Barwon Sports Academy crown 2024 champions

WORLD junior sailing champion Josh Garner has taken home top honours at the 2024 Barwon Sports Academy Awards.

The 15-year-old Leopold resident was awarded the Lee Troop Award for Excellence on Monday evening.

 

The 17th annual awards evening celebrated the achievements of the Barwon Sports Academy’s 133 athletes across baseball, beach volleyball, golf, tennis, netball, sailing, swimming and more.

It also featured special guest interviews with current Australian water polo captain Blake Edwards and champion Diamonds player Madi Browne.

 

The top award on the evening was taken home by Garner, who finished first in the state, national and world sailing championships in 2024 and was also the international team captain for Australia.

BSA chief executive officer Cameron Loftus congratulated Garner on his tremendous success.

“Josh Garner is an exceptional talent. He has achieved incredible results on the water but all reports continue to include the professional manner in which he represents himself, his club and his family.

“Winning the Lee Troop award is a wonderful effort and adding the BSA Ambassador of the Year award to his cabinet is something he can be very proud of.”

Chris Crabbe was awarded the Ross Synot Award in recognition of service to the BSA.

“Congratulation to Chris Crabbe,” Mr Loftus said.

“This recognises outstanding achievement to the academy. Twelve years as program manager has seen Chris lead the way in sport development.

“He has ensured the golf program is the leading pathway program in regional Victoria.”

 

Mr Loftus thanked all businesses and local councils for supporting the academy.

“We are very fortunate to be able to provide the rich array of services to athletes in their developing years.”

Other award winners included:

BSA Ambassador Award, sponsored by TAC – Josh Garner (Sailing) and Noah Schammer (Golf)

Baseball Graeme Lloyd Best Athlete Award – Jordan Ellis

Baseball Development Award – Flynn Scargill

Beach Volleyball Best Athlete Award – Brock Warren

Beach Volleyball Development Award – Ellie Jury

Golf Campbell Muller Best Athlete Award – Ben Bowers

Golf Development Award – Sophie Johnson

Netball Susan Meaney Best Athlete Award – Leni Hepburn and Estelle Stephens

Netball Development Award – Willow McInnes

Tennis Best Athlete Award – Minami Tan

Tennis Development Award – Hazel Kadera

Sailing Best Athlete Award – Josh Garner

Sailing Development Award – Charley Stephens

Swimming Peter Doak Best Athlete Award – Zahlie Snijders

Swimming Development Award – Evie Lee and James Logan

Paralympics Aust Kelly Cartwright Best Athlete Award – Mitch Bond

Paralympics Aust Development Award – Arlo Shawcross

Individual Scholarship Holder Richard Colman Best Athlete Award – Will Nieuwenhuis

Individual Scholarship Holder Development Award – Summer Marange

For more information, head to barwonsportsacademy.org.au