Herbert, Hume join Sports Star of the Year race

GOLFING champion Lucas Herbert and James Howe, a Mr Australia titleholder in natural bodybuilding, are joint winners for November in Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year award.

The winner of the gold statuette as Sports Star of the Year across 2020 and 2021, Herbert was in superb form at the New South Wales Open played at Murray Downs near Swan Hill.

Herbert overcame a four-shot deficit at the start of the final round to finish on 15-under and claim the title.

In superb touch on the fairways and greens, Herbert reeled in and then surged past Ripper teammate Cam Smith to claim his first professional victory on home soil.

Later in the month, Herbert teed off in the BMW Australian PGA at Royal Brisbane and the ISPS Handa Australian Open played at Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club.

After being equal leader going into the final day’s play of the Open, Herbert finished 12-under and equal fifth.

On the bodybuilding stage, James Hume capped thousands of hours training by earning the classic physique title at the PCA Australian Nationals. He was the first junior from natural bodybuilding ranks to claim the PCA Mr Australia overall crown.

A goal for the 23-year-old is to compete at next year’s Natural Olympia in the United States for a second time.

Hume’s run across 2024 included four overall and Pro Australian titles in the natural classic physique category.

Although he has no coach and no nutritionist, Hume’s workrate in the Silverback Gym and his dieting efforts have put him in the shape he’s in.

Sports Star’s latest scholarship recipient is gun netballer William Whiteacre.

The talented goaler starred for the Australian men’s open team, aka the Kelpies, as it won the Fast5 Netball World Series in Christchurch.

The 16-year-old was also on court for Australia at the under-20 Nations series in Singapore.

Whiteacre and his teammates reached the grand final, which went Fiji’s way with a final score of 55-54.

The Sports Star of the Year presentation night, which includes the induction of Tony ‘Bluey’ Southcombe to the Basil Ashman Hall of Fame, will be held at the All Seasons International on 28 February.