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.
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.
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,” said the Mayor.
“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.”
