Named: Mackay’s best sportspeople in contention for grants totalling $18k
Toby Rule has his eyes on the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, and he’s in contention for an award that will help him get there, along with a plethora of talented Mackay stars. SEE THE FULL LIST.
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Middle-distance specialist Toby Rule has long been one of Mackay’s most promising running prospects.
A silver medal in the national under-16 3000m and bronze at the Australian Cross Country Championships underpin an outstanding resume which also encompasses a number of state medals.
But winning those medals and building that resume isn’t possible without meeting the demanding travel requirements which accompany a desire to test yourself against the best.
Rule however could be in line for a relieving payday, short-listed as one of the finalists for the North Queensland Junior Sportstar of the Year Award.
That award is one of eight MM Electrical NQ Sportstar Award categories featuring sporting heroes from the Mackay region as finalists.
There are 11 categories all up, with winners and runners-up to share a combined pool of $18,000.
North Queensland Sports Foundation CEO Stephen Farrell said he was thrilled by the opportunities the Awards offer.
“Many of Australia’s best athletes originated from regional Queensland and the NQ Sportstar Awards showcases their hard work and determination on their path to reach the elite level,” he said.
“The awards also acknowledge the valuable efforts of the individuals behind the scenes who make these achievements possible through volunteering.”
The prospect of some prizemoney to go towards his travel costs excited 16-year-old Rule.
“It’d be really good because it’s always hard to go to competitions and try and get myself out there,” Rule said.
But what drives his passion for such a physically demanding sport?
“I like the challenge of it and being able to do things other people can’t so I can flex on them,” he laughed.
Rule, who’s love of running was founded in his year four cross country, hopes to one day become the 1500m world champion.
He also has one eye on the Olympics, particularly Brisbane 2032, hoping to one day capture the addictive winning feeling on the big stage.
“It’s a big buzz knowing that all the hard work that you did has just paid off fully.”
Toby’s father Justin was also nominated for the Masters Sportstar of the Year.
Full List of Mackay region nominees for the MM Electrical NQ Sportstar Awards:
Consolidated Engineering Plastics Products NQ Sportstar of the Year
Jade Bounden
Janee Emms
Anything Environmental NQ Junior Sportstar of the Year
James Allen
Monique Bobongie
Jacob Cockayne
Kaiden Neilsen
Shaylah Pershouse
Toby Rule
Dylan Secher
City Fitness NQ Masters Sportstar of the Year
Justin Rule
Hamish Wright
Struddys NQ Sportstar Junior Sport Team of the Year
Brothers Bulldogs Mackay
NQ Sportstar Senior Sport Team of the Year
Mackay Fire, Women‘s Social Basketball
Mackay Rowing Club - Sculling mix quad double
DGH Engineering NQ Sportstar Athlete with Disability
Izabella Wills
Struddys NQ Service to Sport
Susan Davies
James Grech
Peter and June Thiele
NQ Sport Volunteer of the Year
Jack Baldwin
Darryl Barker
Kimberley Doyle
Phil Dreghorn
Anthony Porter
Michelle Tickle
Joyce Wallace
Winners will be announced at the awards night on Saturday, November 4, at the MECC in Mackay. Tickets are on sale now, and Olympic Swimmer Brooke Hansen will be a guest speaker.
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