Encouraging the next sports stars

MEMBERS of the Ballarat Sportsmen’s Association of Australia held their annual junior encouragement awards last week at the Ballarat Golf Club.

More than 130 people attended the dinner which highlighted up-and-coming young athletes who are achieving outstanding results in their chosen sporting field.

The sportspeople celebrated were ten-year-old go-karter Archie Bristow, 14-year-old swimmer Bettina Ambrose, 15-year-old athletics star Mackayla Culvenor, 15-year-old cricketer Charli McLennan, 17-year-old triathlete Oscar Wootton, and 17-year-old tennis player Jarrod Joyce.

“The Ballarat Branch of the Sportsmen’s Association of Australia continues to support junior sport in Ballarat and the surrounding region,” Ballarat SAA secretary David Poulton said.

“In November of each year, a junior encouragement award dinner is organised where the achievements of a number of junior sportspersons are recognised.

“Our life member, Alf Clark, is responsible for overseeing the selection of recipients. As in recent years, the task has become more difficult as the number of nominees from a wide variety of sports continues to grow.

“Those attending the dinner last Wednesday were overwhelmed with not only the achievements of the young people but the commitment required to compete, train and still attend school.”

Mr Poulton said the commitment and sacrifices made by the athletes’ parents, carers, and families to support the endeavours of their young person was also to be commended.

Australian Olympic swimmer Shayne Reese was the awards night’s guest speaker, and she shared her experience of being a young professional athlete.

Each encouragement awardee received a plaque from the Ballarat SAA, and a SportsPower voucher.