Three new names have been added to the Wagga Wagga Sporting Hall of Fame and Local Legend category at a ceremony held at the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site on the evening of Friday 28 November 2025.
This year the inductees are Robert Vincent (orienteering) and Matthew Suckling (AFL) for the Sporting Hall of Fame, and Shane Lenon (AFL) for the Local Legend category.
Robert Vincent competed at the highest level, representing Australia in Orienteering for several years while a resident of Wagga Wagga. He competed in three World Orienteering Championships and contributed to the development of the sport by becoming the president of the WaggaRoos Orienteers in 1984.
Matthew Suckling was born in Wagga Wagga and played 178 games at the elite AFL level for Hawthorn (102 games and dual Premiership player) and Western Bulldogs (76 games), before retiring.
Matthew also represented Australia in the International Rules Series against Ireland in 2011. The nomination was submitted by his junior AFL club East Wagga Kooringal Hawks and endorsed by AFL Riverina.
Local Legend category inductee Shane Lenon has provided long and distinguished service to AFL in the Riverina as a player and a coach and is recognised as a key contributor to the development of the sport.
He has won 12 premierships (seven playing, five non-playing), four league best and fairest medals and his devotion to the game has seen him playing multiple roles on game day, including umpiring junior matches. Shane Lenon's nomination was endorsed by Collingullie Football Club and AFL Riverina.
Nominations for the Sporting Hall of Fame and Local Legend Awards were open during July 2025 and were assessed by a panel before being endorsed by Council.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout says the calibre of the nominees reflects Wagga Wagga's reputation as the City of Good Sports.
"We are pleased to be able to add another three names to the Sporting Hall of Fame, joining the long list of elite athletes, sporting champions and local sporting administrators, coaches, volunteers, or coordinators," Cr Tout said.
"It's a way for all of us to recognise the achievements of these representatives of Wagga Wagga who have reached the pinnacle of their sporting careers at the national or international level or have made invaluable contributions to supporting and growing sport within in the local community."
A Mayoral Reception was held at the Museum of the Riverina on the evening of Friday 28 November to formally induct the successful nominees into the Sporting Hall of Fame and Local Legends category.
In addition to the 2025 inductees, the 2019 inductees were also formally recognised; Kate Blackwell (cricket), Alex Blackwell (cricket) and Brian Lawrence (cricket) were invited to the Mayoral Reception as their induction, which was originally scheduled for 2019, was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The Sporting Hall of Fame is located at the Museum of the Riverina's Botanic Gardens site.
The list of all inductees can be viewed via the Museum of the Riverina website.
