Vic Sport Awards recognise a Jolly good effort

BMX rider Josh Jolly has been named a finalist in the rebel Young Athlete of the Year category of the Victorian Sport Awards.

In 2024, the Ballarat Sebastopol Rush BMX Club member won the junior elite world championship title, and the national junior elite and superclass championships.

“It is great to be recognised for my achievements by the Victorian Sport Awards,” Jolly said.

“It means a lot to me as I have pride representing Victoria while racing overseas.”

Jolly said all his hard work is paying off.

“Knowing I can match it with the best in the world is a great achievement,” he said.

“This year I decided to turn pro in USA and street up with the big boys.

“They are all very fast.

“I was hoping to do OK in that class but to my surprise I won some heat races and the semi-final, and made the final on my first day finishing fifth.

“I’m looking forward to racing the world cups in Europe in June in the under-23 class.”

Ballarat athletics volunteer and official Stephen McLennan is up for Community Official of the Year.

There are 18 categories in the awards, which highlight excellence in sport and recreation across the state.

Individual and team athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, media personnel and projects will be celebrated, alongside Victorian Olympians and Paralympians from Paris 2024.