City’s most successful sporting organisation among high achievers
In the second part of Ipswich’s leading sports achievers series, the finalists are showcased in the coach, team, sporting organisation and volunteer of the year categories. See the elite contenders.
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The countdown is on to celebrating the exceptional efforts of Ipswich’s leading sporting achievers.
The annual City of Ipswich Sports Awards function on October 29 will bring together the city’s outstanding performers for a massive night showcasing incredible dedication.
The quality of nominees across the eight categories is exceptional.
In the second part of Ipswich’s leading sports achievers series, the dedicated finalists are profiled in the coach, team, sporting organisation and volunteer of the year categories.
See the star quality being recognised.
PART ONE: Form guide for the senior, junior, official and masters finalists
COACH OF THE YEAR
Rebecca Ungermann (North Booval)
Popularly known as Bec, the former international triathlete continues to inspire competitors across a range of ages and abilities.
Being a podiatrist with Health Queensland, she shares her coaching qualifications across multiple areas.
She mainly coaches triathlon through her BOSS Multisport Club.
She creates introductory mini courses for newcomers, especially women in her LadyBOSS program.
The personal trainer is a running coach with the Ipswich Hospital Foundation, assists Good Life and offers cross country and triathlon coaching at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar.
Her other roles include heading the Masters Swim Squad at Bundamba pool.
Bec has represented Australia five times, moving from triathlons into ironman competition.
She facilitates coaching courses with Triathlon Australia.
Bec also encourages and motivates athletes during group sessions, specially devised programs and training camps.
She has played a key role in recent Tuff Kidz triathlons for beginners.
Another part of her important work is organising fundraising events with guest speakers focusing on women’s health.
Greg Bulow (Yamanto)
Greg is highly regarded for the incredible amount of work he has done for Ipswich softball from club to state titles level.
Greg has played an important role in Ipswich’s development academies run for the clubs, association and players and coaches chasing higher level goals.
When people ask him for his help, Greg enthusiastically offers his support.
Greg’s commitment to softball has spanned many years with a number of clubs.
Among his major work has been with the Ipswich women’s and men’s open teams and Tigers A-Grade women.
Last year, the Ipswich women won a state title with the men’s combination finishing runners-up at the President Cup competition.
Sara Rogers (Raceview)
How Sara finds the time to perform so many playing and coaching roles is the million dollar question.
But being a personal trainer helps provide an answer.
Sara’s commitment to hockey is incredible, continually adding new roles to her already busy schedule.
She spends the majority of her life playing, coaching and umpiring.
As a loyal member of Hancock Brothers Hockey Club since she started the sport, Sara took on the A-Grade men’s and women’s coaching roles when the opportunity arose.
That was as she continued playing A-Grade in Ipswich and in Brisbane and Gold Coast first division competitions.
Sara enjoyed a successful representative career as a player and captain, including stints with the Queensland and Australian Country teams.
However, it’s been in coaching in recent years where she’s shared her vast knowledge at a new level.
She has guided both Hancocks A-Grade teams to grand final victories and other successes throughout the Ipswich competition season.
She stepped up to work with the Queensland under-18 women’s team which won a national title this year.
Sara has also devoted considerable energy to the victorious Southern Cross under-18 team in Brisbane Women’s hockey.
As a state selector, she continues to improve her coaching knowledge.
At all levels, Sara encourages juniors.
Her multitude of achievements over the past 18 months earnt her Hockey Queensland’s Association Coach of the Year Award.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Collingwood Park senior men AFL
This year, Collingwood Park’s senior men’s team completed the regular season undefeated for the first time in the club’s history.
Beating Coorparoo 82-81 in a thrilling grand final performance enhanced their special achievement.
What made becoming QFA Division 4 premiers even more satisfying was the team was not rated a major contender at the start of the season.
The Collingwood Park footballers also had to show resilience with multiple games being abandoned due to Covid restrictions.
The men’s team formed a terrific bond, motivated by the club’s motto “make your mate look great’’.
Their efforts extended off the field, working with the community and junior teams.
This team celebrated this year’s Pride round and Sir Doug Nicholas round by embracing the club and community’s diversity.
Ipswich Falcons under 12 boys
Commitment and camaraderie were buzz words in the success of the Ipswich Falcons under-12 touch football team.
