Selwyn Cobbo wins Sportsperson of the Year Award at Brisbane NAIDOC Ball

‘Being able to make my community and family proud is a great feeling’: NRL superstar Selwyn Cobbo’s astronomical rise to the top has shown no signs of slowing, with the Cherbourg wonderkid taking out a top state award.

One year after Selwyn Cobbo was launched into the spotlight as one of Queensland’s top NRL players, the wonderkid from Cherbourg has taken Sportsperson of the Year Award at the NAIDOC Ball.

The event was hosted by Indigenous media organisation Triple A and brought 800 guests from across the state to celebrate “Blak Excellence”, united under 2022’s NAIDOC theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’.

Former professional rugby league footballer Steve ‘Pearl’ Renouf announced Cobbo as the winner in his absence, with the 20-year-old winger away at camp preparing for Wednesday’s State of Origin decider.

Cobbo told Queensland NRL that he was “so grateful” to be acknowledged.

“Being able to make my community and family proud is a great feeling... puts a big smile on my face,” he said.

State of Origin 2022 Queensland Maroons team media Day from Suncorp Stadium, Queensland. Maroons debutant Selwyn Cobbo. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The youngster added that he could not wait to “rip in” against New South Wales in the final game of the 2022 Origin series.

The prestigious award, which was announced on Saturday night, recognises and celebrates an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander sportsperson in southeast Queensland, whether that be rising star or accomplished athlete making waves in their chosen sport.

Some of Queensland’s most influential indigenous figures, who were chosen by the community, were honoured across seven categories at the NAIDOC Ball at Brisbane City Hall.

See the full list of awardees below:

Brisbane NAIDOC Awards

Elder of the Year Award - Robert (Uncle Bob) Anderson

Community Person of the Year Award - Aunty Jean Phillips

Education Award- Kiana Charlton

Youth Award - Kyle Bekue-Ryan

Sportsperson of the Year Award - Selwyn Cobbo

Innovation Award - Institute for Collaborative Race Research

Creative Arts Award - Digi Youth Arts