2025 Sportstar Awards

coming soon to cairns in 2026

The north queensland Sportstar awards

Since 1991 the North Queensland Sports Foundation has been recognising elite talent from the region.

In 2026, we’re excited to be taking the awards to Cairns Regional Council for the very first time.

Nominees

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Prizes Awarded

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Years Running

Winners

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2025 Award Winners

Senior Sportstar
Winner – Alexander Ferlazzo – Luge (Townsville)
Runner up – Liam Paro – Boxing (Mackay)

Junior Sportstar
Winner – Uwezo Lubenda – Sprinting (Townsville)
Runner up – Dylan Wright – Waterskiing (Cairns)

Rural & Remote Sportstar
Winner – Cade Furguson – Rodeo (Cloncurry)
Runner up –Jack Larsen – Go Karting (Hinchinbrook)

Para Athlete of the Year
Winner – Dale Potter – Bowling & Bocce (Mackay)
Runner up – Sidney Whipp – Goalball (Cairns)

Team of the Year
Winner – U18 Mackay Meteorettes – Basketball (Mackay)
Runner up – F/TR Team – Shooting (Burdekin)

Masters
Winner – John McKaig – Swimming (Townsville)
Runner up –Roscoe McDonnell – Athletics (Mackay)

Service to Sport
Winner – Lenny Chiesa – Surf Life Saving & Rugby League (Hinchinbrook)
Runner Up – Beverley Knowles – Special Olympics – (Townsville)

Sporting Impact
Winner – Lewis Fuller – Dragon Boating (Townsville)
Runner up – Kimberley Doyle – Special Olympics (Mackay)

Sporting Excellence
Winner – Karin Thorburn– Celebrating her 500th Marathon (Burdekin)

PROUD TO BE NORTH QUEENSLAND

Leading with Sustainable Sports Awards for our Finalists

Thanks to our partners we created bespoke wooden awards, handcrafted and designed over months of planning.

Each award was made from wood sourced from Kirrily — a tree born in 1824 on Wulgurukaba Country, which fell during Cyclone Kirrily in January 2024.

The Longest Running Awards Celebrating Sporting Excellence in North Queensland

NQ Sportstar Awards Partners

As a not-for-profit organisation with a reach over 700,000 people and across 25+ Local Government Council Areas across North Queensland, we rely on the generous support of sponsors and partners to deliver our prestigious Sportstar Awards. Your contribution helps us continue recognising outstanding athletes, coaches, and support staff and strengthens grassroots sport across the region.

Contact us to learn how you can partner with us and make a lasting impact into your community.

coming soon to cairns in 2026

The north queensland Sportstar awards

Senior SportstarWinner – Alexander Ferlazzo – Luge (Townsville)Runner up – Liam Paro – Boxing (Mackay)

Junior SportstarWinner – Uwezo Lubenda – Sprinting (Townsville)Runner up – Dylan Wright – Waterskiing (Cairns)

Rural & Remote Sportstar Winner – Cade Furguson – Rodeo (Cloncurry)Runner up –Jack Larsen – Go Karting (Hinchinbrook)

Para Athlete of the YearWinner – Dale Potter – Bowling & Bocce (Mackay)Runner up – Sidney Whipp – Goalball (Cairns)

Team of the Year Winner – U18 Mackay Meteorettes – Basketball (Mackay)Runner up – F/TR Team – Shooting (Burdekin)

MastersWinner – John McKaig – Swimming (Townsville)Runner up –Roscoe McDonnell – Athletics (Mackay)

Service to SportWinner – Lenny Chiesa – Surf Life Saving & Rugby League (Hinchinbrook)Runner Up – Beverley Knowles – Special Olympics – (Townsville)

Sporting Impact Winner – Lewis Fuller – Dragon Boating (Townsville)Runner up – Kimberley Doyle – Special Olympics (Mackay)

Sporting ExcellenceWinner – Karin Thorburn– Celebrating her 500th Marathon (Burdekin)