North Queensland’s outstanding athletes, teams and sporting contributors were celebrated on Saturday, 17 October, at the 36th North Queensland Sportstar Awards, hosted by the North Queensland Sports Foundation at the Tanks Arts Centre in Cairns.
Around 170 guests from across the region attended the historic event, marking the first time Cairns has hosted the awards. The evening recognised sporting excellence, community contribution and the achievements of athletes who continue to inspire the next generation.
Celebrating achievement across the region
The 2026 awards showcased the remarkable diversity of sporting talent across North Queensland, recognising achievements from grassroots clubs and emerging juniors through to elite athletes and dedicated sporting volunteers.
Basketball, track and field, cricket and other sports featured among the evening’s major honours, with Courtney Woods named Senior Sportstar of the Year, Uwezo Lubenda awarded Junior Sportstar of the Year and the Townsville Fire taking home Team of the Year.
Other winners included Alan Slack for Masters of Sport, Harrup Park and Mackay Cricket for Sports Excellence, Matt Shepherd for Para-Athlete of the Year and Allegra Clarke for Rural and Remote Sportstar. Ross Jensen and Taylor Worth shared the Sports Impact Award.
The Alan Ticehurst OAM Memorial Service to Sport Award also recognised Peter Sumpter, Robyn Potts, Joseph Pennisi and Kym McPhee-Smith for their contributions to sport.
Honouring sporting legends and inspiring the next generation
A highlight of the evening was the induction of four outstanding athletes into the North Queensland Sports Hall of Fame: Billy Slater, Patrick Johnson, Joyce Lester and Tracey Hannah.
Their achievements and personal journeys celebrated the legacy of North Queensland sport while inspiring the next generation to pursue their own sporting ambitions.
The future of regional sport was also recognised through a special $5,000 scholarship awarded to junior hockey player Franky Baker by Natalie Cook and The Aussie Athlete Fund. Having represented Australia at under-18 level, Baker is among the young athletes working towards their sporting dreams, with Brisbane 2032 on the horizon.
Recognising the people who make sport possible
The awards celebrated not only sporting success but also the coaches, officials, volunteers, clubs and families who help create opportunities for athletes across North Queensland.
NQSF Chair and Cairns Councillor Rhonda Coghlan praised the exceptional talent emerging from community clubs and junior sport, highlighting the region’s impressive number of national champions.
NQSF CEO Alexander J. Fisher said the evening demonstrated the depth of talent and commitment throughout North Queensland.
“From world-class athletes to the volunteers who keep our clubs running, these awards are about recognising the people who make regional sport happen,” Mr Fisher said.
Spanning a region from the Torres Strait to Sarina, the NQ Sportstar Awards continue to shine a light on the people and stories that make North Queensland sport so special.
Congratulations to all the 2026 winners, finalists, inductees and sporting contributors who continue to inspire their communities and help shape the future of sport across the region.
2026 NQ Sportstar Awards – Full Results
Alan Ticehurst Memorial Service to Sport Lifetime Achievement:
- Peter Sumpter
- Robyn Potts
- Joseph Pennisi
- Kym McPhee-Smith
Masters of Sport Award:
- Winner: Alan Slack – Powerlifting
- Runner Up: Harry Bligh – Table Tennis
Sports Impact Award:
- Joint Winners: Ross Jensen – Basketball and Taylor Worth – Rugby League
- Runner Up: Alan Walsh – Table Tennis
Sports Excellence Award:
- Winner: Harrup Park and Mackay Cricket
- Runner Up: Allan Jerfferson – Ultra Endurance Cycling
Junior Sportstar of the Year:
- Winner: Uwezo Lubenda – Track and Field
- Runner Up: Alyssa Mathieu – Sailing
Para-Athlete of the Year:
- Winner: Matt Shepherd – Track and Field
- Runner Up: Lindsey Hendy
Team of the Year:
- Winner: Townsville Fire – Basketball
- Runner Up: Cairns Marlins NBL1 Team – Basketball
Rural and Remote Sportstar Award:
- Winner: Allegra Clarke – Track and Field
- Runner Up: Ceon Dempsey – Athletics, Football & Esports
Senior Sportstar of the Year:
- Winner: Courtney Woods – Basketball
- Runner Up: Isiah Girren – Muay Thai
2026 Hall of Fame Inductees:
- Billy Slater
- Patrick Johnson
- Joyce Lester
- Tracey Hannah
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