The Diamond Jubilee celebration saw more than 400 guests in attendance, including past winners and this year’s outstanding athletes, marking a significant milestone for the prestigious Bendigo Sports Star Awards.
Presented on the night by Head of Campus Marg O’Rourke, the Stay Near Go Far Scholarship recognises student-athletes who are pursuing ambitious sporting goals while continuing to study, work and contribute within their regional communities.
The initiative reflects La Trobe’s strong dedication to supporting regional talent — proving athletes do not need to leave their community to achieve excellence in sport, education or future career pathways.
The inaugural 2026 scholarship recipient is Emily Davis-Tope, a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) student at La Trobe University, who competes at the highest level of women’s ice hockey.
Emily is an alternate captain with the reigning Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League champions, Melbourne Ice Women. She has earned league-wide recognition as Skater’s Network Player of the Month and continues to build an impressive international résumé.
In 2025, Emily represented Australia at the IIHF Women's World Championship, where the team claimed gold and achieved long-sought promotion. She has again been selected in the Australian women’s national team to compete at the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division tournament in Bled, Slovenia, this April.
Importantly, Emily is also part of the La Trobe Elite Athlete Program, which provides specialised academic support and flexibility to help high-performance athletes successfully balance the demands of elite sport and university study.
What makes Emily’s achievement even more remarkable is the dedication required behind the scenes — balancing elite training schedules, weekend competition, university study, employment and regular travel from Bendigo to Melbourne, while also personally funding much of her sporting journey.
Emily truly embodies the spirit of Stay Near Go Far — resilience, commitment and strong community connection.
La Trobe University is proud to support her journey and play a meaningful role in helping her continue to pursue excellence both on and off the ice.
