Thomas Hodges is this month’s Don Deeble Rising Star nominee. 89190_02 Picture: MATHEW LYNN
By LIAM TWOMEY
THOMAS Hodges was always going to be an outstanding athlete, the only question was which sport would earn his services?
As a junior he excelled in athletics, cross-country and swimming but it was in volleyball that the Werribee resident decided to concentrate his energy.
He has gone on to establish himself as a rising star in the game and forced his way into countless representative sides both at a state and national level.
Playing predominantly as a pass-hitter, Hodges credits his athletic background with helping him to quickly develop his volleyball skill set.
“Because of athletics I started doing gym work maybe two years before I started playing volleyball,” he said.
“I found that really beneficial for my muscles especially my leg muscles for jumping and everything and I have continued that gym work. I don’t think I would have been able to get to the level I have without that background.”
Hodges has also proved to be an impressive leader on the court and was named captain of the Victorian Under 19 representative side.
Leadership clearly agrees with the 18-year-old who was also selected in the All Star Seven for the best players from the tournament.
Following the remarkable performance he was named in the Australian Men’s Youth side for the Asian Championships this year.
However, a knee injury prevented him from competing.
“A few days after I was selected in that I tore the cartilage in my knee playing volleyball so I had to have surgery on that,” Hodges said.
“The knee is improving really well now. I’m about a month away from playing but I have been doing a lot of rehab and strength work.”
It’s not just on the indoor courts where Hodges has excelled in the sport. He has also made a number of Victorian beach volleyball sides.
But with aspirations to play college volleyball in America next year, he said the indoor game would be his main focus for now.
His coach and former Australian representative Luke Campbell said he had no doubt Hodges could play professionally.
“I think Thomas will go to college at the end of next year and he will spend four years working there and then he will head to Europe and become a professional volleyball player,” Campbell said.
“Some of the better coaches in the world are coaching there (college) so he is going to get exposed to some amazing training and some super high quality athletes.”
For his outstanding sporting achievements Hodges has been named this month’s Don Deeble Rising Star nominee.
The award is run by the Sunshine Western Region Sports Club in conjunction with the Star News Group.
Thomas will receive $1000 donated by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club and other prizes to assist in his future sporting goals.
The Don Deeble Rising Star Award recognises young athletes in the western suburbs who have achieved outstanding results at a state and national level.
