ZOE Addinsall has etched her name into the local record books once again, named the Sportswomen’s Association of Australia Hamilton branch Senior Sportswoman of the Year on Monday night.

The 16-year-old only became eligible for the senior award this year after winning the Junior Sportswoman of the Year award in 2021 and 2022.

Addinsall has competed in tetrathlons and pentathlons and has moved to Ballarat to open more opportunities, returning to Hamilton for the awards dinner, telling The Spectator it was a shock to win the award.

“I expected it to be a bit higher but didn’t expect it to be the best and this year I came out on top again to win the award,” she said.

Having relocated to Ballarat, the balance between training and study continued to be a fine line, with Addinsall also spending a lot of time travelling to different events across the state, country and even abroad.

“Not much study happening but trying to fit it in with all the travelling,” she said.

“My training has got a lot harder, it is so much more work, but I have progressed so much since going down to Ballarat Grammar.”

With some exciting opportunities ahead, the 16-year-old will continue to train hard in the hopes of being selected to go overseas.

“I hope to be selected to go to Ireland then to China as well, so hoping to do some PBs,” she said.

“In the pentathlon, I want to get my swimming up there, if I stop pentathlon, I will go to just swimming.”

Addinsall also thanked her parents, family and coaches for helping her improve during the year.

Local boxer, Katie Riddle, was named runner-up, with the national champion surprised to collect an award on the night.

“It is an honour, I just think it is really awesome to see so many amazing women and young women from so many different sports,” she said.

“It is really amazing to get recognised for sports outside the mainstream ones.

“This is my third nomination, I was a recipient of an encouragement award kind of thing.”

Riddle doesn’t get caught up in too much hype though, focusing on her task ahead, which currently is her professional boxing debut later in the year.

“I just like to stay in my own lane, try not to worry about what everyone else is doing, because you lose focus on what you’re doing,” she said.

“It has been an amazing night though, I certainly did not expect to get anything.

“It is a really talented bunch this year in particular with other national title holders.”

The runner-up also paid tribute to her coach, Ray ‘Mocka’ McIntosh, who continues to push Riddle to new heights in her boxing career.

“I do really need to thank Mocka,” she said.

“He has been my coach and number one supporter and has always believed in me, it has taken me a long time to have that belief in myself.”

More photos and full wrap up of the night on Page 23.