Cox, 15, was rewarded for an outstanding 12 months that culminated in a record-breaking performance at this year’s winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The mogul skier joins the likes of pole-vaulter Emma George, basketballer Lauren Jackson, tennis ace Sam Groth, swimmer Clementine Stoney and shot-put Olympian Scott Martin on the honour roll.

The effervescent Scots School student won Australian hearts last month when she became our youngest winter Olympian in 50 years.

Cox qualified for the moguls final and eventually finished 23rd, impelling national selectors to label her a star of the future.

She was selected for her Olympic debut after scoring top results on the Europa Cup moguls circuit.

Cox competed in a single moguls event at Prato Leventina in Switzerland where she beat several top international performers to claim a bronze medal.

The following day she put herself in a gold medal-winning position by qualifying in first place for the dual moguls.

But Cox’s golden hopes were dashed in the next round when she lost a ski halfway through her duel with Swede Sofia Lansburgh.

Cox said she was honoured by the award and hoped the acknowledgement could put moguls skiing in the spotlight on the Border.

“Mogul skiing isn’t a sport that is that recognised in the region so I am really surprised and happy to win when there’s so many other good sportspeople up here,” Cox said.

“Hopefully this award might help others take up mogul skiing or winter sports and hopefully I can go on and take my career further.”

Tennis players Abigail Tere-Apisath and Lewis Ahern, disabled swimmer Ashlea Bennett, soccer player Ellie Brush, archer Ethan Aldred, mountain biker Katrina Rose, hockey player Jocelyn Bartram, diver Marlee Barber, footballer Lonnie Hampton, wheelchair rugby player Dylan Streller and disabled athlete Jodi Elkington were the other athletes nominated.