For the first time in its history, the North Queensland Sportstar Awards were held in Mount Isa, bringing the region’s most prestigious sporting celebration to the heart of outback Queensland. Organized by the North Queensland Sports Foundation (NQSF) and proudly hosted by Mount Isa City Council, the event honored exceptional athletes, volunteers, and grassroots contributors while highlighting the unifying power of sport in regional communities.
A Regional Celebration of Sporting Excellence
Hosting the Sportstar Awards in Mount Isa for the first time was a significant milestone, demonstrating the importance of bringing major sporting events to regional areas. The event provided local athletes and community members with unprecedented access to sporting legends, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to recognizing and supporting North Queensland’s diverse sporting landscape.
Mount Isa Mayor Peta MaCrae expressed pride in welcoming the awards to the region:
“It’s an exciting opportunity being the first time it’s been held in our city – this is something I have been lobbying for”
“Mount Isa has a rich and varied sporting history and it will be a great way for us to celebrate that.”
Key Highlights from the 2024 Sportstar Awards
- Celebrating Sporting Excellence: Awards were presented across eight categories, recognizing achievements from junior athletes to masters and teams. Among the standout winners was Grant “Scooter” Patterson, who took home the Athlete with a Disability award.
- Special Guests & Community Engagement: The event featured a star-studded lineup, with NRL legend Ben Hannant as keynote speaker and Zara Margolis as MC. Special VIP guests included Paralympian Ellie Simmonds and Olympian Tori West, who actively engaged with the Mount Isa community through meet-and-greet sessions, Tharrapatha Way Parkrun, and Splashez Pool events.
- Economic Boost for Mount Isa: With 132 attendees, the event injected $45,000 into the local economy through visitor spending and contributed an additional $25,000 by engaging local businesses for event services.
- Showcasing Local Culture: Entertainment on the night featured talented local artists “We Love Vinyl”, while community fitness events and networking opportunities strengthened the region’s social and sporting connections.
North Queensland Sportstar Award Winners 2024
NQ Sportstar of the Year
Runner up: Nick Carling
Winner: Tori West
NQ Rural & Remote Sportstar of the Year
Runner up: Quincey Barwick
Winner: Cade Furgeson
NQ Junior Sportstar of the Year
Runner up: Kristen Rowlands
Winner: Sienna Monteith
NQ Masters Sportstar of the Year
Runner up: Leigh Ryan
Winner: Mark Bradley
NQ Athlete with a Disability Sportstar of the Year
Runner up: Damon Jaenke
Winner: Grant (Scooter) Patterson
NQ Sportstar Team of the Year
Runner up: Mackay Meteors
Winner: QLD U19 Underwater Hockey
NQ Service to Sport Sportstar of the Year
Runner up:Xavier Barker
Winner: Lyn Derry
NQ Sporting Excellence Award
Mathew Fox
Congratulations again to all nominees and finalists. This collaborative effort resulted in a spectacular celebration of sport that brought people and communities together from across the Northern and Northwestern regions to Mount Isa.
For more information on The Sportstar Awards contact us:
www.nqsports.com.au
admin@nqsports.com.au
