Roger Knauer releases book titled, 'Macleay Valley Gold', detailing the achievements of the best sporting talents from the area

Mr Knauer and the group of owners traditionally had photos and a short biography of 12 sportsmen or women featuring on the tables at the hotel, giving the title of 'the sportsman's bar' to the establishment.

The Macleay Valley has always been known for its sporting exports and the talent pool of sportsmen and women continues to grow.

Mr Knauer has always been determined to perpetuate an interest in sport throughout the Valley and ensure the achievements of locals is acknowledged.

Three years ago he began writing, 'Macleay Valley Gold', a record of the incredible achievements by sportspeople and administrators from the area.

The text details the achievements of over 190 local sports-persons, 12 sporting officials, 40 different sports and one horse, spanning from the 1870s to today.

"I've learnt so much from writing this book... I've written about people I'd previously never heard of," Knauer told the Argus.

"The enjoyment has come from talking to and meeting new people."

There wouldn't be many people more qualified to write about the sporting alumni of our Valley with Mr Knauer serving on the committees of Rovers Cricket Club, Kempsey Cowboys and Macleay Valley Mustangs.

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Whilst a lot of information details the achievements and statistics of our local athletes, it's the anecdotes that gives the book an authentic style, and at times providing a historical perspective into the difference of an athletes lifestyle.

"In research you hear the tales you can't usually read anywhere and that makes it all the more interesting," Mr Knauer said.

Whilst the text is dominated by the tales of Kempsey born athletes, Mr Knauer recounts some people have been added that weren't born in the area but developed their sporting prowess within the Valley.

The criteria for inclusion required an athlete to have represented the Macleay, been a local, achieved a national title or represented a national team.

300 copies of the book have been printed and currently around 240 have been sold.

Mr Knauer signalled an intention to do a re-print sometime in the future.

Some notable athletes discussed in the book include the Ritchie family, known as the 'Sands brothers', Greg Inglis, recent Shute Shield winning coach Darren Coleman, Harry Ball's prize colt 'Abbey' and many more.

Unfortunately, with such a plethora of athletes to include some have been missed with Mr Knauer making apology to that in the introduction.

Interestingly Mr Knauer notes Frederickton as a popular location for some of most successful athletes.

"Based on figures, Frederickton, per head, probably has the biggest representation throughout the text," he said.

Macleay Valley Gold can be bought from West Kempsey News-agency and South West Rocks News-agency for $30.