The young boys were selected to represent the Falcons in four carnivals, culminating in the Queensland Junior State Cup. That is where the Falcons showed incredible improvement to be unbeaten in the Division B competition.
In earlier carnivals, they had one victory in Toowoomba and Ipswich and two at Palm Beach before five wins and a draw in Hervey Bay during their successful run.
The boys were also undefeated in the social women’s competition on Monday nights.
Their dedication and team spirit working with their coach were acknowledged during a long season.
They trained Sunday afternoons, played Monday nights in the women’s competition and contested the carnivals.
Although many of the boys had other rugby league or rugby union commitments, they gave their all for the Falcons.
Ipswich Open women’s softball
Winning the 2020 Queensland state title was a magnificent effort for the Ipswich women.
It was the first time in 25 years that an Ipswich women’s softball side achieved that feat.
Ipswich beat Caboolture 2-1 in the grand final in Rockhampton to receive their deserved reward.
The team’s success was the culmination of two and a half years hard work, coming after Ipswich won the 2019 Presidents Cup.
At the Presidents Cup, the team displayed tremendous sportsmanship, donating their winning medals to the visiting women’s Defence Force side. The Defence Force team were unable to take home any accolades under the competition rules.
In 2020, with some new players, the Ipswich women went a step further bringing home a valued set of medals from the state championships and ending a title drought.
Ipswich women’s masters hockey
Winning a major title at the largest competition in the state is always satisfying.
But when you achieve that with a group of loyal Ipswich players, it is even more commendable.
That’s what the Ipswich women did in winning Hockey Queensland’s Division 2 Masters grand final this year.
The victorious group of women came together with six of the 15 players representing an Ipswich masters team for the first time. They came from six different clubs in four different grades within the association.
The championships in Warwick featured 48 teams from around the state challenging for higher level honours.
The Ipswich team displayed promising early form in their division, beating Redlands and drawing with Brisbane to finish second in their pool.
In the semi-final, Ipswich came from behind to beat Townsville 3-2 and qualify for the major game.
Ipswich overpowered Bundaberg 2-0 in a rematch after Bundaberg were the only team to earlier beat their grand final opponents.
The team was coached and managed by long standing experienced Ipswich masters duo Kylie Harnden and Amanda Hill.
Ipswich’s path to victory came facing tough conditions in rapidly changing weather.
The players displayed persistence, friendship and had to overcome adversity like injury and illness.
However, securing the state title earnt Ipswich promotion to the 2022 Division 1 masters competition after five years of working hard to return there.
SPORTING ORGANISATION
Cricket Ipswich
After being formed from a merger between the Ipswich and West Moreton Cricket Association and Ipswich Hornets, Cricket Ipswich officials knew they had a lot of work ahead of them.
However, the newly-formed committee was quickly on the proverbial front foot bringing all aspects of local cricket under the one structure.
Among the major benefits, led by new president Mike Stoodley, was building greater co-operation and engagement between the different levels of senior and junior community cricket.
A top priority was setting up an effective governance structure to deliver Cricket Ipswich’s many functions.
For the first time, a junior development Academy was established for representative players and to bolster coaching programs for juniors.
With Covid restrictions providing added challenges, Cricket Ipswich officials conducted a number of free or low cost come and try sessions. This was while engaging with Queensland Cricket to lift the profile of girls sport.
Other areas, like increasing sponsorship, embracing new technology and supporting veterans cricket, were targeted in unifying the sport in Ipswich.
Improving facilities at the Ivor Marsden cricket headquarters was also a focus.
Cricket Ipswich teams had impressive results in Queensland Premier Grade competitions as the merged operations took shape.
Junior and state school carnivals hosted by Cricket Ipswich were also successful, as part of an overriding goal to provide a clear pathway from under 6 Junior Blasters to Queensland Premier Grade level.
Ipswich and West Moreton BMX Club
Having just hosted the latest Queensland championships, Ipswich BMX officials showed the benefits of teamwork.
Ipswich put a stunning show of BMX competition with incredible organisational teamwork.
But even with earlier ongoing Covid restrictions and events being cancelled, the Ipswich club continued to cater for riders in Ipswich and surrounding areas.
The club had to adapt to many challenges including changes to BMX governing and having to reschedule come and try days, camps, training and coaching.
Family spirit and the resilience of riders were featured at the Willey Park facility.
With BMX being a year-round sport, Ipswich club officials worked hard to secure grants for upgrades and to maintain membership.
