It could be an Australia Day to remember for Gorrie if his Gulgong team win the Australia Day Challenge against Mudgee and he picks up the senior sportsperson of the year award.

The junior category is just as difficult to predict as the seniors.

Cross Country runner Cody Lawson, cyclist Ayden Toovey and equestrian rider Will Hupp are in line for the award.

Hupp, from Gulgong, has won many national and state equestrian titles and often mixes it up with the best trainers Australia has to offer.

Toovey had a stellar career on the bike.

Bursting onto the cycling scene, the Mudgee product took out the Tour of New Caledonia event in October while riding for a NSW Institute of Sport development squad.

Not to be outdone, Lawson became the first Hargraves Public School student in nine years to compete at the PSSA state cross country championships.

Lawson was also selected for Western in the primary open touch football team.

The awards will be announced from 6pm.