Jolly, McLennan unveiled as Victorian Sports Awards finalists

BMX star Josh Jolly and Wendouree Athletic Club official Stephen McLennan are in the running for honours at the Victorian Sports Awards (VSA).

Each year, the VSAs acknowledge those who have made an exceptional contribution to sport in Victoria as individual or team athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, volunteers, media and clubs, as well as initiatives that have kept people active, from both metropolitan and regional areas in Victoria.

The 2025 award winners will be announced at an awards dinner at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday 13 May.

Jolly, crowned the UCI BMX World Cup under-23 champion in the Netherlands last year, is one of four finalists in the youth athlete of the year category, while McLennan is a contender for the community official of the year.

No stranger to awards success, Jolly is a chance of making it back-to-back VSA awards, having won the young athlete of the year title last year.

His prospects were enhanced by his UCI BMX World Cup win, in which he went head-to-head with Dutchman Jason Noordam and ended the home-town hero’s streak of three consecutive titles to win the under-23 championship.

The win capped off a special day for the 19-year-old from Ballarat who strung together six victories without dropping a lap.

His 2025 season was completed by finishing first at the Golden State Nationals and Pump Track Championships before being named the PULL BMX (International) Rookie Pro of the Year.

BMX athletes have dominated the young athlete of the year award in recent times, with Geelong’s Cameron Grant claiming the honours in 2023.

Standing in the way of Jolly and more awards success are fellow finalists Milanke Haasbroek (modern pentathlon), Jack Howell (paratriathlon) and Jonah Mercieca (diving).

 

The award recognises Victorian junior athletes who have achieved outstanding results in respect to performances at a national and/or international level during the 2025 calendar year.

McLennan’s awards nomination comes little over 12 months after his Mackenzie-Valpied award win at the Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club awards night.

The award is given to the volunteer who has provided outstanding service and commitment to their chosen sport.

Willing to travel to all areas of Victoria, McLennan officiates at grassroots, state and international events in technical management and as a multi-skilled official.

He is responsible for ensuring equipment, sectors and infrastructure are ready for competition at events such as the Victorian Country Championships and the Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships.

Mentoring younger officials, McLennan has guided them to step up to state and national championships and allowed them to assume the role of technical manager with him as their assistant.

He also recently completed his World Athletics bronze referee exam.

Athletics Bendigo was quick to congratulate McLennan on his nomination.

“Steve is a regular face at athletics competitions in Ballarat but he also travels down to Melbourne regularly to officiate at other Victorian competitions, including championships and specialists events,” the organisation said in a statement on its Facebook page.

“Usually a technical official or field judge, Steve’s expertise in athletics makes him the go to guy for all things technical in Victoria.

“Last year, Steve was celebrated with the Ballarat Sportsmens’s club award for volunteering in the local community and today he is nominated at state level for his ongoing commitment to the sport.”

More than 290 nominations were received across this year’s 18 awards categories, much to the delight of Vicsport CEO Elyse Jenkins.

“Victoria is one of the best places in the world to be involved in sport. These high calibre finalists showcase the depth and breadth of talent, community spirit, passion and dedication that is alive and well across our sector,” she said.

“They provide yet another great example of the power sport has to motivate, inspire, foster connection and build belonging.

“I want to thank all the judges who took on the challenging but rewarding task of deciding this year’s finalists and I look forward to announcing the 2025 winners at the Victorian Sport Awards in May.”