Albany Sportsperson of the Year: Sharpshooter Steve Hurley claims tenth award after winning first veteran gong

Sound Life Financial Services Veteran Albany Sportsperson of the Year winner and shooting stalwart Steve Hurley said he was more thrilled with the return of the prestigious awards night than adding a tenth honour to his decorated cabinet. Hurley garnered a staggering four nominations in successive months from May to August after winning gold medals at various State and national events. In 2023 he was crowned the International Lever Action Postal Shoot Champion and claimed gold in the Australian Lever Action Rifle Classic Calibre and Open postal shoots. Hurley was the NSW Lever Action Rifle two-gun champion after winning both the open and classic calibre shoots. In the WA titles, Hurley was again the two-gun champion after winning gold in both the classic calibre and lever action competitions. During his brilliant year Hurley also set a number of new records, including breaking the previous national classic calibre open score. The sharp-shooter has previously won the senior title seven times and the top gong twice. He beat AFL over-50s Masters All-Australian and MVP Ian Beeck, shot put gold medallist Barb Wilson, lawn bowls star Leila Mann and speedway State champion Bill Beeck to claim the major award. The 54-year-old said although he was appreciative of winning the title, he took more comfort in seeing the return of the relaunched awards on February 15. “It’s nice to win an accolade and stuff but I’m actually happier to see that the event’s back up and going again,” Hurley said. “It’s a pinnacle of the sporting season and yeah, I’m pretty excited about having won a few and it’s nice to be acknowledged, but it doesn’t make you any better than the next person. “It’s nice to see the sporting community getting back together and the Albany Sportsperson of the Year back on track because I think it’s very important for the sporting community in Albany.” Reflecting on a dominant 2023 State championships, Hurley said his triumphant two successive decades in Albany was the true highlight of his year. “On a personal level for me, I’ve won the Albany Lever Action Rifle Club’s champion rifler for 20 years straight,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of national champions and good shooters from our club. “To win 20 years straight is honestly the highlight of my year.” Hurley missed the 2023 Australian titles after suffering a knee injury but has already set his sights on this year’s championships. “I didn’t get there in 2023 which was a bit of bad luck because of the knee,” he said. “I was a defending Australian three-gun champion and I’ve won consecutively for a long period of time. “I’m at the top of my sport at the moment and I love this sport, and I enjoy it. “The Australian titles are in Townsville and I will be there barring anything major.“