Elite award for young sports star

By Kelly Yates
ENDEAVOUR Hills’ sports star Blake Pearson has won the annual Victorian School Sports Award for Outstanding Sporting Achievement.
Blake, 13, a former Thomas Mitchell Primary School student, received the award on 7 March at a ceremony with sporting legends such as former Kangaroos champion Jason McCartney, Emma Randal from the Australian Opals basketball team and Kary Chau from the Victoria Vipers hockey team.
Blake said he was very excited to have won the award.
Last year he was part of the Victorian State football, cricket and athletics teams, but now plays football and cricket for Endeavour Hills.
“I want to be either a professional footballer or professional cricketer when I’m older,” Blake said.
This was the first time a student from Thomas Mitchell Primary School has won the award.
Principal John Hurley and physical education teacher Jeff Ablett nominated Blake for the award.
Mr Hurley said Blake was a stand out in the school.
NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks basketball star Andrew Bogut also attended Thomas Mitchell Primary School.
“When Andrew was in Grade 6 he was enormous. Blake’s not that tall, but is right up there on a sporting level,” Mr Hurley said.
Blake never just specialised in one sport.
“He was versatile and very good at all of the sports he took on,” he said.
“Blake’s a very fast runner and has highly developed coordination skills.”
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike presented Blake with the trophy.
She congratulated 36 primary and secondary students, two teachers and a community volunteer who received awards for their achievements.
“These awards demonstrate what can be achieved by staff and students in the sporting arena with a healthy dose of passion, determination, enthusiasm and commitment,” she said.
“These students have successfully balanced their sporting life with their studies and excelled in their chosen sport.”
Congratulating the award winners Ms Pike said Victoria was a national leader in promoting sport and physical activity among students.
“The passion and commitment of these award winners to their chosen sport is exemplary and sets a fine example in the ongoing effort to promote the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle,” she said.