Sunshine Coast’s top 40 most influential sporting figures of 2022 revealed
The leaders of Sunshine Coast sport have been revealed but it’s now up to you to vote for who you think is our region’s most powerful sporting figure for 2022. Have your say.
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Sport can bring a community together unlike anything else.
With its camaraderie and spirit many people turn to sport to feel a sense of connection.
But it’s the passion people have for their sport that shows when you see their tireless dedication for promoting and supporting their club, team or code.
Power List people’s choice: Vote for the Coast’s most influential person
There are countless athletes, admins, coaches, volunteers and supporters who have helped shape the Sunshine Coast’s sporting landscape since the first ball was kicked, bowled, thrown, shot or bounced.
Obviously, it would be impossible to name them all, but here’s some of the Sunshine Coast’s most prominent off field sporting figures for 2022.
From long time volunteers to fresh faced leaders, see the full list and cast your vote below!
This list is in no particular order
Chris Flannery
Sunshine Coast Falcons CEO Chris Flannery has led the Kawana based club since 2013 and has been pivotal in getting the club back to the fore of the Hostplus Cup.
“It’s certainly been a hard slog by a lot of people, not just myself, but even those before myself and those like Ashley Robinson as chairman,” he said.
“Keeping the doors open was probably our biggest battle in the first couple of years but thankfully the club is in a better position financially, we’ve obviously got a strong feeder relationship with the Melbourne Storm and we’ve continued to develop our local players.
“I’d also say building that strong relationship with the local league was very important as it was probably the thing that was fractured the most when I got here so the name and rebuilding of bridges was something we did fairly quickly.”
The former Roosters and Maroons player has had a long history with the sport both at a local level and nationally.
He is also behind the Falcons Footy - Rugby League for Children of Different Abilities initiative - which was formed in 2014.
John Miller
Since taking over as the Sunshine Coast Turf Club CEO in 2017, John Miller has worked to upgrade facilities at the region’s economic driver.
Miller, who was previously based at Albury, took over the reins from long-serving Mick Sullivan when he announced his retirement and said he had enjoyed the increase of race meetings.
“It’s a huge difference to not only Albury but to most racing clubs in New South Wales and Victoria where you’re only running a limited amount of times each year,” he said.
“Up here it’s quite unique as we run 60 to 70 times a year plus non race day events.”
Miller said he was proud to work alongside a hard working team and attributed the club’s growth to the population boom in the region.
“I am proud, not so much of what I’ve done but for the board that were here before I got here and the staff that have been here a long time,” he said.
“People like Murray Weeding, our administration and our maintenance and track staff that have been here a while, they’re all very passionate about the club and want to see it do well and get better.
“I’m fortunate to have come in and continue that growth and I think it’s on the back of the significant growth of the Sunshine Coast community.”
Mike Aronsten
Sunshine Coast Rugby Union president Mike Aronsten has held the role since 2019 and was previously the completion’s manager from 2017.
“Before I came here I had an almost 40-year association with the Gordon Rugby Club in Sydney as a volunteer and then president for seven years and I was also on the board with New South Wales rugby for two years,” he said.
“Although I’ve never been a great player, rugby union has been something I’ve loved for a long time and so if I can contribute to making local competitions run better, making people happier and making things easier than I love doing it.”
Aronsten said he was inspired by how far the sport has come in terms of its support by both players and the community.
“To me the Sunshine Coast is the essence of what community rugby is all about,” he said.
“There’s a great level of skill, it’s competitive, but people can also have fun and enjoy themselves.
“It’s got nothing to do with me because I don’t coach or play but the standard has improved, the number of teams has gone from four to six and now seven in a-grade and reserve grade, our juniors have expanded their numbers in the last few years, our Friday night third grade competition will gain another two teams next year and our women‘s competition next year will have three more teams.
“We’ve been really progressive and people are getting behind us as I think we have an excellent board that are making good things happen at a school, junior, senior, representative, coaching and referees level.”
Brendan Burkett
Although he announced his retirement as the University of the Sunshine Coast director of high performance sport in September 2022, Professor Brendan Burkett OAM belongs on this list.
Burkett held the role for 25 years overseeing the region‘s resident sporting teams such as the Sunshine Coast Lightning netball, Australian Cycling Academy, USC Spartans Swimming, USC Thunder netball and the UniSC Track and Field academy.
