Bendigo Sports Star Awards

13/12/2024

~ NOVEMBER SPORTS STARS ~

Congratulations to the following Sports Stars for being awarded the Sports Star of November:
💪 James Hume, bodybuilding;
Being crowned Mr Australia for classic physique at the PCA Australian Nationals capped an outstanding year for the natural bodybuilder. James’ run across 2024 included four overall and Pro Australian titles in the natural classic physique category. He was the first junior from natural bodybuilding to claim the PCA (untested federation) Mr Australia overall crown. A goal for 2025 is to compete at Natural Olympia in the United States for a second time. James has no coach, no nutritionist, and devotes thousands of hours training and dieting to be in the shape he’s in.

🏌🏻 Lucas Herbert, golf;
Overcame a four-shot deficit at the start of the final round to finish on 15-under and claim the New South Wales Open at Murray Downs near Swan Hill. Lucas reeled in and then surged past Ripper team-mate Cam Smith to claim his first professional victory on home soil.

Our monthly Scholarship Recipient went to;
⭐️ William Whiteacre, netball;
The 16-year-old played in attack as Australia’s men’s open team, aka Kelpies won the Fast5 Netball World Series in Christchurch. William will represent Australia at under-20 level in the Nations series in Singapore.

👏 Please join us in congratulating our sports stars. And thank you to the continuous support from our partners.

12/12/2024

Bendigo Sports Star Awards are keen to support a diverse sporting sector that is inclusive of, and accessible to Indigenous Victorians. We are pleased to announce the Bendigo Health – Young Indigenous Sports Star Award for 2024. Nominate here ➡️ https://www.bendigosportsstar.com/bendigo-health-young-indigenous-award

The Indigenous Sports Star Award recognises young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes who are achieving great things in their sport and are up and coming athletes of the future.

Bendigo Health is providing $1,500 to two Indigenous Athletes who have demonstrated sporting excellence and a commitment to career development. The funding will contribute towards coaching and participation to assist athletes to keep pursuing their sporting ambitions.

We invite community members to take the opportunity to nominate an Indigenous athlete that they believe displays these qualities. Bendigo Health

Bendigo Sports Star Awards are keen to support a diverse sporting sector that is inclusive of, and accessible to Indigenous Victorians. We are pleased to announce the Bendigo Health – Young Indigenous Sports Star Award for 2024.

11/12/2024

is providing $3,000 to share with two schools in the Bendigo region which encourage their students to achieve their best - this includes being more active, eating well, and providing environments that support mental wellbeing.
Nominate here https://www.bendigosportsstar.com/healthiest-school

Bendigo Sports Star Awards are strong advocates in encouraging our youth to succeed, and we know that schools play a significant role in this.

Schools throughout the region are invited to nominate themselves and highlight the reasons why they should be voted the healthiest school for 2024.

General members of the public can also nominate a school that they think are worthy of the Healthy Schools award (criteria to be approved by Fosterville).

 Fosterville Gold Mine is providing $3,000 to share with two schools in the Bendigo region which encourage their students to achieve their best - this includes being more active, eating well, and providing environments that support mental wellbeing.

10/12/2024

This award honours the great John Forbes - a true legend of his time, and huge advocate for sport and his local community.

The award will be presented to a Coach or Manager who has given outstanding service to a sporting club, association or organisation. Nominate here ➡️ https://www.bendigosportsstar.com/john-forbes-coach-award

John was a long-time supporter of Bendigo Sports Star, so the Committee unanimously agreed to create an award in his honour.

This award honours the great John Forbes - a true legend of his time, and huge advocate for sport and his local community.

09/12/2024

The Bendigo Sports Star Awards are strong advocates for encouraging diversity, inclusiveness and community connections through local sporting groups, so we are therefore excited to announce the Bendigo Bank – Community Minded Award for 2024. Nominate here ➡️ https://www.bendigosportsstar.com/bendigo-bank-community-award

Bendigo Bank is providing $3,000 to the most Community Minded sporting team/club in the Bendigo region - a team that is doing the most for their team members and the members of their community.

This Award aims to recognise and celebrate a sporting group who leads the way by implementing initiatives that have a positive impact on the community and generates outcomes that have a long-term benefit.

We invite you to take the opportunity to nominate your team or a team you believe displays these qualities.

The Bendigo Sports Star Awards are strong advocates for encouraging diversity, inclusiveness and community connections through local sporting groups, so we are therefore excited to announce the Bendigo Bank – Community Minded Award for 2024.

