60th Bendigo Sports Star of the Year Awards

Best of the best drawn from many pockets

THE 60th Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards brought together many of the city’s best who are now dotted across many pockets of the country for a night to remember.

 

High achievers in pursuits as diverse as netball, rowing, golf, cycling, athletics, rifle shooting, duathlon, BMX, basketball, swimming, bodybuilding, boxing, soccer, baseball, hockey and many more were among a crowd of more than 400 for last Friday night’s celebration at The All Seasons.

 

Gold and glitter was the theme to mark the milestone instalment of the awards, which have grown over the years to recognise and reward coaches and managers, volunteers, emerging stars, and the greats of days gone by.

Since it began six decades ago, the sports star awards program has celebrated high-achievers in many disciplines.

 

Whether it be in or on the water, ring, courts, ovals, tracks, tables, range, greens, fairways, roads or mat, the Bendigo region has produced many greats.

A list of 46 winners of gold as Sports Star of the Year includes champions from 22 sports.

 

There are so many factors behind success, but three key ingredients that were talked about by many recipients were belief, commitment and support.

Before announcing Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year for 2025, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan spoke about the vast network behind every journey the latest award recipients are on, and acknowledged the support from those who inspired them.

 

Ms Allan said talent, investment, and the sense of “having a go” have been among the strengths of a city that has unearthed so much sporting talent year after year.

Dyson nets gold in 60th sports star awards.

 

A high-flying guard with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA, Bendigo-born and raised Dyson Daniels struck gold at the 60th presentation of Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year awards.

Many previous winners of the top honour were in the crowd when Ms Allan declared Dyson as the Bendigo region’s top sports star of the 2025 year.

 

Existing commitments with Atlanta meant Dyson could not be at the event, but proud parents Ricky and Brikita accepted the gold statuette before video of Dyson’s acceptance speech was beamed on the big screens.

The first Australian to earn the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2024-25 season and second in voting for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year are among many accolades Dyson has earnt.

 

“This award means a lot to me. Bendigo will always be home,” the newest inductee to an elite group said.

Younger brother Dash was in the Sports Star race of 2025, while older brother Kai has focused on football.

Teammates, coaches, friends, teachers and even babysitters were on the thank you list.

 

Dyson also said that belief was a key factor, not just on the basketball court but in any sport, career and life.

It was more than just Dyson’s success the Daniels clan celebrated, as the ceremony also marked Ricky’s 54th birthday.

It was also 26 years since he proposed to Brikita at the Sports Star of the Year presentation.

 

The 50th inductee to the Basil Ashman Hall of Fame was the late Graham Arthur from Hawthorn, Sandhurst and Echuca football clubs.

Meanwhile, decades of outstanding service to the South Bendigo Football Netball Club earnt Ron Hiatt the Faith Leech Inspiration Award.

 

And many years spent on and off the pool deck by Anne Sherman of the Bendigo East Swimming Club were recognised by her being named the McKern Steel John Forbes Coach/Manager award recipient.

The Bendigo Health Young Indigenous Athlete awards were presented to Chelsea Korp, netball;