“The key thing is just trying to create an environment where people can be their best whether that’s in studying or in sport or just in life,” he said.
“The most rewarding part is that you set it up but then they have to step up and take on those opportunities and challenges.
“It definitely does because you see that journey which is definitely not gifted to them, so you can help guide them through the successes but also the tears that come with sport.”
Brendan was fortunate enough to represent Australia for 13 years as a swimmer and was the Paralympic Champion, World Champion, World Record holder and Commonwealth Games and Australian multiple medallist.
He said he had been privileged to lead the Australian team on several occasions, such as the Australian Team Captain for the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, and as the Opening Ceremony flag bearer in Sydney 2000 – Australia’s most successful sporting team.
Burkett is an inductee in the Sunshine Coast Sports Hall of Fame, Swimming Queensland Hall of Fame, and a “Sporting Legend” in Queensland’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Melvyn Wilkes
Sunshine Coast Fire and Peregian Beach academy director Melvyn Wilkes was a key factor in establishing the full time Fire academy in 2020 and has since been the shadow behind a number of the region’s top talents.
“The idea of that was to push the game along particularly on the Sunshine Coast but also in Queensland to elevate players to the elite level,” he said.
“At Peregian Beach College it’s not just football it’s also basketball, netball and full time dance academies that we have implemented for student and athlete development.”
Wilkes said he hoped to provide similar pathways for other promising footballers in the region.
“It’s actually kind of gone full circle as the game hasn’t evolved as quick as our program so we’re having players leaving in an attempt to service their footballing needs,” he said.
“We created the program to develop players and assist the process in Australia but the program keeps taking backwards steps and players and parents are getting frustrated.
“There’s no Brisbane Roar youth academy anymore and they’re playing nine a side U13 and U14 competitions while kids the same age in Europe are beginning to carve out their professional careers.
“People will wonder why we’re taking the best kids out of Australia but the way the game is going, families are now looking at overseas options and we’re trying to provide them with the best exit route that suits them.”
Chris Baker
Formerly with the Maroochydore Cricket Club, current Sunshine Coast Scorchers president Chris Baker said he had enjoyed the past two and a half years at the helm.
“Things are going well, we’d like to have some more success at the higher level but we do keep battling away and have had some great growth in the women’s space with players going on to the Sheffield Shield side or with the Brisbane Heat,” he said.
Baker said the relationship with the Coastal Marlins in the BPL and the new Sunny Coast Smash format were major positives.
“You can’t stand still otherwise moss will grow, so we’ve got to keep changing with the times and people’s demands which is what we’re doing,” he said.
Jodi Price
Sunshine Coast and Gympie Rugby League president Jodie Price became the first female to lead the organisation in its 103-year after she was appointed in 2022.
She has since been re-elected for the 2023 season.
“I’ve got lots more to do so I’m very happy to go in for another term and get it done,” she said.
The Mountain Creek mother of former Maroochydore Swans player Locky Price, served as a club board member from 2019 to 2021.
Price is also the owner and principal of Ray White Mountain Creek and she and her husband Michael started the Billy’s Buddies rugby league-based program in 2017.
“As the saying goes, if you want something done ask a busy person,” she said.
“I think sporting clubs are getting to the point where more business people need to get involved because they’re turning into quite big business so I thought it would be a challenge to step up and take on this leadership role and it’s working well so far.”
Duncan Greenbank
Duncan Greenbank is the director of water polo at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, coach of the Sunshine Coast schoolgirls and assistance coach of the Australian U16, 18 and 20 men’s teams.
He has plenty of elite-level experience in the sport with the Queensland Academy of Sport, Australian Olympic teams and world championship teams.
Greenbank said he was proud of the talent and growth Sunshine Coast water polo has shown in recent years.
“It’s great and really supported by people like Georgina Kovacs-Muller who is at St Andrews Anglican College and works with Queensland water polo plus coaches an Australian cadet team herself so there’s plenty of driving influences that have been significant to get us where we are,” he said.
“It’s good to get back to where Helen Park, who recently received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to the sport, had positioned Sunshine Coast water polo a few years ago.
“It has been really good across the last six to 12 months with things being put in place that will hopefully allow the kids that are on the Coast to be nationally recognised.”
Danielle Trask
Danielle Trask launched Connect Rugby League in 2022 as an inclusive training program for young adults with disabilities.
