Essential form guide features all the City of Ipswich Sports Awards finalists
The annual City of Ipswich Sports Awards celebration on October 29 will bring together the city’s outstanding performers in a range of disciplines. Check out the star qualities.
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The countdown is on to celebrating the exceptional efforts of Ipswich’s leading sporting achievers in 2020 and the first half of this year.
The annual City of Ipswich Sports Awards function on October 29 will bring together the city’s outstanding performers, showcasing their successes across the eight categories.
The finalists named are anxiously waiting to see if they join the illustrious winners chosen over the past decade.
In the first of two special features, today’s form guide focuses on the Senior and Junior Sportsperson of the Year contenders, along with the Official of the Year and Masters finalists.
The focus in part two moves to the Coach and Team of the Year, as well as contenders for the top sporting organisation and the city’s dedicated volunteers vying for recognition.
Here are dedicated people Ipswich should be proud of in the first four categories.
SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR
Jude Thomas (Karalee)
Trying to keep up with Jude’s successes is like running a marathon.
Over the past 18 months, he has set new standards, won major track and cross country events and repeatedly highlighted his quality as a future Olympian.
Aged 19, the Karalee athlete is recognised as one of Australia’s most exciting talents.
In August this year, Jude was ranked fifth fastest under-20 track 3000m athlete in the world.
The university student who attended St Edmund’s College has displayed versatility across a range of events from 800m to 5km.
Jude qualified in the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m events for the Australian under-20 team for the World Junior Track and Field championships. However, those championships were cancelled due to Covid.
Among his many remarkable efforts was at this year’s Australian Track & Field championships in Sydney.
Jude won the under-20 1500m in a World Junior qualifying time of 3.47.44.
Two days later, he won the under-20 5000m in 13.57.86 with a personal best, World Junior Qualifier and meet record. He won by an incredible 20 seconds.
Jude also achieved exceptional standards in state and national cross country and parkrun events, opening up future opportunities on the world stage.
He is highly regarded as a future Commonwealth Games and Olympic prospect.
Clay Dawson (Karalee)
When it comes to endurance, Clay is in the top echelon of Australia’s established runners.
Among his major successes was winning the 2021 Australian 100km Championships.
That qualified him for the world championships which are yet to be confirmed.
But in achieving that milestone, he broke a 35 year 50 mile Australian record.
He also won the 100km championships in 2019 before Covid denied him another opportunity in 2020.
As he has for many years, Clay continued to excel at other distance events like marathons.
He was third overall in this year’s Brisbane Marathon, donating his prize to charity.
Clay remains an inspirational leader in Ipswich’s high-achieving NANCI Running Squad.
The Rosewood State High teacher also provides cross country and athletics coaching at Ipswich Grammar School along with his mentoring roles.
Jake Notley (Karalee)
Accomplished touch footballer Jake is another consistent performer who lives in Karalee.
The water pumped into that suburb must contain some special ingredients bringing out the best in sportspeople.
Jake has achieved a number of representative successes in his sport including sharing in Queensland’s State of Origin glory. That was Queensland’s first 3-0 clean sweep in 19 years.
He was selected in the Australian Open Mixed team for a Trans-Tasman series before it was cancelled due to Covid.
From a proud sporting family, Jake has also captained the South West Queensland men’s open team.
Jake likes to help others by coaching junior teams for Ipswich and the South West region.
He is acknowledged for the commitment he displays playing at a high level.
Kaine Harumi Moromizato (South Ripley)
National champion Kaine is a sensei (instructor) and coach for judo at the Taephoon Martial Arts Academy in Springfield Central.
She is regarded as a fine role model, focused on teaching others valuable skills and to be respectful of others.
But it is her training ethic that sets the best example as she prepared for Queensland and national titles.
Among her major successes were winning the Judo State Championships in Cairns where she competed against stronger opponents and won.
Kaine also won a gold medal at the Judo Australia National Championships on the Gold Coast in June this year.
During the Covid lockdown, Karine ran online zoom classes to keep her students involved.
She has been commended in judo circles for her initiative at the Ipswich club.
Apart from her community efforts, she works full-time at the University of Queensland and conducts her teaching four nights a week, along with her own training.
