BENDIGO’S Jacob Nolan has shown plenty of dash, character and class on the track during the 2017-18 Victorian Athletic League season.
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The 23-year-old lives his life away from the track with the same gracious professionalism and respect he affords his rivals.
Nolan has pledged to donate all his winnings from this athletics season to Righteous Pups Australia (RPA).
That includes the $800 first prize purse from his victory in the backmarkers mile on night three of the Bendigo International Madison carnival.
Nolan has been in career-best form this season and won four races since January.
His purple patch started in the 3200m at the Wangaratta Gift on January 27.
The middle-distance star followed up with a 1600m triumph at Ballarat and 800m victory at Keilor in the first two weeks of February.
Those wins together with a string of minor placings has netted $5000 for RPA – a non-profit organisation founded in Bendigo that provides support to young people with a disability by training autism assistance dogs.
RPA also runs a substantial program for youth deemed to be at significant educational risk.
Nolan said he had first become aware of the organisation through fellow Bendigo athlete Adam Parker.
“Adam helps out with training the dogs, so I thought they would be a worthy organisation to donate my prize money too,” he said.
“I really wanted to do something worthwhile, (and) try and make a difference.
“It’s only a small amount, but I hope it helps out in the long run.
“Hopefully a few other people might get inspired by it and give some money as well”
Nolan, who represents Bendigo Athletic Club, will also donate the proceeds of a fun run he is organising in April to the cause.
RPA managing director Joanne Baker said everyone involved with the organisation had been overwhelmed by Nolan’s generosity and selflessness.
“We are blown away and absolutely impressed with the character of this young man,” she said.
“He has worked hard all year to have the success he’s had and then to give that all away for something in his community shows the calibre of those young man.
“He’s trained hard all year and I’m sure there is equipment and gear he needs and plenty of reasons for him to focus on himself, but he has chosen to focus on blessing other people.
“We are impressed with his gift, but absolutely blown away by his character.”
Nolan will next head to Euroa this weekend and Parkdale, ahead of the Stawell Gift Carnival from March 31 to April 2.
Stawell is the one venue where success has eluded the Bendigo athlete, but given his rich vein of form, he hopes the trend can be broken this year.
“The handicappers wanted me to lift my game after Daylesford (January 7), so that’s what I’ve done – I’ve started winning races exactly as they asked,” he said.
“(Sunday night) was one of the best wins I have ever had – my coach John Burke was very proud.
“Especially in front of a home crowd, it doesn’t get better than that.”