The 16-year-old Bomaderry High School student is used to standing on a podium for his sharp ability in the sport, however the junior axeman award is not just decided by skill level.

Judged by the sport’s legendary world champion David Foster and other respected axemen, the junior award takes into account how the sportsman conducts themselves out of the arena and the potential they show to succeed.

Noah impressed the judges with his willingness to be involved with all aspects of the competition and his friendliness to all competitors.

The Windley family, which includes Noah, his father Peter and older brother Jack, competed at the Sydney Royal for five days over the show period, where they were tested on their underhand, standing block and relay axeman capabilities.

After moving up the junior ranks and competing in more than 10 local shows in 2014-15, this was the first time Noah competed in the open division.

He was also selected as one of the top 10 under 16s axemen to compete in the prestigious junior development competition, where he finished with a fourth overall.  

But it was the junior axeman’s award, announced on the final day of the show, which Noah said was his biggest highlight of the show.

“I was not really expecting it but was very happy when they called my name,” he said.

Noah said he would continue to compete and hoped to be selected in the NSW team next year.