Zac Profke (Yamanto)
Promoted to the Australian under-21 hockey squad this year, Zac is one of Ipswich’s most exciting prospects.
He joined the Queensland Academy of Sport for hockey in 2020, being recognised for his dedication and skills on the turf.
One of his most recent rewards was being part of the Australian Burras seven-day training camp at the Gold Coast.
The former St Edmund’s College student continues to train with Queensland squads anxious to press for higher level honours when Covid restrictions ease.
Zac is also in the Australian indoor hockey squad.
The Norths Most Valuable Player and highest goal scorer has been chosen in the Brisbane Blaze team for this year’s national competition.
In his spare time, he gives back at club level and coaches junior Ipswich teams. He also regularly umpires in Ipswich around his busy commitments in that competition and in Brisbane.
Martin Manning (Flinders View)
Naturally gifted golfer Martin has been excelling in his sport for more than a decade.
However, he has been unable to pursue his PGA opportunities being a working father of two.
His potential is highlighted by him playing off a handicap of plus 3.
Martin is the reigning Coal City Cup champion.
Among the humble sportsman’s other achievements in 2020 have been Ipswich Club Champion, Match Play Champion Ipswich and Sandy Gallop Club Champion.
This year, he won the Laidley Open and District Championship.
He has also been involved at state and national level in the Volkswagen Scramble.
Before and after games, he makes time to help out the juniors, giving them tips.
JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR
Alisha Boge (Brookwater)
Determined Queensland junior and advanced novice champion Alisha came 16th at the junior synchronised ice skating world championships in Nottingham, England.
She also came third at the Steel City Trophy event in Sheffield, England and won an online synchronised national junior event.
Alisha, 15, was awarded team captain of the advanced novice team.
Alisha is regarded as a persistent and hard working leader striving to succeed as an individual and being an important member in team events.
Despite Covid challenges, Alisha participated in all the team workouts and practices. She also contributed to lifting the mood of fellow skaters with her fun zoom cooking classes during the lockdown.
Charlize Goody (Karalee)
Having just started another season with a meet record in Townsville, multi-talented Charlize shows no signs of slowing down.
But when you are the national under-16 heptathlon champion, that continues to motivate Charlize to remain at the top.
Charlize, 15, won gold, silver and five bronze at the 2020 Queensland championships before going on an impressive run of success where she regularly won and set personal bests.
That included becoming Australia’s best in her age group at this year’s National Combined Events Championships in Melbourne.
She displayed outstanding determination dominating in three state level and two national competitions in a six-week period.
Apart from being a member of the Queensland Athletics squad, Charlize is in the Queensland Athletics Target Talent Program for heptathlon and throws.
She also mentors and inspires others at the Ipswich and District Athletic Club and Ipswich Little Athletics Centre.
When not competing, Charlize performs volunteer duties at both clubs, helping raise funds for equipment and maintenance.
Ella Ramsay (Brassall)
Commonwealth Games and Olympic prospect Ella has risen above ongoing Covid event postponements and cancellations to stamp her name as a swimmer of the future.
She remained focused and dedicated chasing her dream of representing Australia in a senior team.
Ella, 17, has produced a number of exceptional performances while maintaining a consistently high standard of training.
The St Peter’s Lutheran student was selected in a number of elite squads at school and club level.
Her major success was coming fourth in the 200 individual medley at the Australian Olympic trials in June.
Aged 16, she highlighted her immense potential having previously gained selection in the Australian junior swim team.
In earlier competitions, Ella swam in an incredible 22 events over a week at the Australian Age Championships. She won gold in the 50, 100 and 200m freestyle, 200 and 400m individual medley and 100m breaststroke.
She also shared in four Queensland relay teams that won gold.
Ella added silver medals in the 100m butterfly, 200m breaststroke and two relays.
She has also attended national camps being the Queensland 16 years champion.
Ella’s club coaches Dean Boxall and Maxine Seers described her “one of the most dedicated, committed and driven young ladies they could have the pleasure of meeting’’.
They said she was the “epitome of extraordinary - a well balanced athlete and wonderful human that has a very promising future ahead of her.’’
Darcy Smith (Springfield)
Dashing cricketer Darcy was chosen in the SEQ Stormers under-12 state team.
