Rower Victoria Seidel wins top honour at 2025 sports awards
Eleven athletes and volunteers from seven different sports have been celebrated at this year’s Murray Bridge Sports Awards.
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Eleven sports stars and clubs have been honoured for their contributions to their communities at the return of the Murray Bridge Sports Awards.
Last Thursday’s awards night at the Bridgeport Hotel, the first since 2023, celebrated players, coaches and volunteers in all sports, from football and netball to motocross and gymnastics.
Winner of the overall sports person of the year award was Murray Bridge Rowing Club’s Victoria Seidel.
She won 10 medals at state and national competitions this year, and represented South Australia in the Queen’s Cup, the top race in Australian women’s rowing.
As the rowing club’s secretary, she has also made other practical contributions to its success.
“Her dedication – training most days, travelling across the state and competing at the highest levels – has inspired countless young rowers,” awards MC David Waters said.
“She’s claimed multiple state titles and national medals, including gold at the Australian Masters Championships.
“Victoria’s perseverance, generosity and passion embody the true spirit of rowing.”
Seidel thanked the club; coaches Ben Porte, Peter Newell and Robert Mobbs; and her family.
“Rowing is an amazing sport that has taught me so much,” she said.
“I’m proud to have achieved what I have so far in my rowing career, and look forward to continuing to work hard this coming season.”
That season will kick off with Murray Bridge Rowing Club’s regatta this weekend.
Other award winners included:
- Senior sports person: Graham Hunt (Murray Bridge Rowing Club)
- Junior sports person: Taj Garrett (Imperial Football Club/Sturt Football Club)
- Volunteer: Joel Eckermann (Mypolonga Combined Sports Club)
- Coach, umpire or official: Lily Miegel (Jervois Tennis Club) and Bianca Girdler (Murraylands Gymnastics Academy)
- Young leader: Avah Thiele (Jervois Netball Club/Football Club)
- Community club, association or team: Murray Bridge Life Saving Club
- Inclusion and diversity: Murray Bridge Wellbeing Hub/the Haven, for Murray Bridge Walking Netball
- Women and girls initiative: Natasha Sky, for Yeah the Girls/Dirt Bike Girls SA
- Sports promotion: RMFL TV
There to accept awards are Graham Hunt, Taj Garrett, Joel Eckermann, Lily Miegel, Avah Thiele, Chelsea Daughtry and Darren Hollitt, Helen Mattick and Shelley Rose, Natasha Sky, and Mark Steinert; Bianca Girdler was absent. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
Awards’ return judged a success
Thirty-eight nominations were received across the 10 categories at the awards – a record.
Mayor Wayne Thorley paid tribute to them all.
“You’re all champions,” he said.
“You all participate in making our community a better place.
“It makes us so strong as a community … to share the joy of seeing the success, or our children participating.”
The sports awards were first held in 2021 as part of the Murray Bridge council’s Local Legends program.
The council also gives out awards for Christmas lights every December, as well as the traditional Australia Day awards in January.
However, councillors voted in August to discontinue the district’s annual spring garden competition in the face of lacklustre interest from the community.
Just nine nominations were received the last time that competition was run, in 2023.
