Published Thursday, 29 November, 2007 at 06:29 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence Congratulates Sporting Stars and Supporters on a Year of Triumph
Queensland’s sports industry will celebrate the achievements of our leading athletes, at the Sports Federation of Queensland annual awards ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre tonight.
Sport Minister Judy Spence will present the Service to Sport award and also present awards to Queensland’s Coach of the Year and Officiator of the Year, recognising the outstanding contributions of those who work hard behind the scenes.
“Tonight’s ceremony is about recognising the efforts and achievements of all Queenslanders involved in elite sport,” Ms Spence said.
“While it is generally the athletes who command the attention of the public and the media, it is also very important to acknowledge the contributions of others within the industry.
“The contribution of referees and umpires, for example, is vital to the ongoing success of sport at the grass roots level, right through to the elite level. Without them there wouldn’t be a sporting contest for our athletes to compete in.
“Likewise, our coaches are often forgotten amid the hype of a sporting victory, so it is great to be able to pay tribute to their efforts, through awards such as these.”
Ms Spence said a total of 55 nominees from a wide range of sports have been selected as finalists across nine awards categories.
“The nominees represent the best of our State’s junior and senior sporting talent, as well as the hard-working administrators, officials and volunteers who keep our sports clubs running year after year,” Ms Spence said.
“The Queensland Government is serious about promoting physical activity as an important component in our ongoing fight against obesity and we are committed to working with the Sports Federation of Queensland to foster increased participation.
“We spend more on sport than any other state, with this year’s budget providing $143 Million for Sport in Queensland.
“Our commitment to improving sporting opportunities for all Queenslanders will ensure our athletes can continue to shine on the world stage, while everyday Queenslanders will also have the opportunity to get active and be healthy through sport and recreation.”
“The Government also works closely with the Sports Federation and industry stakeholders on a range of issues, including encouraging positive behaviours in junior sport, using water resources efficiently in sporting clubs and fostering child-safe, risk-managed sporting environments.
“We will continue to work together to ensure Queensland maintains its reputation as a state of sporting excellence.”
Finalists for the 2007 Sports Federation of Queensland Awards
2007 Queensland Sport Star of the Year
Duncan Free - Rowing
Matt Hayden - Cricket
Zane Holmes - Surf Life Saving
Libby Lenton - Swimming
Sam Mackinnon - Basketball
Anna Meares - Cycling
Johnathan Thurston - Rugby League
2007 Queensland Junior Sport Star of the Year
Kelsey Cottrell - Bowls
Byron Davis - Cycling
Brooke Fletcher - Surf Life Saving
Melinda McLeod - BMX
Renae Perkins - Taekwondo
Nicholas Tubbs – Football
2007 Queensland Sport Team of the Year
Australian Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Swim Team
Brisbane Bullets Basketball Team
Queensland State of Origin Team
Queensland Women's Softball Team
Triple Eight Race Engineering Motor Racing Team
2007 Queensland Junior Sport Team of the Year
AFL Queensland U16 Team
Queensland U15 Girls Cricket Team
Queensland U17 State Netball Team
Queensland Junior Equestrian Eventing Team
Queensland School Sport 18yrs and Under Girls Touch Team
Queensland U16 Girls Softball Team
2007 Queensland Sport Administrator of the Year
Kate Eggar - Taekwondo
Nick Jeffrey - AFL
Heather McLaren - Netball
Damien Mullins - Cricket
Kent Wells – Polocrosse
2007 Queensland Sport Coach of the Year
John Buchanan - Cricket
Margaret Dilger - Hockey
David Finch - Equestrian
Mal Meninga - Rugby League
Pat O'Keeffe - Surf Life Saving
Ross Shepherd - Polocrosse
Stephan Widmer – Swimming
2007 Queensland Sport Event of the Year
2007 Australian University Games
2007 Ridley Polocrosse World Cup
2007 Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships
2007 Festival of Lifesaving
2006 First Ashes Cricket Test - Australia v England
2006 Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival
2006 Lexmark Indy 300
2007 Queensland Sport Officiator of the Year
John Brennan - Surf Life Saving
Kerry Lister - Taekwondo
Karen Macleod - Swimming
Tammy Ogston - Football
Peter Parker - Cricket
Mark Shield – Football
2007 Queensland Sport Volunteer of the Year
Steve Handsaker - Athletics
Kath Harris - Taekwondo
Toni Jepson - Water Polo
John Stoddart - Cricket
Cheryl Vince - BMX
Craig Williams - Surf Life Saving
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell 0439 673 287
Sport Minister Judy Spence will present the Service to Sport award and also present awards to Queensland’s Coach of the Year and Officiator of the Year, recognising the outstanding contributions of those who work hard behind the scenes.
