DUAL State schoolboys representative Mason Kelman has capped a momentous 2024 by taking out the coveted Port Stephens Primary Schools Sportsperson of the Year award.

It was a double celebration for the twelve-year-old powerhouse forward after also being named the top sportsperson at Anna Bay Public School.

Young Mason created history earlier this year when he became the first athlete from the Port Stephens region to represent the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association in two different sports during the same year.

The emerging prop forward from One Mile Beach was one of the best players for the Sky Blues at the National Primary Schools Rugby League Championships in Canberra back in August.

Mason turned in dynamic performances to help NSW finish joint champions with Queensland after both sides salvaged a 24-all draw in the trophy decider.

Blessed with raw power and natural ball skills, the strapping Kelman also gained selection in the NSW Schoolboys rugby squad that attended a two-day camp at the NSW Waratahs Centre of Excellence at Kensington.

The Anna Bay colt demonstrated his incredible versatility by also representing Hunter as a fullback at the State AFL Primary Schools Championships in Albury and the Hunter Wildfires at the Junior State Cup Rugby titles at Camden.

An elated Kelman told News Of The Area that being named the region’s number one primary schools athlete was “a huge honour.”

‘It has been an amazing year for myself in representative sport and one that I won’t forget in a hurry,” he said.

“I feel so proud to have picked up such a prestigious award and want to thank my coaches and teammates for their tremendous support.”

Away from his school commitments, the strong running prop stepped up an age group to help the Nelson Bay Gropers Under 13s reach the Hunter Junior Rugby fifteens per side and Spring Sevens finals.

When he’s not running around making an impact in rugby league, union or AFL you’ll find the rising star fooling defences with the Nelson Bay Neptunes representative touch football squads.

By Chris KARAS