The Bundamba Strollers player impressed at the state carnival in December last year.
During his regular club cricket season, the natural leader was awarded junior player of the year.
Darcy, who turns 13 in November, was the highest run scorer for his age and took out the batting aggregate for the Cricket Ipswich competition (532 runs for the season).
He captained the level 2B Bundamba Strollers team, being named player of the year after his reliable efforts.
He also often played a second game of cricket straight after to support the level 3 team.
The opening bowler and top order batsman also mentored younger cricketers.
Holly McQueen (Redbank Plains)
Australian Matildas prospect Holly was preparing to showcase her talents representing Brisbane Roar in the latest W-League season before a nasty setback.
She will miss the national competition after suffering an ACL injury during the recent Kappa Cup grand final.
The highly regarded defender had risen up the ranks being invited to join the Brisbane Roar/QAS side and sharing the Lions National Premier Leagues successes.
Holly, who turned 19 this year, received a contract with the Brisbane Roar last year before having it renewed this year.
With a powerful physical presence on the field, Holly has also attended Junior Matildas training camps and the National Talent Challenge in recent years.
She earlier made Queensland teams, captaining the state side in 2019 and the Queensland Academy of Sport team in 2020.
Jeriah Vagana (Bellbird Park)
All-rounder Jeriah is impressing in four sports - athletics, rugby union, rugby league and tag.
Being the eldest child of four boys his life is jam-packed helping out his mum.
Among his major successes was being nominated to attend the Western Ranges (District) Track and Field trials. In his 16 years age group, he competes in the 100m dash, 1500m, long jump, javelin and triple jump.
In rugby league, he made the Ipswich Jets starting squad this year.
He received a full scholarship and rugby league scholarship to Ipswich State High, where he was part of their school’s Academy.
He was captain of his Ipswich State High team and the Goodna Eagles club side.
Jeriah, 16, was registered for Queensland Samoa Westside.
He was also an assistant coach in Goodna’s under 7 and under 9 sides.
Jeriah is regarded as someone who loves to help others, especially volunteering and being an active member of his church.
Apart from his sporting pursuits, he also impressed as a student.
Poppy Wilson (Redbank Plains)
As one of the region’s most consistent swimmers, Australian Para Development squad member Poppy represents her Woogaroo club with honour and leads by example.
When mini meets are held at the Goodna Aquatic Pool, Poppy volunteers to help the junior swimmers and setting up.
She encourages others by giving the younger competitors national ribbons and club medals.
In the pool, Poppy has won countless medals in everything from Brisbane Senior Metropolitan and Metropolitan East competition to the Queensland championships and Australian Age and Open titles.
At the national championships in April, she won a gold and two silver medals.
The 17-year-old also made two open finals, ranked sixth in Australia for the 200m individual medley and placing seventh in Australia for the 50m freestyle.
At the Australian Paralympic trials in June, she made four finals in the five events she contested. That included third in the 200m individual medley.
She holds a number of Queensland Multi Class and Australian MC records.
Poppy was also a regular medal winner at earlier Brisbane Senior Metropolitan events, being named Female Multi Class Swimmer of the Meet last year and in March this year.
At last year’s Queensland championships, Poppy won five gold, one silver and one bronze.
Harmony Nuku (Springfield Lakes)
Promising all-rounder Harmony’s top achievement was being chosen for the first time to represent the Met West under-15 girls rugby league team at the Queensland championships in Cairns.
She shared in the team’s state title-winning success.
Harmony also represented the Metropolitan West under-15 girls touch football team at the Queensland championships in Brisbane. The Met West side came third.
She was selected to represent South West Queensland.
During an impressive year of performances, Harmony was picked in the South West Queensland under-16 touch football team to contest the National Youth Championships.
Harmony also captained her Goodna Eagles under-16 rugby league team to the club grand finals.
Apart from being recognised in representative teams, Harmony attended a Q Youth Academy touch football camp and was involved with the Titans in rugby league.
Sabbath Smrecnik (Brookwater)
As a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor, Sabbath is reaping the rewards of 10 years of training.
He is a three-time international Pan Pacific champion, along with multiple national and state successes.
