Decathlete wins academy award

AT Gippsland Sports Academy Awards last Friday in Traralgon the Tim Forsyth Award for most outstanding achievement, named after the academy’s patron, was won by Hamish Nelson of YallournNewborough Athletics Club.
Nelson won the gold medal in the under 20 Victorian decathlon and represented Australia at the World Youth Games Championships in Morocco last year, finishing 14th in the octathlon.
Other nominees were golfer Ben Dunlop Golf, swimmer Lichelle Clarke, squash player Brad Soutar, tennis player David Donchi, volleyballer Laura Nelson and badminton players Jack Burgess.
The David Drane Award, an encouragement award, was won by golfer Alexandria Bantock, who after a year at the academy dropped her handicap from 28 to 16 and put in promising performances at tournaments during the year.
The Phil Shelley Sports Development Award, presented to an individual who is involved with the academy going beyond their normal duties to assist in the development of the sport and the athletes, went to Dr Ralph Richards, for his commitment to the Gippsland Swimming Program over several years as unpaid coach, advisory panel member and overall mentor for the swimming program in Gippsland. His coordination and liaison with VIS and regional spoirts academies has ensured the success of all programs.
Other nominees were Ann McCurley for athletics, Robert Goldie for golf, Mike Lang for squash, Jeff Hawke for tennis, Aaron Magnuson for volleyball and Fred Stanlake for badminton.
Guest speaker for the evening was Awesome Foursome rower Drew Ginn, a former Gippslander who enthralled guests with an inspiring and interesting message for all our budding champions.