Recognition for sporting excellence

OUTSTANDING feats across 2024 on so many courses, courts, ovals, roads, pools, stages and tracks were celebrated at Friday night’s Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards.

 

A crowd of more than 350 was at All Seasons Bendigo to reflect on the year and also to honour high achievers of yesteryear and inspire the “next gen” on their sporting journey.

 

All award recipients said the incredible support from their close-knit network of family, friends and team-mates played a crucial part in achieving success and striving to be even better.

 

Among the many highs was the induction of football and basketball great Tony “Bluey” Southcombe to the Basil Ashman Hall of Fame.

 

“I was incredibly lucky to be in an era where there were so many great players and they backed my coaching 200 per cent.”

This year’s recipient of the John Forbes Coach/Manager award, sponsored by McKern Steel, was Simon Smith from Spring Gully United Soccer Club.

 

In 2024, Smith took on the role as club president and continued to coach the division one women’s team.

Spring Gully United marked a club first as League champion, Super Cup and League Cup winners.

 

Approaching his 50th year as a coach in gymnastics and sports acrobatics, John Palmer was the recipient of the Faith Leech Inspiration Award.

Thousands of students from across Bendigo and further afield have benefitted enormously from Mr Palmer’s expertise and encouragement in their sporting journey and more.

 

A group of 16 scholarship recipients were in the running for the Maxine Crouch and Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund awards.

A silver medallist at the junior world track cycling titles in China, Lilyth Jones earned the Maxine Crouch award.

 

Another gun swimmer, Henry Allan earned the Cyril Michelsen award for a second time.

Just as Jenna Strauch and Col Pearse have done, Henry will be striving to swim at the highest level one day.

 

The Bendigo Health Young Indigenous Athlete awards were awarded to Isaac Widdicombe and Hope Johnson.

Epsom Primary School was adjudged the Agnico Eagle Fosterville Healthiest School.

 

The Bendigo Bank Community Minded Award was presented to Sailability Bendigo.