At 16, he was awarded his blue adult belt and competed in the adult division winning two gold medals in a field of men.
He received his adult purple belt two months later, showcasing his talents.
In June this year, the 17-year-old was invited to compete in a Superfight on the fight card for Classic Jiu Jitsu. Sabbath won his debut fight in style.
He has been an assistant instructor at Infinity Martial Arts Springfield for more than four years.
Last year still aged 16, he became an adult instructor.
Sabbath has tailored a special program for the club to teach leg entanglements and submissions, all learnt through attending seminars of world champion athletes, research and self-learning.
Throughout the Covid lockdowns, Sabbath continued his training and learning.
He competed when he could, advancing into the adult divisions as soon as he received his adult blue and purple belts.
He travels to the Sunshine Coast when possible to cross-train with other members, especially when leading up to a competition or Superfight.
His commitment to training, competition and teaching was while completing his year 12 studies, where he is also a high performing student.
The respectful young martial volunteers to ref at in-house competitions and helps with fundraising/charity events.
Shalom Sauaso (Redbank Plains)
Recognised for her effort and determination, Shalom is a well-rounded competitor.
She excels in rugby league, Rugby 7s and AFL tournaments.
Shalom, 14, was named in this year’s Queensland Merit under-15 girls squad.
The talented five-eight was also part of the Met West under-15 rugby league side that were undefeated champions at the state title sin Cairns.
In AFL, she shared in Met West’s third place finish at the state titles in Mackay.
Shalom, the Ipswich State High year 9 team captain, plays Rugby 7s for her club and school.
She was chosen for the state Rugby 7s championships in Mackay.
Shalom regularly wins player of the tournament and match awards in her sports.
Shaylen Lowe (Brassall)
To say Shaylen is on target for more success is an understatement.
The national record-breaker is a lively and dedicated teenager who has pursued her passion for 3D archery since she was five.
Shaylen, 13, has organised fun shoots and online shoots, keeping people motivated and happy to jump in and lend a hand or teach others about their sport.
She has attended demonstrations for local communities, school presentations and online platforms.
Shaylen also has big dreams of becoming a marine biologist. She was hoping to achieve that goal by obtaining an Archery Scholarship into a university in the United States before Covid restrictions kicked in.
Among Shaylen’s major achievements over the past year have been 3DAAA Queensland champion in Caboolture.
She displayed her class at the 3DAAA Hinterland Field Archers, winning with two perfect 100 scores. She broke the Australian record with a final score of 298/300.
Shaylen also shot a perfect 200/200 score at the Ipswich Field Archers state titles.
She has continued her amazing efforts indoors. She won this year’s 3DAAA Indoor Nationals.
Shaylen added the NSW title to her impressive collection of record-breaking feats.
OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Ky Knight (Springfield Lakes)
As a teenage umpire in the highest level of competition in Queensland, Ky has already displayed his dedication to the sport.
But it’s not only in QAFL matches that Ky has made his mark.
He has achieved his success in AFL while attaining excellent grades studying in year 12. He also works part-time.
Ky travels to Zillmere two nights a week for advanced training before spending weekends officiating matches at various levels.
That includes officiating 13-15 years competition in Mackay this year.
He was chosen in a Queensland Merit team and awarded Umpire of the Carnival.
One of his strengths controlling 36 male or female players on a footy field is his temperament.
As he focuses on maintaining high standards, he willingly supports younger umpires starting their Aussie rules careers.
He leads by example regularly umpiring in SEQ matches for boys and girls in under 11 to under 17 competition.
Jordan Harton (Karalee)
As a previous Official of the Year winner, Jordan appreciates being recognised for hard work.
However, she continues to progress as a leading Queensland basketball referee in senior and junior competition.
Jordan officiates on average 10 games a week at various associations to improve her skills and knowledge of the game.
That includes regular Queensland State League matches and Basketball Queensland junior and school championships. She often is awarded the gold medal games.
Jordan has also officiated at the NBL1 Blitz pre-season tournament and was invited to national age championships before Covid restrictions forced their cancellation.
Jordan officiates at tournaments throughout Queensland and around Australia when possible.
In addition to refereeing, she devotes considerable time to educating others through Ipswich Basketball courses.