02/12/2024

Top golfer Lucas Herbert finished his Australian Open campaign equal fifth after Sunday’s final round at Kingston Heath.
Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year across 2020 and ’21, Herbert held a four-shot lead at the halfway mark of the classic.

After starting Sunday’s final round as equal lead with Ryggs Johnston from the United States, Herbert dropped three shots across the final nine holes to finish 12-under.

Johnston finished on 18-under to claim a three-shot victory.
A great campaign for Herbert began by winning the New South Wales at Murray Downs near Swan Hill.
It was his first professional victory on Australian soil.

A joint recipient of the Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund in Sports Star of the Year in 2010-11, Herbert is giving back through a scholarship program.
Two players from Axedale, Bendigo and Neangar Park which are the clubs where Herbert played growing up in Ravenswood are chosen to receive some cash from Herbert’s winnings to assist their journey in the game.

01/12/2024

Bendigo athlete Andy Buchanan is Australia’s newest record-holder for the marathon.

A finalist in Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year award for 2024, Buchanan clocked 2:06.22 in Sunday’s running of the Valenica Marathon in Spain.
The Paris Olympian became the first Aussie to beat the 2:07 mark as he raced to 16th place in a field of more than 22,000 in Valencia.
The Australian record of 2:07.31 was set by Brett Robinson at Fukuoka, Japan in 2022.

Buchanan averaged a crazy 2:59 minutes a kilometre to cap an incredible year for the Scott Westcott-coached athlete.
Highs of this year included victory in the Oceania half-marathon and the half-marathon at the Nike Melbourne Marathon festival.

Buchanan said the mindset was run as fast as he could for as long as he could.
“If I go for it and blow up, I’d still look back on the year and be really happy with it.
“I still consider myself to be the guy from Bendigo that does a bit of running.
“It’s going to take a while to process that I’m the Australian record holder.”
He was also well under the qualifying mark of 2:06.30 for the World Athletics Championships to be run in Tokyo next September. .

Image taken by SCOTT SIDLEY (Andy celebrates winning the half-marathon at the Nike Melbourne Marathon).

21/11/2024

⭐️ LOCAL AFL DRAFTEES ⭐️

Hard-hitting and skilful half-back Tobie Travaglia makes his way from being a Bendigo Pioneer and Sandhurst Dragon to play for AFL club St Kilda in 2025.
Among the scholarship intake in this year’s Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards, Travaglia was taken at pick eight in Wednesday night’s start to the AFL national draft.
Selection by the Saints caps a superb run by Travaglia who was half-back in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year and All-Australian from the national under-18 championships.
Travaglia’s journey to the big league began with St Therese’s Junior Football League.
After starring for the Sharks he joined the Sandhurst Dragons and then kicked on with the La Trobe University Bendigo Pioneers.

Two graduates from Sandhurst’s junior program were taken in Wednesday’s draft and add to the club’s proud tradition across VFL/AFL history.

Ollie Hannaford’s play for Greater Western Victoria Rebels in the Coates Talent League caught the eye of the GWS Giants recruiting team.
Able to play in attack, defence or midfield, Hannaford was taken at pick 18.
He was the Rebels best in this year’s Coates Talent League grand final against Sandringham Dragons.

Although it’s football they are best known for, Travaglia and Hannaford played cricket for Bendigo United.

The AFL national draft continues on Thursday from 7pm, starting with pick 28.
Among those in the running are La Trobe University Bendigo Pioneers team-mates James Barrat and Archer Day-Wicks.

18/11/2024

⛳️ A brilliant final round by Bendigo-raised golfer Lucas Herbert has clinched victory in the New South Wales Open played at Murray Downs near Swan Hill.
The Bendigo Sports Star of the Year across 2020 and ’21 chased down and then surged clear of Ripper Golf team-mate Cameron Smith to clinch a two-stroke win.
Just weeks after presenting the latest round of Lucas Herbert golf scholarships at a Bendigo Sports Star of the Year function at Red Energy Arena the golfing ace was in hot form 🔥.
He fought from four shots behind Smith at the start of Sunday’s play to card a four-under-par 67 and finish with a 15-under 269.
A big contingent from Bendigo was there to witness Herbert’s first professional victory on home turf.
A joint recipient of the Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund in Bendigo Sports Star in 2010-11, Lucas Herbert poured some of this year’s winnings on the LIV Tour into his own scholarship awarded to six golfers.
The players were chosen from Axedale, Bendigo and Neangar Park which is where Herbert spent many hours as a teenager on his journey to turning professional in 2015.
At the age of 28, Herbert joins Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Ian Baker-Finch and Kel Nagle as a NSW Open champion.
The focus for Herbert is now on the BMW Australian PGA Championship being played on November 21-24 at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane.

