Nearly 40 athletes, coaches, and volunteers have been shortlisted for the 2024 Ipswich Sports Awards, showcasing the depth of talent within the city’s sporting community. The annual awards, organised by Ipswich City Council, celebrate not only athletes but the coaches, volunteers, and officials who help drive success in local sports.
Councillor Jacob Madsen, Chairperson of the Community and Sport Committee, expressed pride in the range of nominees across more than 20 different sports this year. “Ipswich has always been sport-mad, but we are truly in a purple patch of talent, with the Paris Olympics and Paralympics recently showing the world what our community can achieve,” said Cr Madsen.
The eight award categories this year include Senior Sportsperson, Junior Sportsperson, Masters Sportsperson, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Official of the Year, and Sporting Organisation of the Year.
Cr Madsen highlighted the ongoing investment in local sports infrastructure, with major expansions planned for Tivoli Sporting Complex and Redbank Plains Recreational Reserve. “Council is committed to providing the facilities our community needs to continue thriving,” he said.
The 2024 Ipswich Sport Awards finalists represent a wide variety of disciplines, from swimming, tennis, and athletics, to boxing, equestrian, and rugby. Standout nominees for Senior Sportsperson of the Year include Archie Graham (Tennis) and Charlize Goody (Athletics), while Junior Sportsperson of the Year sees strong contenders like Allira Takau (Athletics) and Mitchell Harte (Indoor Cricket). The Ipswich Force Basketball NBL1 Men’s Team has been shortlisted for Team of the Year.
Winners will be announced at a special ceremony on Wednesday, 6 November, at the Ipswich Civic Centre.
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
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