She also coordinates and supervises the SQJBC junior representative program and state championships for Basketball Queensland.
To meet her demands travelling to many different South East Queensland venues, she maintains a high level of fitness.
She has made many achievements while working two jobs and finishing a dual degree.
Gabrielle Ticehurst (Chuwar)
Rising up the netball umpire ranks, Gabrielle earned praise for her efforts in 2020.
That included being selected for a second year in a row to officiate at Queensland’s 16 years and 18 years and under championships.
Considered an emerging talent, she was the only umpire from the Ipswich region to be selected in those roles.
She umpires in Queensland Premier League and Greater Brisbane Netball League competitions, while maintaining a grassroots focus officiating at Ipswich Netball games on Saturdays through the season.
Gabrielle is regarded as a High Performance Umpire at the Ipswich Netball Association.
Highlighting her commitment, she has worked in school competitions involving Ipswich Girls’ Grammar and West Moreton Anglican College.
Her representative umpiring matches come on the back of the additional training and performance analysis she does.
Even with reduced games due to Covid-19, she sought to continue improving her standards.
That resulted in her being awarded her National B Netball Umpiring Badge.
At Netball Queensland level, she was recognised as an ideal candidate to hold a workshop for other umpires.
Despite having a large group of workshop participants watching her every call, Gabrielle handled the extra pressure with confidence.
Advancing through Netball Queensland umpiring pathways, Gabrielle also maintained full-time university studies in nursing.
Since graduating in December last year, Gabrielle continued to umpire and work around rotating shifts.
MASTERS SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR
Chris Scanlan (Brassall)
Norths rugby league stalwart Chris has always led from the front on the field.
But when the team needs him most, he often goes the extra mile.
When the Norths A-Grade side lost their coach at the start of the year, Chris came out of retirement to help recruit players and rebuild confidence.
That resulted in a renewed focus, helping the Tigers earn a spot in the Rugby League Ipswich finals.
He had been Norths A-Grade captain for many years, winning a number of Most Valuable Player awards.
Chris also strapped on the boots in Reserve Grade multiple times in another leadership role.
He is highly respected at the club, offering a vital mentoring role for the exciting young talent coming through.
Chris also coached a majority of them in junior ranks.
Aged 16, Chris was the youngest player in the Queensland Cup competition.
He also had stints with the Cronulla Sharks and Roosters A-Grade side in the United Kingdom.
Jessica Cashman (Eastern Heights)
Having won a state title in boxing, Jess earnt a reputation as a tenacious opponent.
However, she also punches above her weight as head boxing coach at the Ipswich Police Citizens Youth Club.
Being a dedicated single mum, she has inspired with her efforts in the ring.
Now she’s working at the PCYC running different adult and youth classes.
One program she is involved with helps the disengaged and disadvantaged youth get their lives back on track.
She has also been involved in a Queensland Pathways College at Bundamba and Goodna, using boxing as an important grassroots way to help the less fortunate.
During her boxing career, Jess won three amateur state titles and a national Golden Gloves honour before turning professional.
After 18 months out of the ring, she returned victorious in a professional fight on the Horn v Tszyu undercard program in Townsville.
She then had her second professional fight, winning the Queensland super flyweight championship in another unanimous points decision over six rounds.
Lisa Blackburn (Augustine Heights)
Lisa is the Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) Australian Women’s Open Pro Physique champion.
Lisa, aged 40, won her national title in 2020 as one of the smaller competitors.
However, she was unable to represent her country at the Natural Olympia in Las Vegas due to the coronavirus.
Due to Covid restrictions, access to gyms for training was also greatly restricted for many months.
Despite all that, Lisa continued to demonstrate commitment to her goals.
Without the funds to set up her own gym, she modified her training using truck tyres, her car and a homemade barbell made from steel pipe, plastic tubs and bags of rock to adjust the weight.
With uncertainty about future competitions, she stuck to a strict diet and training regime.
She also had the added challenge of home schooling two children as a single parent while navigating her business as a paediatric physiotherapist - all through the Covid changes.
Lisa only started bodybuilding in 2018, rising up the ranks through different divisions leading to her national success in pro physique competition.
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