Young crew rows into history books

ROWERS Katie Jackson and Lucy Richardson have been named Young Team of the Year at the Victorian Sport Awards.

The pair, who have represented Australia, Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club and Ballarat Clarendon College to an elite level, were celebrated at the annual awards last week, and made history.

Jackson and Richardson are the first rowers to ever win Young Team of the Year.

Guided by WBRC and national-level coach Jamie McDonald, they won the Victorian under-21 and national under-19 titles as a crew last year, but their ultimate achievement was taking bronze against the best internationally at the Junior World Rowing Championshipsin France.

The duo initially rowed together as part of an open division one crew at BCC.

The awards are led by the State Government and Vicsport, and exist to celebrate athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers across the state who were high-achieving in the previous year, or who promote their sport.

“The Victorian Sport Awards is such a special night because it allows us to recognise our grassroots heroes alongside those who have excelled at an elite level,” said Vicsport chair Ritchie Hinton.

“This year was another great celebration of the best that our state sporting and active recreation industry has to offer and my congratulations to everyone who was honoured.”

There were 18 categories in the awards this year, and awardees were nominated by members of sporting associations and clubs, teammates, family and friends.

Thirty-seven people, including Ballarat’s own four-time Olympian Steve Moneghetti, were on the judging panel.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence thanked the state’s dedicated club people, coaches, officials, administrators, and volunteers who make grassroots sport possible, and help athletes achieve.

“These awards also provide us with the opportunity to celebrate unsung heroes…who are integral to the health and success of our sports at home and abroad,” she said.