The achievement comes after a stellar year for Soldiers Point Bowling Club, which Antrum is the bowls director for, with the northern teams earning their first grade seven pennant flag, and the club hosting a Ladies Country verse Metro series among other flagship days.

It’s just the second time that the Port Stephens bowler has won the award, and the first time that he could attend the Newcastle District Presentation to receive it.

“It was really special to be there on the night, last time I won it [in 2010] I was away with the premier league so I had to send my wife to represent me,” Antram said. “It’s really nice to have something that shows all of the year’s achievements.”

It’s nearly a decade since Antram first burst onto the scene in Newcastle in 2008, but he shows no signs of slowing down.

In 2017 alone he won the Newcastle Zone 2 District Pairs Championship, and was the runner up in the Newcastle District Triples Championship and the No.1 Grade Pennant Competition.

He was also equal third in the Newcastle District Champion of Club Champions Pairs Championship.

“It was a long year, a lot goes into earning something like this and it doesn’t just happen,” he said. “You could of have an idea of if you’re going to win the award or not just because of how well you’ve been going throughout the season in team and individual competitions.”

The 46 year old has plenty of experience under his belt in his past as well, having started his career at St Mary’s where he competed for two decades before his first move.

He then spent 13 and a half years with the high-flying St Johns Park club before his switch to Nelson Bay.

The veteran champion is settled in the Newcastle Zone now, he revealed, and plans on working more with the younger generations.

“Bowls is seen as an old man’s game but at the high levels it’s just not that anymore, a lot of the younger guys can go further,” he said. “I might step away from the competitive games in the near future and look more at coaching and admin. That might suit the pace a bit better.”

Nelson Bay also claimed honours on the evening, with Geoff Prisk receiving the Encouragement Award, while Raymond Terrace’s Lachlan Freeman was named Junior Bowler of the Year.

Beresfield’s Michael Beesley was crowned Senior Bowler of the Year and New Lambton’s Stan Wrzeczycki was named Coach of the Year.