A remarkable year on the cricket field has seen Western Suburbs District Cricket Club’s Harjas Singh named the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Magpie Award, presented at the annual Magpie Sports Awards hosted by Holman Barnes Group.
Now in its 64th year, the Magpie Sports Awards are one of Holman Barnes Group’s longest-running traditions, recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of athletes, coaches, volunteers, teams and administrators from more than 30 affiliated sporting clubs across Sydney’s inner west.
Harjas was recognised following a record-breaking season in which he produced one of the greatest innings in Sydney Premier Cricket history, scoring an extraordinary 314 runs from just 141 balls against Sydney Cricket Club in October 2025.
The innings included a record 35 sixes and stands as the third-highest score ever recorded in Sydney Premier first grade cricket, behind only Victor Trumper’s 335 in 1903 and Phil Jaques’ 321 in 2007. It also remains the highest limited-overs score recorded in Australian first grade premier cricket.
A former Australian Under-19 representative and member of Australia’s Under-19 World Cup-winning squad in South Africa, Harjas also played a key role in Western Suburbs District Cricket Club’s First Grade T20 Premiership-winning season.
Holman Barnes Group CEO Daniel Paton said the Magpie Sports Awards continue to recognise the people who make community sport such an important part of the inner west.
“The Magpie Sports Awards are about much more than recognising great performances, they’re designed to celebrate the people whose dedication, commitment and passion strengthen community sport and inspire those around them,” said Daniel.
“Harjas has enjoyed an exceptional season and achieved something incredibly special, but what makes these awards so meaningful is the calibre of people we recognise every year. From volunteers and coaches to junior teams and elite athletes, every recipient represents the very best of community sport.
“For 64 years these awards have reflected Holman Barnes Group’s commitment to supporting grassroots sport and the clubs that bring our communities together. We are incredibly proud to continue that tradition.”
More than 200 guests attended the black-tie gala evening at Wests Ashfield, hosted by Stephanie Brantz, with representatives from Holman Barnes Group’s affiliated clubs, local councils, Wests Tigers, Wests APIA and the wider sporting community. Guests also enjoyed a sports panel hosted by Richard Callander featuring Wests Tigers legends Chris Lawrence, Pat Richards, Brett Hodgson and John Skandalis.
The full list of 2026 Magpie Sports Awards winners were:
- Magpie Award: Harjas Singh, Western Suburbs District Cricket Club
- Junior Magpie Award: Max Court, Wests APIA FC
- Magpie Volunteer Award: Rob Smith, Balmain Touch Association
- Junior Magpie Team Award: U12 Bulls Boys, Inner West Bulls Basketball
- Senior Magpie Team Award: UNSW Wests Magpies, UNSW Wests Water Polo Club
- Directors’ Encouragement Award: Chloe Osborn, Swimming NSW
