With winter sport coming to a conclusion and teams now getting themselves organised for summer activities now is an opportune time to reflect on the success Cootamundra enjoyed during the colder months.

For a minority it was a forgettable season with the possibility of better things to come.

The Cootamundra Bulldogs had a lean season but from a future viewpoint had to be pleased with the effort from their reserve grade side which made it to the elimination semi finals.

The Dogs recorded their first and only win of 2019 late in the season but at least have something to build on for season 2020.

From all reports the effort was evident but luck, bounce of the ball and injuries were against the team at different times during the season.

It will take a few seasons for the talent to get to senior level but on the junior front the Dogs were represented by seven teams in the Group Nine Northern Pool semi final series with the 11s successful.

For senior players of the round ball sport it was also a long season with the Strikers now also looking forward to better times.

Again, on the junior front the future looks bright with Cootamundra taking out both the 12/13s and 14/15s titles.

In the 12/13s grand final Cootamundra provided both grand finalists.

The Cootamundra Blues AFL side will lament falling at the final hurdle, losing the 2019 AFL Canberra grand final to Belconnen and the right to call themselves Cootamundra's Team of the Year.

The Blues went down 6-10-46 to 4-14-38 in a low scoring match, inaccuracy in front of goals proving costly with the side slotting 14 behinds.

The loss shouldn't take away from what was obviously an outstanding season which saw the Blues undefeated until the decider.

They were clearly the best team in the competition until then.

On the day they weren't crowned title holders but if an award was given out for team of the year they undoubtedly would have been on the dais.

The Cootamundra Tri Colours rugby union side walks away with the Team of the Year award. The Tri Colours entered the semi finals undefeated.

When it came to grand final day the Tri Colours proved unstoppable, running out 55-12 winners over the Harden Red Devils.

The Blues must have lamented having to play their decider away from home after dominating all season.

In contrast the Tri Colours enjoyed a massive home town support, hosting the decider.

The ease of their victory, however, suggests it wouldn't have mattered where the match was played.

On the junior Cootamundra rugby looks well placed with the Bears under 10s and 14 both successful in their grand finals

Another contender for Team of the Year had to be the Under 16 Cougars basketball team.

Led by the promising Amelia Hassett the Cougars qualified for the under 16 state championships.

Despite not recording a win at the championhips the girls showed they can compete at the highest level and upset teams representing much larger centres on their way to the titles.

On an individual front Hassett was selected to participate in the Australian Development camp at Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence.

Hassett has progressed through Cootamundra's junior system and plays senior basketball for the Wagga Blaze.

Cootamundra juniors were to the fore in National Premier League soccer competitions representing the Wagga City Wanderers.

Six Cootamundra girls, Anisa Rees, Francesca Scott, Breanna Logue, Zara English, Piper Scott and Erin Holland played at semi final level in the elite Canberra competition.

In the Under 20 men's competition Lachlan Cook flew the flag for Cootamundra coming home with a premiership trophy.

Our lawn bowlers proved they were the best grade 6 pennant team in Zone 8 but then had to contend with greens running much faster than those at the home rink in the South West District and Zone 8 games.

"Our fellas weren't able to adapt, as we play on ten-second greens," Greg Fisher said of the 19 second conditions the team faced.

"One day will fly the state flag," he added.

Not a winter sport for most country centres, Cootamundra swimmers showed the benefit of having access to a year round facility on more than one occasion during the winter months.

Lucy Smirl, at just 11 years of age, achieved a qualifying time to take part in the Country Regional Short Course championships held at the Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre in July.

Although not from Cootamundra, the local swimming club celebrated the success of Grenfell's Tom Robinson who used Cootamundra as a training base during winter. Tom swam at the Australian All Schools Championship finishing seventh in the 50 metre freestyle.

Cootamundra swimmers also took part in the Southern Inland Short Course meet in Griffith as well as a Development Meet in July at the Australian Institute of Sport.

In another highlight the swimmers received coaching from Aussie stars James Magnussen and Kurt Herzog.