Eight in running for Forbes award

EIGHT outstanding sporting coaches and managers are in the running for the 2023 John Forbes Award.

The winner will be announced at the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year gala presentation night on Friday, February 17 at Bendigo’s All Seasons Resort Hotel.

The McKern Steel Foundation-backed award drew plenty of nominations in its second year.

From Mitiamo, John Forbes left an indelible mark as a committee member for Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year, and on sport across the country through his work for Puma.

Inaugural recipient of the John Forbes Award for outstanding service by a coach/manager to a club, association or organisation was Peter Raeburn from Epsom Football Club.

This year’s nominees have shone in all sorts of disciplines.

Some are multiple championship and premiership winners, but most importantly, all have had a major impact on development of individuals and teams.

The 2023 John Forbes Award finalists are Rebecca Berry from the Strathfieldsaye Colts United Football Club, Emma Carmody from Palmers Gymnastics, Tamara Gilchrist from Sandhurst Football Netball Club, Craig Graham of the Bendigo Eaglehawk Badminton Association, Terry Hicks from Eaglehawk Athletics Club, Sharon McColl at the AFL Central Victoria and Bendigo Umpires Association, Noel Sens from the Bendigo and District Cycling Club and Seb Smith of the Falcons Baseball Club.

Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year began in 1965-66 and is the longest running of its type in the country.

The night of nights of central Victorian sport will include presentations to the monthly and overall winner/s of Sports Star of the Year plus scholarship recipients and the naming of the Maxine Crouch and Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund recipients.

Athletes will also be inducted to the Basil Ashman Hall of Fame.

The Faith Leech Achievement award, the Bendigo Bank Community award, Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine-sponsored Healthiest Schools award, Bendigo Health Young Indigenous award and the titular Bendigo Sports Star of the Year will all be announced as well.