JACK Brooks will bid to make it third time lucky and Bradley Smith will go for a hat-trick of wins at this year’s Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

The shortlists for the 2015 event are released this morning, with the duo again appearing in the sportsman of the year category, alongside cycle speedway rider Zac Payne.

Smith, the MotoGP star who lies sixth in the championship standings, is a two-time winner of the award.

Brooks, instrumental in helping Yorkshire County Cricket Club to a second successive championship title, has twice before been on the shortlist, but has yet to land the top prize.

Payne, who rides for Horspath Hammers, was crowned the 2015 British champion, and earned a call-up to the Great Britain side.

The sportswoman of the year award sees Oxford United goalkeeper Demi Lambourne, Great Britain three-day eventer Izzy Taylor and archer Nichola Simpson go for glory.

However, it is the junior sportsperson award that caused the greatest headache for the judging panel.

With more than double the entries of any other category, nominees had to survive four cuts in order to make the shortlist – with a top four rather than three being announced, such was the competition.

Harwell’s Ben Goodall has been selected to compete for Great Britain’s under 18 tumbling squad in the World Cup in Portugal, having won silver in the British Championships.

Polly Hitchens, who like Goodall is based at Wantage’s King Alfred’s Academy, has been selected for the senior Great Britain gymnastics team after starring in the English Championships.

Oxford City athlete Jade O’Dowda won the National Under 17 Heptathlon Championships and also the South of England Indoor Pentathlon Championships, despite being only 15.

Banbury triathlete Rosie Weston won the British Sprint Championships in May, before finishing as the first British runner in the World Championships in Chicago in September.

Didcot Netball Club’s Julie McDermaid is shortlisted for coach of the year, as is Nikki Woodward, from Abingdon Gymnastics Club - who could complete a double success after being named in the club of the year shortlist.

Jeremy Bristoe, of Witney Wolves Rugby Club, completes the line-up.

The winners will be announced at the awards night, held at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium on Friday, November 27.

Tickets for the event, priced at £40 for adults and £20 for under 18s are now on sale, with more information available at oxspa.co.uk or by calling Zoe O’Neill on 01865 252676.

SHORTLIST

Sportsman of year
Jack Brooks (cricket)
Zac Payne (cycle speedway)
Bradley Smith (MotoGP)

Sportswoman of year
Demi Lambourne (football)
Nichola Simpson (archery)
Izzy Taylor (equestrian)

Club of year
Abingdon Gymnastics Club
Banbury & District Canoe Club
Thame Town Cricket Club

Team of year
Oxford City Lions Futsal
Oxford School of Gymnastics
Oxford University Women’s Archery team

Coach of year
Jeremy Bristoe (rugby)
Julie McDermaid (netball)
Nikki Woodward (gymnastics)

Junior sportsperson
Ben Goodall (gymnastics)
Polly Hitchens (gymnastics)
Jade O’Dowda (athletics)
Rosie Weston (triathlon)

Junior sports team
City of Oxford swimming
Didcot Girls School Under 15 football
Oxford Academy football

Disability award
Minster Lovell Cricket Club
Richard Thomson (bocchia)
Witney Wolves (rugby)

Unsung hero
Nigel Boulter (football)
Gary Dent (ice hockey)
Ann Workman (athletics)
      
Young Volunteer
Bel Lovell (rugby)
Nicholas Pinhol (cricket)
Chloe Smart (football & ice hockey)

Sporting school
Blessed George Napier
King Alfred’s Academy
Sunningwell Primary
Whitchurch Primary

(The shortlist was chosen by a judging panel from all teams/individuals nominated)

The Oxford Mail is an official media partner, with the awards run by Oxfordshire Sport & Physical Activity