ALMOST 40 community sport stars have been shortlisted for Ipswich City Council’s 2024 Ipswich Sports Awards.
More than 20 sports were represented in the nominations this year.
The annual Ipswich Sports Awards recognise the contributions of athletes as well as coaches and volunteers.
“Ipswich has always been a sport-mad city, but it’s clear we are in a real purple patch of stars across a host of sporting codes, with the Paris Olympics and Paralympics most recently demonstrating our community’s talent on an international stage,” Cr Jacob Madsen said.
“Council is proud to recognise the significant contributions made to our sporting community through this year’s eight categories.”
The eight categories are: Senior Sportsperson of the Year, Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Masters Sportsperson of the Year, Team of the Year, Sporting Organisation of the Year, Coach of the Year, Official of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
“Finalists have been selected from a rich pool of talent across sports from swimming, boxing, equestrian, golf, tennis and more,” Cr Madsen said.
Council is currently planning major expansions of facilities at both Tivoli Sporting Complex and Redbank Plains Recreations Reserve which will include additional fields, parking and amenities.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 6 at the Ipswich Civic Centre.
The 2024 Ipswich Sports Awards finalists are:
• Senior Sportsperson of the Year: Archie Graham – Tennis; Charlize Goody – Athletics; Henry Blackledge – Football; Jason Ralph – Basketball;
• Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Allira Takau – Athletics; Chase Oberle – Golf; Eli Bruggemann – Swimming, Water Polo; Holyee-Ann Jackson – BMX Racing; Isabela Hoyos – Football; Liana Doyle – Softball; Mitchell Harte – Indoor Cricket; Monique Williams – Athletics; Rhani Hagan – Touch, Rugby 7s; Shalom Sauaso – Rugby League, Rugby Union; Tahlia Kokkinis –Tennis; Zachiarias Carvolth – Swimming.
• Masters Sportsperson of the Year: Christopher Davies – Para Archery; Lisa Blackburn – Bodybuilding; Samuel Overton – Equestrian (Show Jumping); Steven Graham – Weightlifting.
• Coach of the Year: Jessica Cashman – Boxing; Johnny Black – Boxing; Jonathan Auguste – Athletics; Stephen Ballhause – Swimming; Theresa Stolberg – Athletics; Thomas Harris – Swimming.
• Volunteer of the Year: Alan Hansen – Archery; Janis Price – Netball; Megan Hayne – Equestrian; Scott Willoughby – Australian Football.
• Team of the Year: Ipswich Grammar School Track and Field Team; Ipswich Force Basketball NBL1 Men’s Team; Ipswich Grammar Swimming Club Master’s Team.
• Official of the Year: Bianca Delaforce – Swimming; Isikeli Kaufusi – Basketball; Steve Rogers – Hockey.
• Sporting Organisation of the Year; Ipswich Basketball Association; Ipswich Grammar Swimming Club; Rosewood Hack and Pony Club.