The program, available for teenagers 16 and over, was met with support from industry professionals such as mental health advocates, nutritionists, QRL and NRL representatives and former Australian stars Kerrod Walters and Billy Moore taking part.
“We hosted 10 sessions all together and ended up with 17 players taking part which was very exciting,” Trask said.
“You could see a huge benefit in regards to their social, physical and mental health moving forward and 90 per cent of the players I spoke to said they were coming back.”
Mark Evans
Impact Boxing and Fitness Centre head coach Mark Evans has been coaching for more than 20 years and originally began Impact Boxing out of his backyard gym in 2005.
The gym now operates out of Cooroy and Evans said he couldn't be prouder of the growth.
“I’m passionate about the sport and I’m passionate about helping others strive towards their goals,” he said.
“We’ve grown a lot but the journey isn’t about me, it’s about the athletes and seeing them achieve their individual goals which is very rewarding.
“I love trying to engage with anyone that we work with to help steer their lives on a better path and give them the skills to hopefully be better humans.”
Murray Weeding
After hosting the most race meetings in Australia throughout the 2021/22 season, Sunshine Coast turf club racecourse and facilities manager Murray Weeding has now entered his 23rd year at the helm.
Weeding, who was the former racecourse track manager for 14 years at Wagga,said he was proud of the continuous improvement at the club.
“Very proud with how the facilities are going, how the board is progressing, the forward thinking from our CEO John Miller and that there’s some really good people around the place with some good, modern ideas,” he said.
“In the past 12 to 18 months we’ve put the poly track in, done drainage work on the number two grass, there’s now new on-course stables being built and some renovations to the bar and jockeys room, so from top to bottom there’s some really capable and hard working people that are continuously improving things.”
Luke Zeremes
Nambour Toads women’s rugby union head coach Luke Zeremes continues to champion the game on the Sunshine Coast.
Beginning with the Noosa Dolphins and then making the move to Nambour in 2018, Zeremes has continued to boost the Sunshine Coast’s female talent with work at grassroots, regional and state representative levels.
“The growth on the Coast is definitely there which is good as the senior competition has gone from five to seven teams in 2022 and there’s growth in the youth under-15s and under-17s as well,” he said.
“As much as you like to win games we’re about trying to develop individual players and help them with their representative goals as much as winning premierships.
“The quality of rugby being played with the youth teams across the Coast is just ridiculous as their game understanding and game knowledge is brilliant so it’s very exciting times for women’s rugby union on the Coast.”
Justin Morrison
Sunshine Coast Futsal Association technical director Justin Morrison has been involved with futsal in the region for more than 12 years.
He said he was proud of the club’s recent accomplishments.
“We’ve certainly got some good quality and ability here on the Sunshine Coast which is fantastic and we’re continuously aiming to progress each year as a club in representing the region,” he said.
“That’s also a credit to our coaching and volunteer staff as well who have been involved for a number of years now which is great.
“We don’t turn over a great deal of our coaching staff which definitely contributes to our success.”
Morrison said at the Football Australia National Futsal Championships in January 2023, 25 junior Sunshine Coast Wave players will represent Queensland.
Brad Beetson
Sunshine Coast Bunyas president Brad Beetson has long advocated for Indigenous rugby league players across the region, and was the mastermind behind creating an annual knockout carnival in Nambour.
As the son of legendary Australian and Maroons player Arthur, Beetson said his passion for the sport stemmed from the relationships he’d been able to build.
“Sport alone always brings everyone together so to be able to celebrate rugby league talent and culture is always great,” he said.
Peter McKenzie
Race Pace Coaching founder and coach Peter McKenzie has continued to establish and provide the Sunshine Coast with talented runners and triathletes since its inception in 2012.
Mckenzie, who at most points of the year would cater to around 100 athletes, said it was exciting to see the growth of the program.
“There’s a large number of junior and senior athletes involved and their success makes myself and the coaching staff very happy,” he said.
“We’re currently putting together our award recipients for our annual awards night and we’re quite staggered really with how far the kids have come and the number of them that have represented themselves at national and state level.”
Mike Haines
The Brothers Sunshine Coast rugby union club president has helped the club take a huge step forward in 2022 fielding its first ever senior men’s and women’s teams since the club was founded more than 10 years ago.
