Basketball
10 March, 2026
Lovel awarded Hornets life membership
The Horsham Hornets held their Country Basketball League awards night on Friday, March 6, highlighted by long-serving player and current president and director Matt Lovel receiving life membership with the Hornets.
Among the major award winners, Jorja Clode took out the Melissa McClure Award for women’s Most Valuable Player, and Micah Livingstone claimed the Owen Hughan Award as the men’s Most Valuable Player.
Shannon Cross received the Nicki De Wit Memorial Award, and Tarkyn Benbow claimed the Graham Adams Memorial Award.
Having first represented the Hornets as a junior over 30 years ago, Lovel finished his storied playing career in 2024, when he helped the Hornets win the CBL championship against Mount Gambier in his 200th game.
As well as his accolades on court, Lovel has played a significant role as a coach and administrator with the Hornets, recently taking on the role of club president.
Speaking at the awards night, Lovel was honoured to be given a life membership, acknowledging his great appreciation for the Hornets.
“I'm actually a little bit lost for words with this,” Lovel said.
“I love wearing the Horsham uniform. I love playing basketball, doing whatever I have to do to help the association.
“Thank you to everyone who has, you know, helped in some way, shape or form with the association.
It's just a fantastic club to play for; we do it better than anyone else, and you can just see that at CBL games, where we have more people supporting the team than anywhere else.”
Lovel credited his parents for allowing him to assist the Hornets as much as he could.
“Thanks to Mum and Dad for allowing me to do that,” Lovel said.
“It's kind of Dad's fault that I'm on committees and stuff like that; he literally does every single thing possible.”
The women’s MVP vote count:
Jorja Clode (52 votes)
Georgia Hiscock (37 votes)
Jess Cannane (33 votes)
The men’s MVP vote count:
Micah Livingstone (53 votes)
Mitch Martin (43 votes)
Levi Munyard (30 votes)
Best in finals: Mitch Martin (9 votes)