Sophie Hughes, a proud local girl and member of the Bendigo Canoeing Club and Bendigo Academy of Sport Program at Latrobe University. Sophie has been recognised for her skills, talent , dedication and competition performances securing a position on the Paddle Australia 2024 Australian Canoe Marathon Team which will compete in the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Metkovic, Croatia from the 16 – 22 September 2024.

It's an incredible opportunity for Sophie and great recognition for the Bendigo Canoeing Club who has supported her development with K1, K2, K4 boats, gym program and coaching (Tony Misson and James Humphrey).

Sophie started paddling at the age of 13 years after seeing an advertisement in the school newsletter for a come and try paddling program at the time COVID started.

With the support of her family, the Club and friend network, Sophie has quickly developed her paddling skills and secured many personal triumphs in local, state and national competitions and been recognised for her achievements in the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year Awards, Bendigo Sportsman's Association and Latrobe, The Academy of Sports awards.

To represent her home town of Bendigo and Australia in the green and gold in a World Championships is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Sophie to develop and compete against the world's best.

To get her to Croatia, we need support and welcome any support the community can provide to get Sophie to the start line in Croatia.

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