That included securing major funding for a new start gate mechanism, canteen upgrade and a track resurface.
State series medallions and hiring equipment came from other funding sources.
Club officials spent several months preparing for the AusCycle state titles in Ipswich.
Committee members had to provide conclusive evidence to AusCycle that the club could provide and effectively run the major event with new rules, new plans and Covid requirements.
The effort of volunteers and officials also made sure the right accreditation, licences and other criteria were in place.
Ongoing workshops and training were provided in conjunction with AusCycle.
For the first time, weekend camps run by trainers were held for all members.
Ipswich Hockey Association
Ipswich Hockey officials answered a difficult challenge by being one of a few Ipswich sporting organisations to restart a season last year after the Covid-19 disruptions.
Just one week of fixtures was held before the first major shutdown.
However, executive officials worked with members, clubs and the community to stage a shortened eight-week season with finals once play was allowed. That resulted in 80 per cent of members able to get back on the turf when the 2020 lockdown ended.
The rescued competition was possible due to an effective Covid Safe Plan and providing regular updates to the community on what was required to resume fixtures and training at the Briggs Road complex.
The Covid season drew interest from young players who were unable to play in their regular sports.
A number of them, who signed up to play in hockey’s shortened season, returned in the 2021 Ipswich season just completed. That included juniors from Toowoomba where their season did not resume.
In other achievements, about 50 Ipswich-based players were selected to represent Metropolitan West School Sport in 10-12 and 13-19 years teams.
Despite minimal opportunities for representative selection at a higher level, nine Ipswich players were chosen in Queensland School Sport Merit teams.
Talented Easts players like Samuel Savage and Lachlan Savage were able to participate in the U15 National Championships at Bathurst in April this year.
The boys were accompanied by umpires Hayden Michel and Natalie Walker.
Walker was a finalist in the Hockey Queensland Umpire of the Year Awards.
June Nicholls was also a finalist in the Hockey Queensland Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Ipswich Hockey and Met West stepped up to stage the Queensland School Sport 10-12 years state championships when the original host region was unable to due to Covid issues.
During the four-day carnival, Ipswich successfully hosted 21 teams.
Using the EVA Check In App for visitors, officials estimated about 670 people visited the Ipswich Hockey complex during the peak of the competition. This event was widely enjoyed by everyone involved, providing competition that was much needed after at tough year.
The championships also provided an opportunity to engage four small businesses who were impacted heavily due to Covid shutdowns.
Ipswich Kart Club
Over the past two years, Ipswich Kart Club officials embarked on a development program to increase membership and participation.
This successful program embraced huge numbers despite the Covid challenges.
The Willowbank facility, part of the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct, is widely regarded as the premier kart racing facility in Australia.
The Ipswich Kart Club is now the biggest kart racing club in Australia by membership (more than 750).
Club days average more than 265 entries. The February club round in Ipswich attracted 336 entries which is the biggest club day race meeting over the past 10 years in Australia.
Race meeting entry numbers have increased by more than 60% since 2019.
When no Covid lockdowns are in place, entries for club rounds are regularly received from interstate as well as from around Queensland.
These huge participation numbers bring significant income to the local community and businesses who support the club and members.
A major contributor to the growth in participation numbers and membership has been the regular Come and Try Days as part of the club’s Junior Development Program.
Over the past two years during the Covid challenges, the program introduced more than 200 participants to karting.
Club officials said about 30% of those participants advanced to competing.
Ipswich kart officials are also working on bolstering volunteer numbers.
Due to the high level of competition at club level events, Ipswich club members regularly race at an elite standard of competition. These racers are prominent in the National level Australian Kart Championship standings.
When the coronavirus first hit in early 2020, the Ipswich Kart Club Executive Committee and other members implemented a detailed Covid Safe Plan.
Ipswich was the first kart club in Australia to reopen, with practice activities and then racing in August 2020 under the approved plan.
Having secured grants, Ipswich Kart Club officials have provided new infrastructure and bolstered its Junior Development Program.
From general club revenue, club officials also implemented a multi camera track system, new pit lighting, new security gates and installation of a sewerage treatment and recycle plant.
Karting Australia invited the Ipswich Kart Club to again host the opening round of the Australian Karting Championship in 2021.
This was a significant event to organise with challenging logistics to accommodate a large amount of interstate visitors and their equipment.
