Future sports stars selected

THREE teenagers have been named the first Bendigo Sports Star scholarship award winners for 2022.

Cycling young gun Belinda Bailey received the award for her big efforts on two wheels.

Bailey competed in the Santos Festival of Cycling in South Australia in February, celebrating her 17th birthday by racing against world champions and Olympians.

Earlier this month, she was announced as the only Victorian to join the Australian Cycling Team for a under 19s endurance camp in Belgium in May.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the Australian team and head over to Belgium,” she said.

“We’re heading over for a month which will include some of Europe’s greatest races, including Tour De Flanders, which is going to be really exciting.

“it’ll be my first time out of the country. It’ll be good to get out of Australia and see what racing is really like over there”

Fellow cyclist Nate Hadden, 16, was recognised for his track achievements, including winning the trifecta of the time trial, scratch race and points score to be crowned the Bendigo and District Cycling’s elite men’s track champion.

Hadden was also the highest placed Victorian rider in the under 19’s Tour of Gippsland event.

“It means a lot,” he said. “It means I’m going well with what I’m doing and it’s going to help a lot.”

This yead Hadden will race as part of the bottom aged 19s.

“It’s more of an experience year, just getting to know everyone and doing new things,” he said. “The main goal is to experience it and have fun.”

In July, Hadden will also head to Belgium as part of a developmental team and gain a feel for international racing.

Both cyclists said they will spend the money received from the scholarship on travel to Europe.

Star paddler Sophie Hughes, 14, rounds out the first Sports Star scholarship recipients for 2022.

Hughes has been competing with the Bendigo Canoe Club for about 18 months, racking up wins across the state in a variety of events.

She said it’s exciting to see her name among some of the region’s top athletes.

“It’s good to have young people who are in different sports, compared to the normal netball, footy and everything,” she said.

“It’s very exciting to think I’m with people who are also doing really well in their sport and trying hard.”

After winning in the state school’s championships, Hughes has turned her attention to the national championships, held in Sydney and Penrith on 16 to 20 May.

She said she’ll most likely use the money for travel or for better paddling equipment.