17/11/2024

A superb start by Dyson Daniels to his NBA stint with Atlanta Hawks keeps on rolling.
The Bendigo-raised guard scored 25 points as the Hawks soared to a 129-117 victory against Washington Wizards in Saturday’s NBA Cup clash.
It was not just Daniels scoring punch which floored the wizards as he racked up six steals.
Just months after his Olympics debut with the Boomers in Paris, Daniels has scored 15 points or more and five-plus steals in four consecutive NBA games.
He is the first player to do so since Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan in the 1989-90 season.
Daniels was a finalist in the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards in 2021 and ’22 and a multiple scholarship recipient.
The Hawks were back on court on Monday against Portland Trail Blazers.

15/11/2024

A legend on the football field and basketball court, Tony ‘Bluey’ Southcombe will be the 49th inductee to the Hall of Fame at the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year gala presentation next February.

News of Southcombe’s selection as the newest member of the Hall of Fame was announced on Thursday by Sports Star committee chair Sam Daykin near the Basil Ashman HOF Wall at Red Energy Arena.

A gun ruckman, Southcombe racked up nine premiership victories as a player or playing coach in a 245-game career which spanned Golden Square, Boort, and Northern United.

He was non-playing coach in Elmore’s premiership victory of 2007.
‘Bluey’s’ athletic prowess and fitness was also to the fore in a run of nine consecutive grand final wins for Surfies on the basketball court.

Two of the biggest influences in his sporting journey are Hall of Fame members Max Brisbane and Ron Best.

A Michelsen medallist as Bendigo Football League fairest and best in 1972 and ’75, Southcombe was a Sports Star of the Year finalist in those years.
“To be inducted to the Hall of Fame is an incredible honour,” Southcombe said.
“It’s an awesome feeling to be recognised in this way.”
Nominations for other prestigious awards in Sports Star are now open via the awards website https://www.bendigosportsstar.com/awards.
Individuals or clubs/associations can lodge nominations for the Faith Leech inspiration award, John Forbes coach/manager, Community Minded award, Young Indigenous Athlete, and Healthiest School.
Major sponsors of the Sports Star awards are Bendigo Bank, , Bendigo Health , , , Hit fm Listnr, and .
The gala awards presentation will be on Friday, February 28 at All Seasons International.

15/11/2024

~ OUR SPORTS STARS ~

🏀 After a career-best performance in the NBA, Bendigo-raised guard Dyson Daniels is back on court this Saturday as Atlanta Hawks take on Washington Wizards.
A multiple finalist in Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year award, Dyson dominated as the Hawks won their latest hit-out against Boston Celtics.
Dyson hit a career-high 28 points and also racked up seven assists and three rebounds in a dramatic 117-116 win against the reigning champions in Boston.
Many NBA commentators and fans were raving about another spectacular performance in which Dyson marked six steals to now have a league-high 36 steals across 10 matches.

🏏 Newly-signed recruit with the Melbourne Renegades, Kangaroo Flat’s Jasmine Nevins will be doing all she can to regain her place in the squad for upcoming Weber WBBL 10 cricket action.
Nevins was among two changes to the Renegades squad for Friday night’s showdown with Melbourne Stars at the MCG.
Last WBBL season Jasmine was in the Stars squad, but she was recently signed by the Renegades.
The talented all-rounder was among the scholarship intake in the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards in 2023.
The 21-year-old bowls right arm fast medium and is a right hand batter.
Tayla is a multiple finalist in Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year awards and also a previous scholarship recipient.

We wish both young Sports Stars all the best this weekend!

14/11/2024

🏆 We are delighted to announce the October Sports Star winner and Scholarship winners.

Congratulations to our October winner;
🌟 Lilyth Jones, cycling:
Capped her first junior world track cycling championships by capturing silver in the 2000m individual pursuit. Lilyth lowered her personal best by four seconds as she was fastest in qualifying in China. Lilyth has juggled her cycling with year 12 studies.

This month we had 2 monthly Scholarship recipients. Congratulations to;
⭐️ Abbey Reid, athletics:
Won the 2000m steeplechase for under-17 class at Victorian All Schools field and track titles.

⭐️ Kate Wilson, athletics:
A leap of 1.55m clinched victory in Victorian All Schools under-16 high jump final.

