SPORT
GIPPSLAND SPORTS ACADEMY
MORE than 280 guests attended the 29th Annual Gippsland Sports Academy Awards Night at the Morwell Bowling Club, coming together to recognise and celebrate the graduation and achievements of athletes across nine sporting programs over the past 12 months.
On May 1, a total of 97 young Gippsland athletes were in attendance, each receiving their graduation certificate from their respective program coaches.
In total, 186 athletes graduated from their programs in 2025/26.
There was four major awards presented this year.
THE 2025 Phil Shelley Award was awarded to Jude Bergmann of Newborough.
This award recognises individuals who go above and beyond their normal duties to support the development of both the sport and its athletes. Jude is a highly-deserving recipient.
Jude has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to hockey in Gippsland and the Gippsland Sports Academy.
She was instrumental in establishing the academy’s hockey program, creating valuable pathways for regional athletes.
Jude has served for more than 10 years as a coach, team manager, coordinator and volunteer across junior country and state championships.
Since 2022, she has been Gippsland Bulls Zone Coordinator, overseeing teams, coaches, logistics, and planning.
She has also supported grassroots growth through Wellington Hockey Club and Hockey Victoria programs.
Jude consistently demonstrates a genuine desire to support others, fostering positive environments for athletes, coaches and volunteers alike.
She shows respect, leadership, and a strong commitment to the growth of the sport, regularly going above and beyond to ensure programs and pathways are accessible and successful.
Her contribution has had a profound impact on hockey in Gippsland, and she truly embodies the values of service, selflessness and community that the Phil Shelley Award seeks to recognise.
Jude’s dedication, leadership, and selfless service made her a highly deserving recipient of the Phil Shelley Award.
Photos supplied
THE 2025 Tim Forsyth Award was awarded to Jack Brady (13) of Glengarry West, following an outstanding year of achievement at the highest level of competition.
Jack was a highly deserving recipient, highlighted by his remarkable performance at the 2026 Grand Australian National Trap Shooting Championships in Wagga Wagga, where he claimed overall honours in the open section.
In doing so, he became the youngest winner in the history of the Australian Clay Target Association.
With records dating back to the 1930s, Jack’s achievement was made even more significant, surpassing a longstanding record held for more than 30 years by two-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Diamond, one of the sport’s most decorated athletes. The event attracted more than 400 competitors, with representatives from every Australian state as well as international shooters, further underlining the scale and prestige of Jack’s accomplishment.
THE 2025 David Drane Award was awarded to 14-year-old Xavier Gray of Stratford, following an outstanding year in the pool.
Despite an interrupted season that saw him spend seven weeks out of the water leading into the state championships in December, Xavier showed remarkable resilience to still qualify for two finals.
At the country championships in January, competing as a 14-year-old against older athletes, he reached four finals and secured a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke.
Xavier’s progress accelerated throughout the remainder of the season, culminating in an exceptional performance at the national championships, where he reached four finals and narrowly missed a podium finish in the 50m butterfly by just 0.07 seconds.
Over the course of the year, he achieved a significant improvement in his 100m butterfly, reducing his time from 1:07 to 58.9 seconds.
A committed and coachable athlete, Xavier consistently demonstrates a strong willingness to learn, actively seeking and applying feedback across all aspects of his training and competition.
His dedication extends beyond the pool, through his approach to strength and conditioning, where he continues to pursue improvement.
THE 2025 Darrell White Award was awarded to Wyatt Cobbledick (10) of Warragul.
Wyatt is a highly regarded and most deserving recipient following an exceptional year of achievement and development.
Wyatt’s accomplishments have been outstanding. At just nine-years-of-age, he became the youngest goalscorer in Men’s Vic League 3 history, netting two goals for the Latrobe Valley Hockey Association.
He consistently competed above his age level, featuring in under 16 pennant competition, representing East Gippsland U14 Boys, captaining the Gippsland Bulls U12 Boys, and earning selection in both the U12 and U14 indoor club championships with Hawthorn Hockey Club.
He has also commenced the 2026 season strongly, recording a goal and an assist on debut in Men’s Pennant E.
Wyatt’s dedication to his development is evident through his commitment to extra training, completion of hockey-specific skill work, and his proactive approach to improvement.
He is highly coachable, demonstrates maturity beyond his years, and consistently applies feedback to enhance his performance.
His confidence, enthusiasm and positive engagement with both coaches and fellow athletes reflect a genuine passion for the sport.
With significant potential, an outstanding attitude and a list of impressive achievements, Wyatt was a most worthy recipient of the Darrell White Special Achievement Award.
THIS year, the academy was delighted to welcome guest speaker Darryl George – an entrepreneur and elite athlete whose journey has been defined by discipline, resilience, and ambition.
George enjoyed an eight-year professional baseball career across the United States and Japan, represented Australia for more than a decade. He is a current scholarship holder with the Victorian Institute of Sport.
He currently plays professionally with the Melbourne Aces and previously competed for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.
A valued member of the Australian national team, George has represented the country at major international events including Haarlem Baseball Week, the WBSC Premier12, and the World Baseball Classic.
Alongside his sporting achievements, he has successfully built his own business, applying the same dedication and drive that underpinned his athletic success.
Of all his achievements in sport and business, George says his proudest moment was raising more than $22,000 for Cancer Council Australia – marked by the memorable gesture of shaving off his signature afro in support of the cause.
George engaged in an interview-style conversation with emcee Judi Buhagiar, delivering an inspiring and insightful discussion that resonated strongly with athletes and guests.
He shared valuable reflections on high performance, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence, both on and off the field.
During the evening, special acknowledgement was also made to Jenni Lewis and Sandra Timmer-Arends for their outstanding service to the Gippsland Sports Academy Board, marking five and 10 years respectively, with the presentation of engraved pens in recognition of their valued contributions.
