When you are the only player from your team selected as an All-Australian out of 175 that becomes a ringing endorsement of your standing in the game.

Kalkee footballer Steve Schultz’s standing as one of not only this region’s best players, but state and nationally, certainly grew tremendously after the recent Australian Country Football Championships in Canberra, making Schultz the worthy July nominee for the sports star of the year award.

Schultz’s selection as All Australian was the second honor he had received after gaining selection in 2008. Schultz was an integral member of the Victorian District League team that competed at the National Championships, and his standing among his peers was reflected when he was named joint vice captain. But circumstances prevented the first choice captain in Andy Grant from playing, which meant Schultz was elevated to captain for the carnival.

While Schultz’s Victorian District team only won one of their eight matches, they were competitive in all games during the three day carnival, which Schultz believed was the strongest competition he had experienced during his three recent carnivals. What made Schultz’s selection even more meritorious was that major league teams were also competing.

Schultz’s win for July came against some very worthy nominations. Horsham Saints Jarrod Berry was nominated for his selection in the victorious Victorian Primary school football team, which won gold at the Under 12 National Championships, as well as his win at the Victorian Primary school cross country. Wimmera Umpires pathway umpire Olivia Dalgleish was also nominated for her officiating at the V/line under 15 football championships, and Horsham Saints Levi Mellington was also another worthy nominee for his selection in the Victorian Country under 15 football team, which won a bronze medal at National Titles.

Schultz joins volleyballer Alysha Liston, state calisthenics member Grace O’Donnell-Clancy, Masters swimmer Helen Kelly and Natimuk shooter Alethea Sedgman as the first five nominated sport stars for 2010, and are all in line to win the overall title of Sports Star of the Year and collect the Horsham Sports and Community Club Title of Wimmera Sports Star of the Year as well as the $1,000 Sports Star scholarship.

This award continues to develop as a prestigious award that seeks to recognise and applaud specific individuals who make a significant sporting contribution to the Wimmera community. 

Nominations for the Horsham Sports and Community Club Sports Star of the Year Award close the last day of each month and all monthly winners will receive an embroidered Sports Star of the Year jacket courtesy of DAGS Quality Screen Printing and voucher from Hip Pocket Workwear. 

If you know of someone who is doing well at their sport and deserves some recognition, why not nominate them in the Sports Star of the Month.  All nominees in the monthly award will be presented with certificates signed by the Minister for Sport and Recreation James Merlino and the monthly winner receives (aside from the jacket and voucher), a free ticket to the annual presentation and a specially struck medallion from Wimmera Trophies and Gifts.