The club that had promised a senior rugby set up since entering the junior competition in 2011, competed in the new Sunshine Coast Friday night cup and senior women’s competitions, and recently announced their approval from SCRU to expand to a-grade and reserve grade teams in 2023.
“I’m very excited actually, the club is growing at a rate of knots and we had a great opportunity with a large group of senior players taking up a further interest towards our club,” he said.
Haines said he was also extremely proud of the launch of a modified rugby program in 2022 which is rugby union for disabled kids.
“The seniors is great, don’t get me wrong it’s massive for our club and for Sunshine Coast rugby union but this program is right up there as one of the best things we did in 2022,” he said.
“We launched it as a pilot program in 2022 before next year it becomes a fully fledged program for the entire season which is incredible.”
Haines said the club was on the lookout for any players wanting to sign up for the 2023 season.
Georgina Kovacs-Muller
St Andrew’s Anglican College and Queensland water polo staff member Georgina Kovacs Muller began her work on the Sunshine Coast in February 2022.
“I have two part-time roles, one with St Andrew’s Anglican College as water polo co-ordinator and my other role is with water polo Queensland, which is through regional development for players, referees and coaches on the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
“That also means working with some state level teams, and I was recently privileged and honoured to be reappointed as the girls under-16s Australian head coach.”
The Hungarian-born player, official, coach and selector said she was proud of the growth and commitment within the sport over the past year.
“I think it’s now about regrouping. I know that in the past 10 years when I was in Perth, the Sunshine Coast was very strong, and I think there has been a tendency for players coming out of high school to go down to metropolitan clubs,” she said.
“They’re obviously pursuing their careers, so we’re now just trying to revive the Sunshine Coast starting with the grassroots, to then boost those playing numbers later on.
“We now have some fantastic opportunities to provide pathways for these kids through our various local clubs by them collaborating and showing the kids they can make high-level teams from playing and training on the Sunshine Coast.”
Troy Atkins
Atkins was appointed as Sunshine Coast Grammar Schools head of rugby in 2022.
With previous work with the ACT Brumbies and Gungahlin Eagles Rugby Union Club, Atkins said it had been a great first year at the helm.
“The groundwork was already done thanks to the previous heads of rugby and coaches prior to my arrival like Dan Robotham and Will Urquhart who really set the tone, established those key values and the culture,” he said.
“It was very exciting to get an overview of how everything works, maybe fine tune a few things which has been a great experience so far.”
Atkins said he enjoyed creating pathways for the elite level players such as former Grammar students Tate McDermott, Carter and Mason Gordon and Louis Werchon.
“There’s a wealth of talent here with plenty of young and up and coming representative players so the challenge is to find them the right representative pathways and put them on an exit to success,” he said.
“With the players and the coaching staff we have it’s hard not to look at Grammar as the epicentre of talent generation.”
Andrew Pearce
Andrew Pearce is approaching 12 months as Sunshine Coast Cricket’s director of youth development while also holding the title of general manager with the Coastal Marlins.
Pearce, who previously worked with Queensland Cricket, said he was happy with the current trend of cricket in the region.
“My role with the Marlins is very much an operational role so anything from growing and promoting the Marlins, running and delivering coaching clinics, organising players and uniforms so really making sure every bit happens,” he said.
“The Sunshine Coast has always been a strong cricketing nursery.
“We tend to lose players to the GPS systems in Brisbane and we’re now trying to do our best, not to stop them from going, but to provide better development opportunities in terms of specialist programs, better tailored clinics and that focus on the representative process.”
“We’ve had a couple of wins recently where players have been chased but have chosen not to go which is a reflection of the team and individual success as we are very strong in the age groups we need to be.”
Travis Schultz
Travis Schultz, who is predominantly known as a key business figure on the Sunshine Coast, also has his hands in numerous sporting faculties in an attempt to further promote and boost junior talent.
“I’m on the board for the Sunshine Coast Turf Club but perhaps more significantly as a part owner for the Coastal Marlins in the BPL, the major sponsor for the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association and the University Cricket Club and I’m also involved with the Bulls Masters Boarder Group,” he said.
“I played cricket when I was younger but didn’t have the opportunity to continue playing as I had to get a job and put myself through University but when my son picked it up and started making some representative carnivals I became more and more involved.
“I just wanted to see kids on the Sunshine Coast have strong development opportunities that I didn’t have.
“The Boarder Group is made up of 14 companies around Queensland who donate a significant sum each year to be used to develop cricket in the community across regional Queensland.”