“Tonight’s ceremony is about recognising the efforts and achievements of all Queenslanders involved in elite sport,” Ms Spence said.
“While it is generally the athletes who command the attention of the public and the media, it is also very important to acknowledge the contributions of others within the industry.
“The contribution of referees and umpires, for example, is vital to the ongoing success of sport at the grass roots level, right through to the elite level. Without them there wouldn’t be a sporting contest for our athletes to compete in.
“Likewise, our coaches are often forgotten amid the hype of a sporting victory, so it is great to be able to pay tribute to their efforts, through awards such as these.”
Ms Spence said a total of 55 nominees from a wide range of sports have been selected as finalists across nine awards categories.
“The nominees represent the best of our State’s junior and senior sporting talent, as well as the hard-working administrators, officials and volunteers who keep our sports clubs running year after year,” Ms Spence said.
“The Queensland Government is serious about promoting physical activity as an important component in our ongoing fight against obesity and we are committed to working with the Sports Federation of Queensland to foster increased participation.
“We spend more on sport than any other state, with this year’s budget providing $143 Million for Sport in Queensland.
“Our commitment to improving sporting opportunities for all Queenslanders will ensure our athletes can continue to shine on the world stage, while everyday Queenslanders will also have the opportunity to get active and be healthy through sport and recreation.”
“The Government also works closely with the Sports Federation and industry stakeholders on a range of issues, including encouraging positive behaviours in junior sport, using water resources efficiently in sporting clubs and fostering child-safe, risk-managed sporting environments.
“We will continue to work together to ensure Queensland maintains its reputation as a state of sporting excellence.”
Finalists for the 2007 Sports Federation of Queensland Awards
2007 Queensland Sport Star of the Year
Duncan Free - Rowing
Matt Hayden - Cricket
Zane Holmes - Surf Life Saving
Libby Lenton - Swimming
Sam Mackinnon - Basketball
Anna Meares - Cycling
Johnathan Thurston - Rugby League
2007 Queensland Junior Sport Star of the Year
Kelsey Cottrell - Bowls
Byron Davis - Cycling
Brooke Fletcher - Surf Life Saving
Melinda McLeod - BMX
Renae Perkins - Taekwondo
Nicholas Tubbs – Football
2007 Queensland Sport Team of the Year
Australian Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Swim Team
Brisbane Bullets Basketball Team
Queensland State of Origin Team
Queensland Women's Softball Team
Triple Eight Race Engineering Motor Racing Team
2007 Queensland Junior Sport Team of the Year
AFL Queensland U16 Team
Queensland U15 Girls Cricket Team
Queensland U17 State Netball Team
Queensland Junior Equestrian Eventing Team
Queensland School Sport 18yrs and Under Girls Touch Team
Queensland U16 Girls Softball Team
2007 Queensland Sport Administrator of the Year
Kate Eggar - Taekwondo
Nick Jeffrey - AFL
Heather McLaren - Netball
Damien Mullins - Cricket
Kent Wells – Polocrosse
2007 Queensland Sport Coach of the Year
John Buchanan - Cricket
Margaret Dilger - Hockey
David Finch - Equestrian
Mal Meninga - Rugby League
Pat O'Keeffe - Surf Life Saving
Ross Shepherd - Polocrosse
Stephan Widmer – Swimming
2007 Queensland Sport Event of the Year
2007 Australian University Games
2007 Ridley Polocrosse World Cup
2007 Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships
2007 Festival of Lifesaving
2006 First Ashes Cricket Test - Australia v England
2006 Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival
2006 Lexmark Indy 300
2007 Queensland Sport Officiator of the Year
John Brennan - Surf Life Saving
Kerry Lister - Taekwondo
Karen Macleod - Swimming
Tammy Ogston - Football
Peter Parker - Cricket
Mark Shield – Football
2007 Queensland Sport Volunteer of the Year
Steve Handsaker - Athletics
Kath Harris - Taekwondo
Toni Jepson - Water Polo
John Stoddart - Cricket
Cheryl Vince - BMX
Craig Williams - Surf Life Saving
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell 0439 673 287