The impressive new creative mural titled ‘Champions Are Made Here’ is located on the feature wall leading into the Red Energy Arena courts and showcases three incredible athletes who all hold a special connection to La Trobe’s Bendigo Campus – Kelsey Griffin, Andy Buchanan and Charlotte Sexton.
A La Trobe alumnus and current Bendigo Spirit Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) captain, Kelsey Griffin is a five-time WNBL champion, three-time WNBL Grand final MVP and three-time WNBL team of the year representative. A gold medalist with the Australian Opals at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Kelsey is a former La Trobe Elite Athlete Program (LEAP) member and Mick Malthouse Scholarship winner. Kelsey graduated with a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at La Trobe in 2020.
Speaking on her inclusion on the showpiece mural at Red Energy Arena, Kelsey described the recognition at the Spirit’s home venue as “really special”.
“Not only is it (La Trobe) a university that really started my career with what my life was going to be like after sport, but also visibility in sport is so important,” Kelsey said.
“To have a constant presence within the stadium (Red Energy Arena) is something that the Spirit hasn’t always had, so I think it means even more considering where we have come from and where we want to go.”
Andy Buchanan is a marathon runner who graduated with a Bachelor of Physical and Outdoor Education degree from La Trobe University’s Bendigo Campus. Andy made his Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, having earned a late call-up to the Australian team to finish 45th overall in the Men’s Marathon and clocking a time of 2:12:58. Shortly after, Buchanan’s rise to stardom continued when he smashed the Australian marathon record in the 2024 Valencia Marathon in a time of 2.06.22, which in turn qualified him for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in September in Tokyo. As part of his World Championship preparations, Andy will be competing in the iconic London Marathon in April this year.
As the inaugural winner of the La Trobe University Blues Sport Awards Alumnus of the Year in 2024, Andy said he was proud to have his sporting and academic achievements acknowledged on the mural.
“My whole life has been here in Bendigo, (and) Red Energy Arena is such a big part of the sporting community here in Bendigo,” Andy said.
“To have someone from athletics on this wall means a lot to me. La Trobe is a really key part of my journey into my sporting career, so it will take me a while to get used to it and hopefully it (the mural) stays up for a while, but it means a lot to me.”
Charlotte Sexton is a star on the rise for the Bendigo Strikers in the Victorian Netball League. The Bendigo born and raised product is an emerging key defender who was the inaugural Championship Best & Fairest winner for the Strikers in 2024. Charlotte is currently a Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship holder, member of La Trobe Elite Athlete Program and a training partner with the Melbourne Vixens for the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season.
Splitting her time between her various netball commitments with the Strikers and the Vixens, Charlotte is studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) across both of La Trobe University’s Bundoora and Bendigo campuses.
Charlotte credited the assistance of La Trobe in helping her pursue both her degree and professional netball aspirations.
“I really appreciate the support from La Trobe - I’m in my second year of study and they have been really supportive in helping me balance sport and training, as well as studying full time,” Charlotte said.
“Obviously having recognition of netball here at the stadium is really important, especially in Bendigo where netball is such an important part of the city.”
La Trobe is proud to be able to recognise and provide visibility of our local sporting heroes and create aspirations for athletes to combine both their sporting and educational pursuits.
For more information on the La Trobe Elite Athlete Program, visit the La Trobe Sport website.
