Indigenous talent in running for new award

BENDIGO’S Sports Star of the Year has introduced some new award categories to cover 2020 and ’21.

The inaugural Bendigo Health-sponsored Young Indigenous Sports Star award will be part of the gala presentation next February.

The longest running awards of its type in the country, Bendigo Sports Star and Bendigo Health have teamed up to recognise the outstanding contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to sport in Australia.

The award also celebrates the power of sport to promote reconciliation and reduce inequality.

Bendigo Sports Star is keen to support a diverse sporting sector that is inclusive of, and accessible to Indigenous Victorians.

The Indigenous Sports Star Award recognises young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes who are achieving great things in their sport and are up and coming athletes of the future.

Bendigo Health will provide $1500 to two Indigenous athletes who have demonstrated sporting excellence and a commitment to career development.

The funding will contribute towards coaching and participation to assist athletes to keep pursuing their sporting ambitions.

Sports Star has invited community members to take the opportunity to nominate an Indigenous athlete that they believe displays these qualities.

Through the nomination process you are asked to tell the award judges why you believe your chosen athlete should win the Bendigo Health-sponsored Young Indigenous Sports Star award for 2022.

You are also asked to provide an example of how your nominated athlete has demonstrated a commitment to sporting development and will benefit from sponsorship support to chase their sporting goals.

Other awards include the Bendigo Bank Community Minded Award.

Bendigo Bank will provide $3000 to the most community minded sporting team/club in the Bendigo region.

The John Forbes Award for coach/manager honours a long-time member of the Sports Star of the Year panel and legend of Mitiamo and beyond.

Sponsored by the McKern Foundation, this award is for a coach or manager who has given outstanding service to a club, association or organisation.

Nominations for these three awards can be lodged via the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year website. Follow the links.

Finalists for Sports Star of the Year being run across 2020 and ’21 include golfing ace Lucas Herbert, Olympic swimmer Jenna Strauch, Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines, Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse, and Olympic basketballer Matt Dellavedova.

Also in the running are cricketers Tayla Vlaeminck and Todd Murphy, cyclist Alessia McCaig, and cheerleader Madeline Theobald.