It’s great to see local females produce incredible results in their chosen sports. Congratulations girls, we look forward to seeing you at our Gala Evening on February 28th 2025.

Picture of Lilyth by Darren Howe
Picture of Abbey by Scott Sidley
Picture of Kate supplied

12/11/2024

Some more photos of the Lucas Herbert Sports Star Scholarship Evening held at last Thursday night.
It was a very inspirational evening with Lucas handing out 6 scholarships to 6 young fun local golfers.

Congratulations to Noah Edwards, George Kenny, Morten Hafkamp, Flynn Anderson, Mitch Cakebread and Archie Alston for receiving a Lucas Herbert scholarship.

We would like to thank our sponsors for supporting a wonderful event, and we look forward to announcing some more big news this Thursday!

11/11/2024

An absolute nail-biter!
Former scholarship winner Will Whitecare represented Australia in the Men's Fast 5 team for the World Championship series in New Zealand. We are pleased to say they won gold in a thriller, defeating New Zealand 32-30.
Congratulations Will, it's very special to be a world champion!

17/10/2024

🥉 Bendigo's gun cyclist Alessia McCaig has started the UCI world track cycling championships in superb form.
Alessia teamed with Kristina Clonan and Molly McGill to capture bronze in the team sprint at Ballerup velodrome in Denmark.
A multiple finalist in Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year award, Alessia is racing at the world senior titles for the first time.
Gold in the team sprint went to Paris Olympic gold medallists Great Britain as Netherlands powered to silver.

A big campaign for Alessia McCaig will include the keirin, 500m time trial, and sprint.
Among those trackside in Ballerup were Alessia’s parents, Cameron and Ree, and Alessia’s brother, Connor.
The McCaig family has strong links to cycling and Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year awards.
Alessia’s grandfather, Alan was a driving force in the formation of the Bendigo International Madison carnival in 1972 and promoter and teams controller in the early years of the city’s biggest cycling/athletics carnival.
Alan’s younger brother, Frank was the first winner of the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year award in 1965-66 and is in the Basil Ashman Hall of Fame which is at Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo.
A passionate supporter at many of Alessia’s races whether it was for national or state title, or at club level was her grandmother Bev McCaig who passed away in July.

Another of Bendigo’s top track cyclists, Blake Agnoletto is also in Ballerup where he will race in the elimination and also team with Kelland O'Brien in Madison.
The feats of Alessia McCaig and Blake Agnoletto have put both in the running for Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year award for 2024.

Picture: Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP

08/10/2024

It was mixed emotions for Bryde O’Rourke, family and friends in last week’s AFLW debut for Geelong.

Just minutes after taking to the field, Bryde injured her collarbone in the clash with Fremantle Dockers on the Cats’ turf at GMHBA Stadium in Kardinia Park.
A defender who can also play wing, Bryde had two disposals before she was hurt in a match where the Dockers kicked on for a 45-27 victory.
Among those watching on were Bryde’s parents, Ray and Marg.

Taken by Geelong as a father-daughter selection, Bryde’s play for the La Trobe University Bendigo Pioneers in last season’s Coates Talent League caught the eye of the Cats recruiting team.

Bryde is likely to miss at least three weeks.

The talented teenager was among four players from the Bendigo Pioneers women’s program to earn a scholarship in the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year award in 2023.
The others were Lila Keck, drafted by Carlton; Keely Fullerton, drafted by Gold Coast; and Steph Demeo.

Although sidelined by injury, Bryde who previously played for Strathfieldsaye Storm was rapt as the Cats marked a crucial 44-41 victory against Sydney last Sunday.
A win-loss tally of two-four and a draw has Geelong in 11th place on the AFLW ladder.

The Cats make their way to Richmond’s Punt Road Oval this Saturday to take on the fourth-placed Tigers from 3.05pm.

08/09/2024

🥈 BAMAWM Extension's Col Pearse has won his second Paralympics medal.

Pearse won silver in the men's 200m medley SM10 overnight in Paris, finishing in a time of 2:12.79.

Pearse was just over two seconds behind gold medalist Stefano Raimondi of Italy, who won in a time of 2:10.24.

Pearse knocked off almost four seconds from his qualifying time in the final to win silver.

Pearse's silver medal came a fortnight after the death of his grandfather.

"Whenever he used to go to the pub back home, he used to tell everyone about me. To lose him so close to the competition, this was for him, I know up in the clouds he's sucking on a few VBs and crying and being so proud of me," Pearse said. 🥲