The Gold Coast sport’s night of nights is set to return with the Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year Awards and it’s time to make your voice heard and support those who have worked tirelessly to make their mark in the world of sports.
The finalists for the 1029 Hot Tomato’s People’s Choice Award are in, and now it’s your chance to have your say.
The night, held on March 25 at the RACV Royal Pines, will celebrate the hard work of our region’s most talented young athletes, grassroots clubs, and sports volunteers across the 2022 sports season.
Don’t miss out on the excitement – meet the nominees below and cast your vote now!
BENOWA SHS VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM
Benowa SHS girls’ volleyball team has dominated the courts, making history with their recent wins. Not only did the Year 10 team defy expectations by taking out the Open Honours Division at the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup (AVSC) in 2021, but the team also triumphed as national champions at the 2022 AVSC, taking out the tournament undefeated.
Benowa SHS made history by becoming the only Gold Coast school to be crowned national volleyball champions. With their victory, along with the Year 8 Girls’ win in 2022, the school is now ranked as the third-best girls’ volleyball program in the country.
Their impressive streak continued with a comfortable win at the 2023 Senior Schools Cup, where Kayla Stevens was voted player of the tournament. Congratulations to the talented players and coaches: Amy McCarthy, Kayla Stevens, Ruby Brady, Grace Milne, Mollirose Milne, Jersey Antonie, Ayesha Brown, Samantha Bennett, Saraiyah Pene, Guilia Griffi, Nadia Large, Gavin Mackay, and Kerry Style.
COOMERA DRAGONS DRAGON BOAT CLUB JUNIOR TEAM
The Coomera Dragons have made waves in the world of dragon boating with the launch of their competitive junior squad at the start of the 2022 season. The squad, consisting of young paddlers aged 8-17, was created to compete in local and national regattas, and ultimately, representing Australia at the world championships.
Their vision has become a reality, as the Coomera Dragons have established themselves as one of the first clubs in Southeast Queensland to have a junior team for the 2022 season. Their success has also inspired other clubs to follow suit, with the emergence of the new junior team, Brisbane Typhoon.
In time, the young paddlers have competed at various regattas from the Sunshine Coast to Currumbin, hosted by local clubs, and have proudly taken home twelve trophies.
GOLD COAST ROLLER SPORTS TEAM
Gold Coast Roller Sports (GCRS) has had an incredibly successful year, with skaters from both of their venues – Runaway Bay indoor sports complex and Epic Skate Rink (Tweed Heads) – making it to the state and international teams. This impressive feat is a testament to the hard work and dedication of GCRS coaches and skaters.
In October 2022, GCRS competed in the World Skate Oceania Artistic Roller Skating Championship in Whanganui, New Zealand. The team, led by coaches Sharon Foers and Leigh Joplin, and talented skaters Tamara Carney, Ashley Bryden, Jazmine Cooke, Teneka Reid, and Georgina Foers, performed exceptionally well, showcasing their skills and representing their club with pride.
At the 2022 Queensland Artistic Roller Skating State Championships held at Mt Warren Sports Center, every GCRS skater who competed made it to the state team for the Australian Artistic Roller Skating Championships in July 2022.
KEY DETAILS
The 54th annual Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year Awards will be held on March 25 at the RACV Royal Pines and will feature a three-course dinner and entertainment to celebrate not only the region’s sporting stars but the hard work of sports volunteers and personalities.
The night will award athletes including Sports Star of the Year, Para Sport Sports Star of the Year, the Daphne Pirie AO MBE Spirit of Sport Medallists, Eximm Junior Sports Volunteer, City of Gold Coast Mayor’s Sports Award and more.
For more information and to vote, click here.
