JULY: Kelly Richards (lawn bowls)

Kelly Richards was the queen of the greens in 2014.

The Raymond Terrace Bowling Club member started by completing a clean sweep of the Newcastle women’s district titles – singles, pairs, triples and fours.

The 23-year-old from Thornton then followed it up by becoming the first person to claim the full complement of women’s trophies at regional level.

This was topped off with state crowns in singles and triples, adding to the pairs and fours awards she had already collected in 2011.

Throw in district and regional flags for the No.1 Grade pennants team and it was certainly a year to remember for Richards. 

AUGUST: Maddi Elliott (swimming)

Maddi Elliott exploded back onto the international sporting stage in 2014 on a magical night in Glasgow.

The 15-year-old from Gillieston Heights was the star of Tallocross International Swimming Centre when she claimed a Commonwealth Games gold medal in world record time. 

Elliott won the women’s Para Sport 100 metres freestyle in one minute and 5.32 seconds, which comple­ments the S8 50m freestyle world record she already held.

The country’s youngest Paralympic medallist went on to claim three gold and four silver at the Pan Pacific Para Championships in the US after becoming one of, if not, the youngest OAM recipient on Australia Day. 

SEPTEMBER: Shane Tritton and Lauren Panella (harness racing)

The Keinbah couple went where no one from the country harness ­racing had gone before.

Trainer Shane Tritton and driver Lauren Panella became the first from the state’s regional area to claim NSW Metropolitan premierships.

Tritton and Panella won the 2013-2014 titles with 44 and 49 ­victories recorded at Menangle during the season respectively.

Panella became the first woman to lift the trophy.

The dynamic duo also clinched the Newcastle crowns with 96 and 62 salutes respectively. It was Tritton’s fifth straight title and Panella’s first.

OCTOBER: Isaac Heeney (Australian rules)

The Maitland region has been home to rugby league, rugby union and football players plying their trade at the top level.

The city can now lay claim to an Australian rules prospect.

Black Hill’s Isaac Heeney became the first from the Maitland region to make the grade using the red Sherrin after being picked up in the AFL draft. 

Heeney, part of the AIS squad again last year, was pick No.17 for the Sydney Swans and has been touted as one of the best up and ­comers in the league.

Earlier in the year, Heeney earned the division 2 most valuable player award at the under-18 National AFL Championships.

NOVEMBER: Toby Price (endurance motorcycle)

The career of Toby Price could well have ended in 2013 when a race crash left him requiring surgery on fractured vertebrae.

But after mustering the courage to get back on the bike, the 27-year-old Aberglasslyn endurance motorcycle rider ­experienced the most rewarding season of his life.

Price won the Finke and Hattah desert double for the third time in his career before picking up another Australian Off-Road Championships.

He capped it all off representing his country at the International Six Day Enduro – taking out the E3 class and finishing second overall.

DECEMBER: Mollie Gray (rugby union)

The Farley product is one step closer to realising an Olympic dream but it’s not in the swimming pool or on the athletics track.

Mollie Gray is on the rugby sevens trail and the 25-year-old was given a welcome boost late last year when she received a contract from the Australian Rugby Union.

She was added to the squad, who are aiming for Rio 2016 when the sport debuts at the Games.

Earlier in 2014 Gray earned higher representative honours and was part of the national XV-a-side team in France playing at her first women’s rugby World Cup.

2014 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year senior nominees (Jan-June) | PHOTOS