Dan Bandera
Bandera was appointed as Acting Regional School Sport Officer in early 2022, to represent all Sunshine Coast schools, and said he had thoroughly enjoyed the past 12 months.
“We’ve got almost 5000 students that participate in our program at the regional level and we send away about 70 teams each year to state championships,” he said.
“We have a very strong representation across the region, with in 2022 our 10-12 boys football, 10-12 girls softball, 10-12 golf team, 13-18 surfing team, 13-19 boys water polo, 16-19 boys cricket and our 17-18 boys rugby union all being crowned Queensland School Sport Champions.”
Bandera said he was extremely proud of the efforts from the players and coaches.
“We always love to get a podium finish,” he said.
“It’s no credit to me, it's all for our coaching and team management staff that help draw upon a high skill set of players that are involved at club land as well.
“We also had a fairly good increase of multi class athletes, particularly in our track and field sports which is something overall we’re working towards to increase the awareness and opportunities for students with disabilities.”
Isabella Nichols
Quickly making a name for herself in the surfing world, Isabella Nichols is a high ranking female surfer from Coolum.
Nichols, 25, began surfing at age nine and is quickly rising up the ranks.
She currently holds a top 10 position on the World Surf League rankings.
Tim Ryan
Ryan was appointed as the chairman for Sunshine Coast Surf Lifesaving in June 2022 but has been involved in Surf Lifesaving within the region for more than 35 years.
The Maroochy Surf Lifesaving life member and former president said the continuous growth across all levels was something to be proud of.
“It’s fantastic and I reckon we’re the engine room for Surf Lifesaving in Queensland,” he said.
“We are very lucky to have a number of talented people that stretch from Redcliffe to Rainbow Beach which is 15 surf clubs all together.
“At Redcliffe there’s more than 700 kids that are on the waiting list to join nippers which is absolutely amazing and we were able to resurrect the Peregian Surf Lifesaving club in 2022 as well after eight years in the wilderness.
“Not all of them want to compete which is fine but a large majority of them want to do some patrols and I think there’s nothing better than standing on that beach to see those youngsters having fun in the water or looking after us from the patrol towers.”
Steve Moody
Moody, who has been involved with Aussie rules Football on the Sunshine Coast since 1994, first began as a player at Nambour, Maroochydore and Noosa before transitioning into coaching at both junior and senior levels.
Most recently Moody took over as the head coach of the Maroochydore Roos women’s QAFLW side and has been a major reason behind the success of elite level teenagers.
“I’m very happy when I see young players go through and end up playing at AFL or AFLW level that I had something to do with,” he said.
“How much influence and so fourth isn’t for me to guess on but I do enjoy that aspect of coaching in terms of helping people and also the comradeship that comes with being involved in a team sport.”
Glenn Duncan
Sunshine Coast Wanderers president Glenn Duncan promised at the end of 2021 to not be a “dictator” but planned to bring unity to a bitterly divided club.
Almost 12 months on, Duncan said he was proud of the work to get the Wanderers on their feet.
“I’m extremely happy with the direction that the club is going at the moment,” he said.
“We have managed to list what both sides want and we’re now working towards a stronger and more united football club moving forward again.”
He said the talent from juniors to senior and throughout the coaching and volunteer staff was a major boost.
“The quality of everyone on the Sunshine Coast is amazing and I think it’s great at the Wanderers that we’re helping bring through the decent players but also the talented coaches which is just as important,” he said.
“Now having a full time technical director in Kevin Aherne-Evans is huge and also our spectacular women’s program as we gain more traction and look towards the women’s world cup in 2023.”
Warren Flower
Flower, who arrived on the Sunshine Coast in 1995, had been heavily involved in hockey within the region as president for Sunshine Coast and Maroochydore for a number of years before stepping down at the end of the 2022 season.
“The last few years have gone pretty well in relation to our younger players, I think last year was the highest number of Queensland representatives we had overall from juniors to veteran masters,” he said.
“Our regional coaching director Jodie Kenny, who was joint Hockeyroos captain for a number of years, has really done a great job as well and we were lucky enough to get awarded a grant to resurface our turf a few years ago which we’re now looking towards some proposals in relation to another turf ahead of the Olympic Games.
“The future for hockey on the Sunshine Coast is fairly bright but that also depends on volunteer work which we’re always on the lookout for more helping hands.”
