Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News
Franco Fava joins 2023 Latrobe City Sporting Hall of Fame as Bocce Legend
Franco Fava, a Bocce luminary, joined Latrobe City's Sporting Hall of Fame for his remarkable roles as a coach, player, and referee.
Latrobe City Council is excited to announce its 2023 Latrobe City Sporting Hall of Fame inductee, Franco Fava. Franco has been a successful player, coach and referee and one of the most colourful performers in Australia's Bocce history. Franco joined the 28 other sporting legends of Latrobe City when he was officially inducted into the Member category for the sport of Bocce on Thursday 24 August.
Franco Fava trained national and international champions, contributed to Bocce's growth, and established Morwell Bocce as Australia's premier Raffa club
Coach's impressive legacy
As a coach, Franco has trained many successful junior male and female athletes at local, national and international level. Many of the players he coached went on to become National Champions and represent Australia at the World Bocce Championships.
In 2003, when the Australian National Men's and Women's Senior Championship expanded to include regions, Franco was initially involved as a player and coach. In the later years, Franco went on to be a referee at State level and was eventually appointed as Chief Referee for Bocce Australia. As an athlete, Franco competed in the inaugural Asia Oceania Bocce-Raffa Championships in 2018 winning Silver in both the singles and doubles events.
Franco's sporting achievements
Mayor of Latrobe City Council, Councillor Kellie O'Callaghan said the Sporting Hall of Fame is a great way to honour Franco's sporting achievements. "Franco has done so much for the local bocce community, including being instrumental in establishing Morwell Bocce as the premier club for Raffa in Australia. The Club is renowned as Australia's Bocce-Raffa Academy and Centre of Excellence, and hosts many National Bocce-Raffa championships, where players and coaches attend from interstate and overseas."
"The Latrobe City Sporting Hall of Fame was established in 2006 and aims to celebrate our local sporting history and recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution to their chosen sport. I'd like to congratulate Franco on joining the other sporting legends in the Hall of Fame, this achievement is very well-deserved," said the Mayor.
Pictures from Bocce Australia website.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Latrobe City Council urges state to abandon emergency services levy due to community and economic impacts
Chester praised Mallacoota District Health and Support Service CEO Anne Mwagiru and team for advancing vital community health initiatives
Darren Chester and Cycling Without Age Gippsland bringing joy to Buchan locals with first trishaw rides through Caves Reserve
Darren Chester welsomes Buchan Recreation Reserve redevelopment with multi-million dollar funding to boost community facilities
David Littleproud urges Labor to reinstate interest-free Regional Investment Corporation loans for flood and drought-affected farmers
Have your say and help shape Baw Baw Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 - 2029 round 2 by 29 June 2025
Latrobe City Council secures battery backup to boost community energy resilience at Moe/Newborough and Churchill
Magpie geese spotted! Rare sightings in Maffra and Bairnsdale underscore importance of Gippsland wetlands
Join the East Gippsland 'Rising Strong 2025' community resilience forum with keynote Speaker Lucy Kaiser on 6 June 2025
Statewide drought support and ESVF pause a win for farmers, but fight for fairness continues
