Teen kayaking star Anita Cowley has whitewashed a hot field of rivals to be named Gilmore Sportswoman of the Year at Moss Vale Services Club on Friday night.

Just a day after her 17th birthday, a shocked and visibly shaken Cowley accepted the award from Gilmore MP Jo Gash after snatching the Highlands-based elite sportswoman crown.

One of Australia's leading junior freestyle kayakers, Cowley hit the headlines last June with a stirring performance in the finals of the pre-world championships in Austria and a silver medal in the senior national titles.

But she admits that 45 seconds of adrenaline-thumping whitewater action is nothing compared to the knee trembling nerves when accepting the award.

"It was a huge surprise and I was very shaky when I got up there," she admitted.

"It was just such a shock and I was so nervous.

"But it's a big honour to win an award like this especially against such a range of talented sportspeople."

Cowley claimed the title ahead of big name nominees like Aussie hockey rep Narelle Evans, polocrosse champions Ann Anderson and Kylie Goatham as well as A-grade golfer Jocelyn Mackay.

Moss Vale Basketball's Margaret Beaumont was given the Manager Award on the night while respected mentor Jemima Finlayson won the Coaching Award for her efforts with Moss Vale Volleyball.

Polocrosse guru Ann Anderson took out the Referee/Umpire Award and Robyn Hippesley from Bundanoon Bowling Club was crowned top official.

Rosemary Tiyce from Mossy Greyhounds snared the Volunteer award while swimmer Laura Hill and hockey player Kylie Bisby shared the junior honours.

An initiative of Gilmore MP Jo Gash, the awards were established to recognize the achievements of the region's legion of female athletes and administrators.

"This is all about recognizing the talent we have here and the outstanding people that make it happen," she said.

"They are the people that make sport what it is.

"Never on a federal level have these sort of achievements been recognized and I'm proud to be involved."