It was the night of nights for the cream of our rising athletes at the glittering NewsLocal Junior Sports Star awards held at Homebush last night.

The Team Spirit award went to the Leichhardt Saints Under 12 soccer team who collected $1000.

They won the Canterbury District division one premiership for the third year in a row and made the semi-finals of the Junior Masters Australia tournament.

More importantly, in the lead-up to the Masters Tournament they raised $5000 for their charity Good Beginnings that helps disadvantaged children get a better start in life.

They did this through busking, cake stalls and odd jobs.

The awards recognise and honour the achievements of our best up and coming performers and cover all aspects of junior sport.

A host of leading sports stars attended the evening, mingling with the nominees from the 22 NewsLocal mastheads.

Read the News article

And another

Read the announcement of Saints making the Finals