This event brought in more than 300 interstate and intrastate visiting families, along with
industry partners and key officials.
In October 2020, the Ipswich club also hosted the Queensland State Championship at very short notice when the allocated host club declined to proceed.
With only six weeks notice, the club organised and ran a very successful event with 237 entries from across Queensland. This was a significant increase over the entry numbers for previous state events.
Rugby League Ipswich
A well-attended Indigenous All Stars match was one example of Rugby League Ipswich (RLI)’s willingness to kick ahead in uncertain times.
The match was staged in early March before the latest season to highlight the wonderful contribution Indigenous athletes continue to make to rugby league in the Ipswich area.
The gala game attracted players from Ipswich, Toowoomba and Brisbane, including former Australian and Queensland State of Origin star Willie Tonga.
An Indigenous jersey auction following the game raised more than $5000 for junior development initiatives such as the RISE Program in 2021.
RLI officials also undertook a successful project to field a female under-19 team in the inaugural Queensland Rugby League statewide competition.
With some clubs withdrawing from the 2020 fixtures due to Covid concerns, a Volunteers Cup series was organised, involving three Ipswich and three Toowoomba A-Grade competition sides.
The 10-week series from August to October was the first combined competition for senior clubs from the two cities.
The new level of engagement added something different for fans and players waiting for their respective city competitions to resume at a later stage.
RLI also employed a part-time staff member to support financial administration and governance protocols for the organisation.
Participation in Ipswich rugby league has grown by 4.6% in combined junior and senior numbers since 2019, providing a welcome “bounce back” from Covid impacts.
Social media and promotions volunteers encouraged growth and engagement in events and carnivals.
RLI also partnered with West Bremer Radio to broadcast and publicise the A Grade competition during 2021.
Over the past year, RLI officials secured grants for Covid restarts and for such items as a Medicab for use at the North Ipswich Reserve.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Scott Morrison (Riverview)
The Dinmore Bushrats Soccer Club president typifies the true value of volunteering.
Scott is highly regarded as the “King of Riverview’’ for the countless hours he devotes to overseeing all aspects of the club.
He played a major role in reforming the club and re-entering Bushrats teams in the Queensland Christian Soccer Association competition, after 20 years with no sides.
Even during the Covid-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons, the club experienced a major growth in numbers led by Scott’s commitment bringing soccer back to the historic area.
During the week, Scott often sends emails to the club at 1am while working on a multitude of tasks.
He still manages to get his four children off to school and fulfil his day job demands.
Scott is also acknowledged for his excellent communication, making sure everyone knows what they are doing for weekend fixtures.
He regularly takes leave days from his work to mark the fields in readiness for games.
On game day, Scott is the first to get to the ground and the last to leave.
He sets up the Bushrats tent for the canteen and arranges the goal cages, corner flags and nets.
During the day, he ensures the club is looked after.
Amanda Hollis (North Booval)
The Ipswich Eagles AFC secretary is a classic example of someone wanting to make a difference.
Although Amanda does not play the game, she dedicates an incredible amount of time to the sport.
Every week Amanda is at the CSI, a major sponsor, selling raffle tickets so she can help raise money for the club.
With a young child and a full-time job, this has meant sacrificing family time. She has raised more than $8000 for the club.
Amanda processes all the grants, does performance reviews and makes sure the Eagles seniors and juniors have enough administrative support.
Amanda is involved in co-ordinating the bar for home games and gets involved in water carrier duties.
She has also learnt to create a website for the club and been pivotal in developing and refining the governance of the Eagles.
That is all in addition to maintaining Covid protocols and looking after junior administration and registration.
June Nicholls (Brassall)
June was awarded the 2020 Ipswich Hockey Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of her invaluable contribution to the sport.
She specifically led the way as Ipswich Hockey’s Covid co-ordinator, helping get a shortened season back up and running after the major coronavirus shutdown last year.
June was quick to raise her hand and begin the massive task of tackling all the necessary requirements for safe hockey.
June worked with the eight club Covid co-ordinators so that training could resume. She attended every training session for the first few weeks to help educate teams on the Covid Safe practices.
June also assisted the Ipswich Hockey Executive Committee on fixture days, providing a presence and answering questions the community had in relation to the practices put in place.
June’s Public Health and Infection Control knowledge was put to good use.
The dedicated volunteer continued in the role for the 2021 season working closely with the executive committee to ensure Ipswich Hockey was compliant in Government regulations and restrictions.
