Ipswich Sports Awards: Top local talent revealed for 2023

An inspiring group of Ipswich’s best and highest achieving sportspeople and officials have been recognised at the 2023 Ipswich Sports Awards.

Jonathan O’Neill

2 min read

November 3, 2023 - 5:25PM

The winners from the 2023 Ipswich Sports Awards.

Community News

Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.

From equestrian to weightlifting and wheelchair basketball – Ipswich’s athletes took centre stage as the region’s best were recognised at the annual sports awards.

The event on November 4 was held at the Ipswich Civic Centre with the ceremony featuring more than 40 nominations, of both individual athletes and teams, across 24 different spots with awards in eight different categories up for grabs.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the night gave the community the opportunity to celebrate the amazing individuals, teams and organisations in the community, who are doing extraordinary things.

“These annual awards are an opportunity to recognise the remarkable achievements of people in our community who are making a valuable contribution to sports in our region and beyond,” she said.

“Ipswich City Council understands the importance of sport in our community and we’ve been on a mission to improve sporting facilities for everyone.

GALLERY: Stars shine at the Ipswich Sports Awards

VIEW GALLERY

Equestrian star Isabella Parisi took home the major award for the evening after being named the Senior Sportsperson of the Year.

Parisi was shocked when she heard her name called out and said she was shaking.

“I’m so grateful to be here with my family and my friends, and my carer Ash,” she said.

“I wouldn’t be here without my pony Minty. He has a lot of personality … he’s really naughty, but he’s cute.”

This year was a big year for Parisi, winning gold in the dressage and English working trails at the Special Olympics in Berlin, where she was the only member of the Australian team to win multiple gold medals.

There were two other sportsperson of the year categories, with swimmer Ella Ramsay named Junior Sportsperson of the Year and weightlifter Steven Graham taking home the Masters category.

Ramsay was recognised for her Commonwealth Games feat, where she made the final in her only event in Birmingham – the 200m individual medley.

Ramsay trains at the St Peter’s Western Club in Brisbane with famed swimming coach, Dean Boxall.

Councillor Andrew Fechner, who chairs on the Ipswich City Council’s Community, Culture, Arts and Sports Committee said this year’s list of nominees was full of stellar sports stars.