Race for sports awards opens up

THE race for honours in Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year awards for 2024 is wide open.

Chair of the Sports Star committee Sam Daykin said individuals, clubs and associations can now lodge nominations for various categories to be presented at the gala function on February 28 at the All Seasons International.

The awards recognise top achievers across a wide range of sports, not just for the past 12 months, but for decades of dedication to one or several disciplines and various clubs or associations.

Award categories are the Faith Leech Inspiration; McKern Steel Foundation-sponsored John Forbes coach/manager; Bendigo Bank community-minded award; Bendigo Health-sponsored Young Indigenous Athlete; and Agnico Eagle Fosterville Healthiest School.

First presented in 2013-14, the Faith Leech inspiration award recognises the swimming champion who struck gold in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and an inaugural inductee to the Sports Star Hall of Fame.

The legendary John Forbes from Mitiamo played a key role in sport across many pockets in central and northern Victoria.

Nominations for the awards can be made via the link on the Bendigo Sports Star webpage.

Scholarship recipients are in the running for the Maxine Crouch Trust Fund, awarded since 2002, and the Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund which began in 1982-83.

Now in its 59th year, Sports Star’s other major backers are D-Club 24/7, Hit FM 91.9 and Listnr, and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan.

Tickets for the gala night are on sale from today via the Bendigo Tourism website.