June was recognised as a finalist in the Hockey Queensland 2020 Volunteer of the Year Awards.
She has been on the executive committee for more than 10 years, having also been president of the Ipswich Women’s Masters Committee. June is president of the Vets Hockey Club.
Her other roles include as a selector, coach and state masters player.
Anne O’Donnell (Yamanto)
The Ipswich Eagles “Jill of all trades’’ is regarded as one of the Aussie rules club’s most important volunteers.
Anne is involved in a multitude of roles from financial aspects as treasurer to going above and beyond helping the club. That includes assisting with the canteen, bar and uniform shop, along with handling registrations.
Anne umpires, performs timekeeping duties, acts as a water runner, washes uniforms and helps manage teams.
She also plays in the Ipswich Eagles top women’s side which made this year’s grand final.
Club president Clint Bateman said “without Anne, our club would struggle’’.
He appreciates the sacrifices she makes, inspiring and motivating others.
“I have had to pull Anne aside a few times to tell her to have a break as I was afraid she would burn out,’’ Bateman said.
“The work that Anne has done for our club is absolutely amazing and she is fully deserving of this award.’’
John Hislop (Yamanto)
John has devoted five decades to the Ipswich and District Rifle Club (IDRC) as a volunteer in various capacities, within his areas of expertise.
That includes working as a grounds keeper, repairing equipment and as a first aid officer and sports trainer.
The IDRC life member gives up his own time to mowing and maintaining the grassed firing points and competitor parking areas at the South Ripley rifle range.
His efforts provide a comfortable surface for shooters to compete in the prone position.
Mowing the entire range also ensures a safe environment without snakes, prickles and insect pests.
As an equipment repairer, John is reliable. He maintains canvas products for the club including electronic target covers.
Being a successful A-Grade shooter, John also offers a considerable amount of time to repairing clubmates’ shooting coats and groundsheets.
He is a dependable wind coach and a leading mentor to new members, along with sharing his years of knowledge.
Jono Gibbs (Amberley)
Cricket Ipswich’s junior development guru has dedicated his time and energy to the sport since 1987.
Jono has led by example, helping young cricketers graduate successfully from the junior ranks into senior teams.
He is regarded for his no-fuss approach where no task is too much.
Jono’s ideas are well constructed with a positive approach.
His efforts are a major reason junior cricket is growing in Ipswich.
He has co-ordinated and run junior programs for more than 30 years.
After starting with Strollers, he has served the association implementing and overseeing the development of academies for representative level cricketers.
Jono has been instrumental in providing opportunities for juniors to progress to zone and state level.
In his role as junior co-ordinator, he has overseen competition across five age groups and eight clubs.
He has fulfilled all the roles necessary for junior cricket to continue advancing in the region.
Kerri Brown (Rosewood)
Keen to learn new roles, Kerri has been an invaluable volunteer at the Rosewood Roosters Rugby League Club.
She has been on the executive committee for four years as treasurer and worked as first aid/sports trainer for eight years.
Nothing is too much trouble for Kerri when it comes to her beloved Roosters and helping rugby league.
Kerri is always bettering herself as a sports trainer, undertaking extra courses when they become available.
She is acknowledged for her passion for the game and wanting to enjoy the safety of players of all ages at the club.
Kerri has also been in charge of the club’s finances.
Tanya Thompson (Ipswich)
The Ipswich BMX Club member and fundraising officer is affectionately known as “Mumma Bear’’ for her wonderful work.
Tanya ensures the club’s volunteers have the knowledge, training and equipment required to undertake their various duties. That includes in first aid, as gate starters and canteen helpers.
She also ensured all members were made aware of new licencing changes brought in this year under the Auscycle and BMX Australia changes.
In a huge task, Tanya wrote the club’s Covid plan and provided checklists.
She is recognised for going above and beyond, successfully sourcing grants to keep Ipswich BMX moving forward. That included funding for a new clubhouse at the Willey Park venue.
Tanya is a driving force, liaising with many organisations on a daily basis to help the non-profit organisation serve the community.
As a treasurer, she has overseen a range of important tasks from compiling night takings, invoicing and processing payments.
She also installed new technology to improve the club’s efficiency in the canteen and for members.
Kerri’s effort have extended to registration of riders and issuing the necessary licence and equipment requirements for racing.
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