General News
1 December, 2021
Morden receives Amazon Sport Star awards
TIMBOON athlete Emily Morden’s stunning 2021was recognised at the South West Sport Amazon Sport Star Awards last week.
TIMBOONathlete Emily Morden’s stunning 2021was recognised at the South West Sport Amazon Sport Star Awards last week.
Morden took out the open women’s athlete of the year and supreme sportsperson of the year awards at the ceremony after strong efforts in her track and field events earlier this year.
The 18 year-old represented Victoria having won three gold medals at the Vic Country Track and Field Championships, recorded podium finishes at the Victorian State Track and Field Championships and won a medal at the Australian Track and Field Championships.
The Athletics South West Turbines member revealed she knew she was set to win one award at the presentation night but was shocked to discover she had won two.
“When I first found out I was receiving an award on the night I was quite excited but the Supreme sportsperson of the year I was not expecting at all,” Morden said.
“It was quite a shock that it was me out of all the other award winners because it’s such a high class of athletes.
“I was really honoured that they chose me.”
Morden still pinches herself at the success she achieved in 2021.
She credits her rise to the assistance of her coach Phil Molesworth, who pushed her to levels she had never reached, which included the chance to represent her state.
“Getting to go to nationals earlier this year was incredible and looking back I was pretty lucky it was in the little timeframe I was still able to go to Sydney and compete,” Morden said.
“I think the amount of improvement, just working with Phil, has skyrocketed my performances and will hopefully keep me improving for years to come.
“It’s (my improvement) looking like it’ll go even further next year but in 2021 I got so many personal bests and medals where I would have been finishing fifth or sixth in other years.
“It’s been an incredible experience to reach the level of competitiveness (I got to).”
As for what lies ahead for Morden, she is hopeful a chance to don the green and gold beckons in the future.
“I’d like to make an Australian team but I’m not too sure how long that will take,” she said.
“Phil suggested Paris (2024 Olympics) but I’m trying to take one step at a time and get to the next thing first.
“At the moment that’s the world juniors so hopefully I can get there next year and then we will see.”
Other locals to be recognised included Terang’s Colin Venn, who received the Corangamite volunteer of the year award, while Bookaar’s Penny Smith received the Keith Wilson Chairperson’s award.
South West Sport program support officer Marli Blackney-Noter said this year’s crop of award nominees and winners was one of the best assembled for the presentations.
“The calibre of performances highlighted in the nominations, finalists and winners once again demonstrates the wealth of talent to come from the South West across a wide variety of sports,” she said.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic effecting sports across the last 18 months, achievements from across 2020 and 2021 are still at a high calibre and showcase some amazing modifications made by sports across Victoria and Australia.”