The Northern Mallee has recognised two of Shooting Australia’s National Squad Athletes through the 2022 Sports Star award initiative. Mildura locals Nathan Argiro (High Performance National Squad) and Talia Woodroffe (Pathways National Squad), were nominated by their local clubs for a Northern Mallee Sports Star of the Month award during 2022.
Both winners in the month they were nominated, Argiro, a member of the Mildura Clay Target Club, was nominated in January for his achievements in Olympic Trap clay target shooting, while Woodroffe a member of the Mildura Pistol Club, was nominated in April for her achievements in Olympic discipline pistol shooting.
Talia Woodroffe and her personal Coach Les Moncreiff at the Awards night held in February
Fourth time nominee and the January Sports Star Award winner, Argiro said, “It means a lot to be nominated for such a prestigious award here in Mildura. I believe it’s my fourth time being nominated for the award, this time for my Open National ISSF [Olympic] Trap Title last year. I hope to get nominated again and hopefully bring home the overall trophy.”
Image courtesy of the Mallee Sports Assembly
Of her award win in April Woodroffe said, “To me, winning Sports Star of the month for April means I get to spread representation of this amazing sport – and for women in the sport! Coming from a small town and a not-so-common sport, I feel privileged to be acknowledged for what I achieved last year, and I thank all those around me who support me, as well as Mildura Pistol Club for the nomination. It’s also a reminder of the power of perseverance and makes me think back to when I started the sport in 2018 just looking for something fun to do as a family – and I now look at where it’s taken me and all the places and people I have met because of my love for the sport! Shooting has shown me that with a little bit of perseverance and a lot of passion you really can achieve your goals and set new ones as you grow in and outside of your sport. It was an honour to receive my award amongst some of the best sports people in my region and I hope I can continue to represent the sport and show everyone how cool we are!”
Monthly winners received automatic nomination to the annual Northern Mallee Sports Star of the Year Award 2022. Although Argiro and Woodroffe did not take out the yearly award at the presentation night held in February 2023, Shooting Australia commends their sporting achievements over the previous 12 months, securing their nominations.
