Magpies Sporting Club Mackay 2022 awards night winners
Inspiring athletes, dedicated volunteers and committed members of a distinguished Mackay Whitsunday sports club have been recognised. READ THE FULL LIST
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For Mackay’s Gorja Randell there is nothing quite like cricket.
“It’s an amazing sport,” she said. And her passion and talent for the game was the reason why she was selected as the Magpies junior female athlete for 2022.
It was the night of nights for those linked to Magpies Sporting Club Mackay as inspiring players and volunteers were recognised at the annual awards celebration.
Scroll down for the full list of finalists and winner across all categories
Ms Randell was a member when Magpies entered its first girls team into the competition, was captain of the heat premiership team last season and volunteers as an umpire.
A preferred batter, she said she was “kinda nervous” when her named was called out, adding she loved how many women were now becoming involved in the game.
“The whole atmosphere of playing cricket is really good … I think it’s an amazing sport,” she said.
Junior female athlete of the year runner-up Ella Walz was excited to be recognised too.
Her captain Zayna Balfour was named the senior female athlete of the year for her major role in “bringing all her teammates together in a cohesive squad”.
>> 2021 Magpie of the Year photo gallery
She has been the Magpies Premier Women’s Team Captain for the past two years leading the squad to the finals in 2022, and was instrumental in scoring both final goals for the win.
Ms Balfour was named the number one offender in the Mackay region for the team of the year.
Ms Balfour was not there on the night but Ella said she hoped she was following in her captain’s footsteps.
“She plays centre back and I play up front so opposite ends of the field but we still have to communicate well,” Ella said.
Junior male athlete of the year was Usai Bickey from Magpies Basketball.
Usai, 13, has been named the team’s most valuable player for four of the seven years he’s been involved and he has an extensive list of high level representations including Basketball Queensland’s 2022 future development program, 2023 U15 North men’s emerging team and the Mercy College school boys team.
Usai, who has been playing for seven or eight years, said he did not expect to be nominated when there were so many sports to choose from.
“I was surprised. It’s pretty big,” he said.
“I just try to be the best I can be so I can support my family.”
Usai, who always plays with positivity, said he wanted to become a professional basketball player and listening to Jelena Dokic had inspired him to think about how he might get there.
Senior male athlete of the year for 2022 was Magpies Cricket talent Ben Zurvas who has represented the club through all the junior age groups and was selected into the Queensland open school boys team.
Mr Zurvas has achieved a century in Mackay A-grade cricket and been named Mackay Whitsunday U21 player of the year, Magpies Cricket A-Grade player of the year and Mackay Whitsunday U21 captain.
He was also selected for the U21 Queensland country team and has completed his level 1 umpire certificate and level 0 accreditation giving him the opportunity to coach cricket.
Mr Zurvas said it was great for all the hard work he had put into the season to be recognised, adding cricket was “a team sport”.
“I love being around the team, around the boys, having a good time,” he said.
As for anyone who might argue cricket was boring, Mr Zurvas said, “They can think what they want … everyone who plays it knows that it’s exciting.”
Hayden Pace, from the Magpies rugby league team, was named runner-up in the senior male athlete of the year category for 2022.
“Hayden is a professional who takes sport seriously, leaving nothing on the field,
“He played an international test match for Malta, Mackay Cutters, Mackay Sea Eagles Foley Shield team and the city v country team.
“Hayden is a hard-working player who doesn’t take shortcuts … setting the benchmark with training and games by preparing well and looking after his body and fitness.
“He’s a dedicated leader in the senior rugby league team and someone the team can count on.
“Hayden is looked up to by the juniors as a role model.”
Cooper Venz, who came runner-up in the junior athlete of the year category, was selected in the Mackay and District U12 boys team, received player of the match in the quad series and in the Terry Jones Shield.
He was selected in the Capricornia U12 boys rugby league team and received player’s player award at the state championships.
“A parent wrote to the state manager saying he has never seen a player help opposition players up after they were slow to their feet after Cooper had tackled them,” the MC told the awards night.
Cooper was also described as a player with great maturity for his age, who asked great questions during his matches.
”He was always first to congratulate his teammates on the field or go and pat them on the back when a mistake is made to tell them it’s ok,” judges said.
“He would bring back new skills or drills he learnt at rep football and teach his teammates as well.”
After winning the ward, Cooper said it was inspiring hearing from Australian tennis great Jelena Dokic, about her journey from a small country like Yugoslavia to being a legend in Aussie tennis across the world.
He said he was surprised but grateful coming junior runner-up.
“I was nervous at the start but it was good to get it,” he said.
“I’ve done a lot this year training wise so it’s paid off.”
Magpies Football’s Russell Cunington was named volunteer of the year for his dedication in coaching and managing two women’s football teams as well as taking on two U14 teams.
“His attitude to every situation is calm and control, he’s always happy to lend a hand,” guests at the awards night heard.
Mr Cunington said the award was a shock but he had a team of good kids, including his own son.
He said he felt a sense of reward volunteering for the team.
Damian Smith from Magpies Junior/Senior Rugby League claimed the top Magpie of the Year award for his enthusiasm, dedication, leadership and commitment to the club.
He is the junior league coach, senior league manager and president, raffle co-ordinator and advocates the “one club” policy.
It was said one of his most notable assets was the ability to “light up a room by his presence”.
Mr Smith said 2022 had been the most recognisable year for the club with its achievements on and off the field.
He said four years ago they had “set the tone for what we wanted to achieve” and he paid tribute to the many people “who work very very hard behind the scenes” and who are “very committed to the black and white”.
“This year was probably our most successful year for the last four years I’ve been president,” he said.
“This (award) is the cream on top for a lot of people’s work.”
Mr Smith said there were many well deserved nominees throughout the club and it was a privilege to be among them.
He said he loved the whole “Magpies family”.
“Everyone sings from the same tune and everyone is very accepting. At Magpies, we are high achievers and we like to develop players and see teams succeed.
“It doesn’t matter what background we’re from, we are one family here.”
Junior female athlete of the year 2022 finalists:
Gorja Randell – Magpies Cricket (winner)
Ella Walz – Magpies Football Club (runner-up)
Felicity Harris – Magpies Magpies AFL
Veanna Sweet – Magpies Junior Rugby League
Khiana Blakey – Magpies Netball
Junior male athlete of the year 2022 finalists:
Usai Bickey – Magpies Basketball (winner)
Cooper Venz – Magpies Junior Rugby League (runner-up)
Hary Fortescue – Magpies Cricket Club
Jacob Whitby – Magpies Football Club
Jardine Kennell – Magpies Crusaders United
Senior female athlete of the year 2022 finalists:
Zayna Balfour – Magpies Football Club (winner)
Dannielle Jones – Magpies Cricket (runner-up)
Senior male athlete of the year 2022 finalists:
Ben Zurvas – Magpies Cricket (winner)
Hayden Page – Magpies Rugby League (runner-up)
Jake Pettigrew – Magpies Crusaders
Volunteer of the year 2022 finalists:
Russell Cunington – Magpies Football (winner)
Paul Manttan – Magpies Junior RL (runner-up)
Karen Randell – Magpies Cricket
Tony Copley – Magpies Crusaders
Oriwia Northcroft – Magpies Netball
Jillian Smith – Magpies Basketball
Magpie of the year 2022 finalists:
Damian Smith – Magpies Junior Rugby League (winner)
Daryl Kynaston – Magpies Senior Rugby League (runner-up)
Cynthy MacGroarty – Magpies Football Club
Wayne Neilsen – Magpies Cricket
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