Victorian School Sports Awards

Sophie Van De Heuvel, Mackenzie Harvey and Liam Banthorpe were all honoured at this year’s award ceremony. 

Awarded the Primary School Sporting Blue Award, Alfredton Primary School’s Van De Heuvel performed extremely well for Victoria at the 2012 School Sport Australian Championships where she compiled a total of 58 runs. 

She also took eight wickets at the carnival, with her best performance being a five-wicket haul against New South Wales.

Murrumbeena Primary School’s Harvey was acknowledged twice at the ceremony, taking home the Primary School Sporting Blue Award, as well as the Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award. 

The Outstanding Sporting Achievement is presented to one sportsperson at primary school and one sportsperson at secondary school in recognition of their achievement. 

Playing both indoor and outdoor cricket, Harvey was a member of Victoria’s 12-and-under indoor cricket team and the School Sport Victoria 12-and-under outdoor cricket team.

Last year, Harvey was selected to represent Australia at the 2012 World Junior Indoor Cricket Series in South Africa and was chosen to join the World All Stars team.

St Helena’s Liam Banthorpe was awarded with the Secondary School Sporting Blue Award.

Currently playing for Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club, Banthorpe played a starring role in Victoria’s victory at the Under-17 National Championships, having previously represented the state at under-13 and under-15 level.

He also opened the batting for the under-16 Australian cricket team that toured Dubai in 2012, posting 228 runs with a top score of 67.

Hosted by Australian swimming champion Nicole Livingstone, the Victorian School Sports Awards aims to celebrate the achievements of Victoria’s best and brightest young school sport stars.

“We have an outstanding relationship with School Sport Victoria both in developing talented male and female cricketers but also in promoting participation,” Cricket Victoria’s General Manager Game and Market Development Rohan O’Neill said.

“Sport plays a major role in bringing people together in our school community.

“In addition to the physical and health benefits, sport provides young people the chance to build on confidence and allows them to develop skills such as leadership and discipline.”

Cricket Victoria would like to congratulate Sophie, Mackenzie and Liam on their achievements.