MOREE pocket dynamo Bella Boland was named Young Sports Person of the Year at the Australia Day awards ceremony held at Jellicoe Park on Monday.

In 2025, nine-year-old Bella was successful across multiple sports, winning school, zone, regional and state cross-country titles.

She also received a Blue Award for cross country at the 2025 North West Schools Sport presentation and a major award for Most Outstanding Primary Athlete – the first such award for a Moree student since Jenny de Luca in 1996.

Last year, Bella claimed the 8-9 years’ state championship by a 22-second margin, beating 77 competitors at Sydney International Equestrian Centre in Horsley Park.

Bella is a member of Ronny’s Runners, a group of young Moree athletes trained by Ronny Clissold, who on Monday received the Australia Day mayoral award.

Bella Boland with proud parents James and Toni at the Australia Day awards ceremony, held at Jellicoe Park on Monday.

Bella’s parents, Toni and James, watched proudly as their daughter accepted the award from Moree Plains deputy mayor, Wayne Tighe.

“We are incredibly proud of Bella and all she does, and in particular her sporting achievements in 2025,” Toni said.

“She was very proud to receive the Young Sports Person of the Year award.

“It has been such an exciting year for us as parents, but also for our extended family, friends, community and the Ronny’s Runners crew who have always been so supportive of Bella – whether it’s been helping her finish a training session on the hard days or cheering her over the line on race days,” Toni said.

In cross country, Bella was placed first at school, zone, regional and state carnivals in nine-years girls’ events and was athletics age champion for junior girls at school and zone carnivals.

At regional level, Bella won the 800m and 1500m, setting a new record for 1500m.

She finished eighth in the 800m final – the fastest nine-year-old against 10-year-olds – and 14th in the 1500m at state level.

She also won all her events at the little athletics zone carnival in Tamworth in November.

Locally, Bella won her age group at last year’s Run the Plains, and also received Moree Junior Soccer Club’s Best and Fairest end-of-season award.

Bella Boland with some of her many awards in 2025.

Mum Toni said Ronny Clissold has provided a platform for all kids involved to push themselves, motivate each other and support each other through the highs and lows.

“We are very grateful for the countless hours and shared expertise that Ronny has invested, not just Bella, but in all the children who are part of Ronny’s Runners,” she said.

“He is an inspiration to the young, aspiring athletes – not to mention some of us older, ‘has-been’ athletes,” she laughed.

“Ronny’s dedication to sharing what he loves, and encouraging each child to strive for the best version of themselves is admirable.

“He delivers not just coaching but also instils many life lessons in the children in his group.

“Children learn to respect and listen, value what is being offered and that hard work is required to reach personal goals,” Toni said.

Ronny says 2026 could easily take Bella to the next level after such an incredible season last year.

“Bella had a great start to the season last year, and when she came out and ran such a good time in the parkrun, we knew she was reaching her peak,” Ronny said.

“Within the month, Bella went on to win the state title. She won the race by 22 seconds and beat the previous time pretty convincingly – she won well.

“Bella showed them just how good she is – she lifted towards the finish and away she went,” he said.

She endured a season hampered by illness and growing spurts, but 2026 promises new opportunities at state and national level.

“Hopefully, we can get it together this year for the nationals,” Ronny said.

“I know there are a couple of good kids in her age bracket in different states, but I feel Bella is definitely capable of being right there – I honestly think she can win the title.

“She couldn’t run nationals last year because of her age. She turns 10 this year and that allows her to run at that level,” he said.

Ronny says Bella’s bloodlines will take her a long way.

“Bella is a natural. Her grandfather, Peter, was good rugby winger – he was very fast,” he said.

“Her dad, James, is a good runner and mum, Toni, is right into fitness, so the pedigree is there,” Ronny smiled.

2026 Moree Plains Shire Australia Day award winners

Citizen of the Year: Todd Mitchell

Young Citizen of the Year: Corey Scriven

Volunteer of the Year: Michael McNamara

Sports Person of the Year: Gabrielle Suckling

Young Sports Person of the Year: Isabella Boland

Community Event of the Year: The Sound of Music

Community Volunteer Group of the Year: Moree Parkrun

Moree Online News will over the next few days have more stories about all award recipients, Moree Lions Club award winners, Moree’s newest citizens and Australia Day ambassador, Bruno Efoti.