Don Deeble winner for 2025 Jobe Stewart was left speechless on Wednesday night as he was awarded the honour.
Stewart was the last of 10 monthly winners nominated for the award run by the Sunshine and Western Region Sports Club.
The award, named after baseball legend Don Deeble, recognises young sporting talent from across Melbourne’s five western municipalities.
Stewart was awarded the $5000 first prize, ahead of co-runners up Smrithi Adepu and cricketer Jackson Martin, who were awarded $2500 each.
Cyclist Nicola Morris and the youngest monthly winner Louis Kiang were awarded encouragement awards.
Stewart, who is making his mark in taekwondo, said it was pretty special to win the award.
“I’m forever grateful to the people around me and the people in this room,” he said.
“So many people I’ve gone to school with, teachers, sporting staff. I’d like to thank the Western Region Sporting Club and all the sponsors making this happen.
“I had high confidence. I was a bit shocked that I had my name called and I came up and won the award.”
Stewart said for a sport that doesn’t have a lot of funding and backing, this money would have a massive impact for him.
His 2026 schedule is already packed with tournaments across the world.
“We’re having a Europe trip coming up, this will be a massive help going over there and competing,” he said.
Having started taekwondo when he was just eight because his mum said he had too much energy, he has risen through the gradings and achieved his black belt.
Stewart soon made inroads and represented Australia in his first World Taekwondo Championships in China in the 80-87 kilogram men’s competition last year.
He was one of the youngest competitors.
Stewart also competed at the under-21 World Championships in Kenya in December.
While only having just turned 20, Stewart isn’t shying away from the big goals.
“Next year I’m hoping to go to Kazakhstan for the World Championships and be world number one,” he said.
“I’m more focused on myself and the World Champs … but definitely the Olympics along the way.”
Stewart, who owns his own business, said his parents had been massive in influencing his career and helping him get to where he wants to be.
His other big inspiration is his sister, Reba Stewart, who has represented Australia at the Olympics at taekwondo.
Reba was a monthly winner of the Deeble award in 2019.
Jobe joked he would hold it over her that he won the overall award.
“I started young and she was my sparring partner,” he said. “I followed her and made my own path.”
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies, Team 639, Ray White Werribee, Noone Imagewear, Sims Sports, Anaia restaurants, Medway Golf Club. and Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
