This years recipient has been a member of the Club for 15 years, and started riding with us, when she was 14 years old. She started with the Blackburn JETS program, and soon realised that she had a real talent for Track cycling. In 2012, she competed at the National Junior Track Championships, and gained a silver medal in the 500 metre Time Trial, and a gold medal, in the Kieren. These fantastic results earnt her a position in the Australian Junior Worlds Team, and she travelled to New Zealand to compete for her country for the first time. It was here, that she cemented her position on the Australian Team, with a silver in the sprint, and a bronze medal, in the Teams sprint. Her cycling career has seen her travel all over the world, to places like Hong Kong, Columbia, America, Scotland, New Zealand, England, and Japan, just to name a few. With over ten years, at the top of her sport, as an elite athlete, it was time to mix it up. It was now time to jump on the tandem bikes, and race as the pilot, with para athlete, Jess Gallagher. These two made a formidable duet, and with their combined strength and power, found themselves with two Gold medals around their necks, at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. In their 1 km Time trial, the girls rode a brilliant time of 1.07.138 to secure the Gold, and backed that up with a win in the tandem sprint. They are currently training together, to try to secure a position at the Paris Olympic Games.
Due to training and coaching commitments, unfortunately our recipient could not be here tonight, but as most of you might have guessed, I am talking about none other than Blackburn’s golden girl, Caitlin Ward. We are however honoured to have Caitlin’s parents here tonight to receive the award on her behalf.

CONGRATULATIONS! Speech by Barry Woods