Wines inspiring country kids

NO stranger to awards, Port Adelaide Football Club star and 2021 Brownlow Medalist Ollie Wines has taken out the Bendigo Sports Star Award for September.

Born in Echuca, Wines studied at Goulburn Valley Grammar School and played in the TAC Cup, now the NAB League, for the Bendigo Pioneers before beidng drafted by Power in 2012.

Wines said its “super special” to have had the support of his home town over the course of his career.

“The local community, whether its wider Bendigo or particularly Echuca it’s always been big to me and big in my journey,” he said.

“To be recognised there is pretty special. I’ve still got a lot of ties back home obviously and I’m looking forward to, in the future, getting home and showing the Brownlow off and letting all the kids that aspire to do hat to have a look and see that anything’s possible.”

The midfielder said Echuca was “abuzz” at the height of the AFL finals series, with hometown heroes Jack Viney and Clayton Oliver winning the premiership with the Melbourne Demons.

He said for kids to see people from their regional towns be successful is a big motivator.

“I’ve been in their position at times and in the country we perhaps think we don’t have as many opportunities as the kids down in the city, and to be honest that’s probably fair at times and with the travel and everything we’ve got to contend with it’s certainly a lot harder,” he said.

“I think for these kids that are aspiring, not only in football but any sport or profession, to see people being successful, it’s only going to continue to harvest that belief and drive kids.”

His main message for boys and girls aspiring to make it to the highest level? “Have a goal and stick to it.”

“You don’t have to take things too seriously at a young age, enjoy your sport, or your study or whatever you’re doing,” he said. “There’s always opportunities coming from where we are and nothing’s too big to dream of.”