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Jack Besgrove, Dallas George and Jason French honoured at Orange Sports Awards
August 23, 2023
By Peter Holmes
Jack Besgrove - a world class 19-year-old softball pitcher - has been named Sportsperson of the Year at the annual Orange Sports Awards.
A left-handed pitcher, Besgrove was part of the winning Australian team at the WBSC (World Baseball Softball Confederation) Men’s Softball World Cup in New Zealand last December.
In early 2023 he played in the Australian side that won the inaugural WBSC U23 Men’s Softball World Cup.
To top off an extraordinary purple patch, Besgrove and his New York Gremlins teammates took out the ISC (International Softball Congress) World Tournament 2023 on Monday in the US.
Besgrove was named in the ISC First Team All World and as Most Outstanding Pitcher. He also won the Newcomer Award.
Across the tournament Besgrove notched up 63 strikeouts across five games.
Orange City Council Sport & Recreation Committee chair councillor Tammy Greenhalgh announced the awards at Wednesday night’s presentation at Orange Civic Centre.
Dallas George, 15, was named as the Junior Sportsperson of the Year.
In 2022 he became the national champion at the Australian Muay Thai Championships, before travelling to Malaysia for the World Muay Thai Youth Championships, where he came away with a bronze medal.
“I’d like to congratulate each of our finalists as well as the winners,” Greenhalgh said.
“Your dedication and commitment to your sport is to be admired. Your sport takes you around
Australia, and in some cases, the world, and you are wonderful ambassadors for the City of Orange.”
Sports Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Jason French.
“This award is presented in recognition of people actively involved in the organisation, coaching or officiating of sport in the Orange district,” Greenhalgh said.
“These people are the backbone of local sporting organisations but often remain in the background and receive little recognition from the community at large.”
Jason French has spent 28 years supporting children, young people and adults into mainstream sport, with a particular focus on First Nations community members.
“Like many parents, Jason’s first involvement in coaching sport began when his children started playing soccer and football,” said Orange City Council.
“It wasn’t long before his strong interpersonal and organisational skills were recognised and he started taking on committee positions within clubs and associations.
“He moved into touch football as a player and referee and formed the first ever all First Nations Cricket Team in the local competition.”
In 2014 French was heavily involved in the establishment of Orange United Sports Club, starting with four basketball teams in the local competition.
“By 2015, the basketball program was so successful that parents and services such as the Department of Communities and Justice requested the club to offer more sports,” said council.
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