Track endurance/road cycling star Jack Bobridge and netballer Amy Steel were named joint winners of the 2009 AIS Junior Athlete of the Year award on Thursday 12 November.

Bobridge became the first Australian to win the under-23 time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

The 20-year-old also claimed stage wins in the Tour of Japan and the Thüringen Tour in Germany and two silver medals (individual pursuit and team pursuit) at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

Bobridge is regarded as one of Australia’s best young cyclist and recently signed with professional team Garmin–Slipstream for 2010.

Steel played a key role in the Australian 21-and-under netball team who won this year’s World Youth Netball Championships in the Cook Islands.      

Steel’s outstanding ability was confirmed when she was selected for the Australian Diamonds senior netball team that defeated New Zealand in the recent Holden Netball Test Series.

AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker described the performances of Bobridge and Steel as outstanding.

‘Jack’s performances both nationally and internationally demonstrated why he is regarded as one of Australia’s best young cyclists,’ Professor Fricker said.   

‘He has proven himself as a world-class champion by beating the best athletes on the international sporting stage.

‘Amy was one of six AIS netballers that contributed to the Australian U21 team winning the World Youth Netball Championships.

‘Australian Diamonds coach Norma Plummer has a big opinion of Steel’s netball ability demonstrated by her early elevation to the senior squad.’

Other nominations for the AIS Junior Athlete of the Year award included Elizabeth Cambage (basketball), Jessica Fox (canoe slalom), Nathan Johnstone (winter sports) and Olivia Rogowska (tennis).