IPSWICH’S international sporting reputation and strong family connections have been showcased in the 2025 Ipswich Sports Awards.
The latest winners included world championships sprinter Gout Gout and Samoan rugby league player Shalom Sauaso, who also shared in the recent Brisbane Broncos NRLW grand final victory.
Junior Sportsperson of the Year Gout Gout received a rockstar reception at the awards ceremony held at the Ipswich Civic Centre.
He was joined by his mentor Diane Sheppard, who was fittingly named Coach of the Year.
“I’m so proud of myself,” Gout Gout said, praising his family and friends for his welcoming upbringing and calm approach.
“It’s the place I grew up so I’m pretty used to it, pretty relaxed.”
Among the popular sprinter’s achievements was winning a silver medal in the 200m at the 2024 World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
After setting records and also representing Australia at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo, Gout Gout was also delighted his mentor was awarded Coach of the Year.
“She’s very important to me,” he said of Di.
“It’s just her overall encouragement and how she coaches me.
“She’s an amazing person and coach.”
Senior Sportsperson of the Year Shalom was planning to put her $2,000 prizemoney towards buying a house for her supportive parents.
“I’ve just been saving. My goal is to buy my family a house,” she said.
“That’s what I’ve already started on.”
The former Springfield Panthers, Ipswich State High School student and rising Broncos star regularly cheers on her brothers Samson and TJ in the Rugby League Ipswich competition.
Samson shared in Redbank Plains’ 28-24 A-Grade grand final victory after TJ was part of the Bears’ under-18 side that beat Norths Blue 26-14 in the Division 1 title decider.
“It’s good to go and watch my brothers,” Shalom said, having honed her football skills doing extra sessions with her siblings.
“My family is super tight.
“Everything that I do, everything that I’ve worked for as well as my brothers – everything that they do – they do it for my parents because honestly, no-one knows how hard they work behind closed doors. No one gets to see the real work.
“My hat definitely goes off to my parents.”
Shalom, 18, has just finished representing the Samoan rugby league side in two Pacific Championships matches after helping the Brisbane Broncos win the recent NRLW grand final in Sydney.
The NRLW Rookie of the Year has re-signed with the Broncos until the end of the 2027 season.
In her most recent match for Samoa, she played against her Ipswich-bred Broncos teammate and Australian Jillaroos co-captain Ali Brigginshaw in the Pacific Championship encounter the Aussies 60-0 at Suncorp Stadium.
“I met Ali from school, ever since I was a little young’un,” Shalom said, having graduated last year.
“To now be playing alongside her is a big privilege and an honour and I’m grateful to be able to do that.”
The former Australian Schoolgirls rugby league captain played a starring role in Ipswich State High’s historic 2024 national championship success.
She also represented the Queensland Reds women in rugby union, along with being captain of the Australian schoolgirls’ Rugby Sevens team.
Shalom was having a short break before resuming Broncos’ pre-season training.
Ipswich’s trademark sporting diversity was highlighted at the latest Ipswich City Council-backed Sports Awards function, attended by 170 guests.
Volunteer of the Year CJ Mulvogue appreciated the support she received in her tremendous youth development work at the Collingwood Park AFL Club.
Official of the Year Amanda Bedford also thanked her family after she spent time away performing diverse roles at many major swimming championships.
The city’s swimming achievements were also celebrated with the Ipswich Grammar club named Sporting Organisation of the Year for an unprecedented period of success.
Ipswich Grammar club supporter and international masters’ competitor Rob Chrzescijanski shared in a memorable awards night being named Masters Sportsperson of the Year.
The Ipswich Force under-14 Force girls’ basketball team were chosen for the Team of the Year award after their state and national club championship successes.
HONOUR BOARD
2025 Ipswich Sports Awards winners
Senior Sportsperson: Shalom Sauaso (rugby league and rugby union)
Junior Sportsperson: Gout Gout (athletics)
Coach of the Year: Diane Sheppard (athletics)
Team of the Year: U14 Ipswich Force girls (basketball)
Sporting Organisation: Ipswich Grammar Swimming Club
Official of the Year: Amanda Bedford (swimming)
Volunteer of the Year: CJ Mulvogue (Collingwood Park Power AFL)
Masters Sportsperson: Rob Chrzescijanski (swimming)
