Youth athletes recognised

Future: Sportsmen’s Association of Australia Junior Encouragement Award winners Nic Howard, Tazmin Forrest, Duncan McPherson from the Women’s Cancer Foundation, Shannyn Bourke and Sophie Kurzman. Photo: SUPPLIED

THE Ballarat branch of the Sportsmen’s Association of Australia have given out their Junior Encouragement Awards for 2018 to a diverse range of young athletes.

Among the recipients is an archer, a martial artist, a skate boarder and a lawn bowler.

The awards were presented by the Ballarat Branch of the SAA at the dinner held at the Ballart Golf Club on Wednesday, 21 November.

Winners were Tazmin Forest, a triple gold medallist at the World Archery Oceania Continental Championships.

National taekwondo team member Shannyn Brook.

Lawn bowler Sophie Kurzman, who represented Victoria at the Australian Under-18 Championships.

Australian Gymnastics Championship gold medal winner Nic Howard.

Equestrian rider Mikayla Hogg, the only Australian to compete at the 2018 Russian Friendship Games.

Lastly, there was skateboarder Brad Saunders, who rode street at the Sydney X-Games in October.

The awardees received a plaque from the Association and $50 voucher from INTERSPORT Ballarat.

Guest speaker for the evening was the managing director of Women’s Cancer Foundation Duncan McPherson.

The Junior Encouragement Awards are just one event on the SAA calendar that also includes the Central Highlands Football League Rookie of the Year award as well as harness racing and bowls nights.

For more information about the Ballarat branch of the Sportsmen’s Association of Australia contact Bill Wilkins on 0428 383 992.