Multi-talented teens earn scholarships

TALENTED teens in athletics and cycling respectively, Fletch Watchman and Maddie Douglas are the first scholarship recipients in Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year awards for 2026.

Both started the year in top form at state championship level and have bigger campaigns to look forward to next month and as the year rolls on.

As scholarship recipients, Watchman and Douglas also receive a 12-month membership at D-Club Development and Fitness.

Watchman clocked a personal best of 6135 points as he won Athletics Victoria’s under-20 decathlon in January.

One of many young guns in Eaglehawk Athletics Club’s squad, Watchman finished almost 600 points clear of his nearest rival in the 10-discipline contest.

Watchman competed at last weekend’s Victorian field and track championships at South Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.

A highlight was silver in the under-20 100m hurdles where Watchman hit the line in 15.12 seconds.

He also competed in discus and pole vault.

Watchman’s focus now switches to Australian Athletics national titles to be held at Sydney’s Olympic Park where he will contest the under-20 decathlon.

A two-day showdown begins with the 100m and will be followed by long jump, shot put, high jump and 400m.

Day two kicks off 110m hurdles which is one of Watchman’s strongest events.

Next up will be discus and then pole vault, javelin and 1500m.

After a hectic run of racing criteriums and stage races on the road, Maddie Douglas returned to the track this week to represent Victoria in the under-19 class at Cycling Australia’s track nationals.

Douglas was among a strong contingent of riders selected from Bendigo and Castlemaine to compete for the Big V at Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane.

Top achievements by Douglas in February included winning the under-19 keirin at Cycling Victoria’s state track titles.

Douglas also starred at the state criterium titles.

As an under-19 development rider with Meridian Bikebug, Douglas also raced in the Tour of Tasmania and also competed in several rounds of the ProVelo Super League.

Douglas and several Meridian team-mates will be bound for Belgium for this year’s racing stint where they will be based in Ghent.