Graeme Miller
Founder and president of the Invincibles Sunshine Coast Junior Golf Tour, Graeme Miller, has announced the program will begin to wind down at the end of 2022.
The organisation, which was established more than 20 years ago, has benefited the careers of hundreds of young Queensland golfers and would now begin to offer scholarships and provide assistance to junior golfers.
“I’m 74-years-old so it’s all gotten a bit difficult for me now so we had to make a decision and sadly we couldn’t get anyone to fill the bridge but it is a big job and it’s all voluntary,” he said.
“I’m extremely proud of how it’s gone, there’s 22 current players at the Australian Open that have come from the Invincibles which is incredible.
“It’s been extremely rewarding and there’s been a huge amount of kids that have gone out as professionals, trainees or worked in the golfing industry which is quite exciting.”
Miller said it had been a sad few days since the announcement of his retirement but described the program as one of the major highlights of his life.
Toby Coote
Sunshine Coast Tri Academy head coach Toby Coote has again in 2022 been a major reason for various athletes successes at local, state and national level.
In the program’s 20th year Coote said he catered to around 60 athletes that range from junior to senior age divisions.
“It doesn’t matter if they’re juniors or seniors as each individual has their approach to what they want to achieve,” he said.
“It’s really cool to see all the athletes doing well whether that means they’re landing on the podiums or setting new personal best times, it makes my job very cool.”
He said he was happy with the support he had received.
“One of the main reasons that I started SCTA was when I was a kid I made an Australian junior team and had to leave the Sunshine Coast to further progress but always planned to come back and create an environment where those next generational talents didn’t have to leave the region,” he said.
“There wasn’t that pathway when I was coming through so it’s good to be able to provide that environment to rising athletes to stay here or even move here to train and progress further.”
David Moles
Caloundra Panthers AFL club president David Moles has helped grow and expand the sport of Aussie rules on the Sunshine Coast for a number of years.
Moles worked alongside the Kawana Park Eagles junior AFL club for more than 10 years as coach, coaching co-ordinator, vice president and president while helping transform the club into a powerhouse of rising talent that’s now the second largest junior club in the region behind Maroochydore Roos.
“It was great, when we first started there were a few people who had got things going before I got there which was amazing so when it was my turn we kept growing,” he said.
“Like all club presidents really you just try and keep the wheels turning and get more kids playing footy.”
Moles is now with the Caloundra Panthers AFL Club as the President and is helping further the game at both junior and senior levels, with a focus on gaining traction for the women’s competition in 2023.
“It’s growing incredibly quickly really,” he said.
“Last year we were having half a dozen or more guys missing out on games so we’ve started the division four team for 2023 which has oversubscribed already.
“We’ve kicked off a masters program and also the women’s team which last year was our first real feel for it all and now our goal for 2023 is to get into the division one competition.”
Moles also recently announced his departure as president from the Dicky Beach supporters club which he held for four years.
Nick Fitzpatrick
Nick Fitzpatrick is co-Founder of Australia’s largest private coaching organisation, the Australian Cricket Institute.
The long time Sunshine Coast Scorcher helped pioneer the Coastal Marlins in the Brisbane Premier League, which is proving a big success in both its seniors and juniors sides.
“It has had its challenges bringing a new concept to life but we’re all obviously very passionate about cricket on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“I played all my cricket through Maroochydore and the Scorchers until I finished up so it’s great to see it progress further through the franchised based T20 format.”
Joel Szepesvary
With more than 25 years Martial Arts experience, Joel Szepesvary has been at the helm of Combat Lab in Coolum Beach for more the 14 years.
Szepesvary is also the voice behind Coastal Combat, the Sunshine Coast’s only MMA show that had been running since 2016.
“Coastal Combat was created to provide a platform for Sunshine Coast MMA with both international, local and other Australian fighters taking part,” he said.
“We’ve not only exposed the talent and skill on the Sunshine Coast but also vice versa now which is very exciting.”
Szepesvary said he was proud of the growth and acceptance MMA had received in recent years.
“It was slow in the beginning, 14 even eight years ago it was a different climate and it’s hard to imagine what it was back then to how far it’s come as a sport,” he said.
“Even just talking about what you did or trying to get people into the gym was hard but now we’ve got people young and old knocking down the door to come and train so it shows the sport is further accepted.
“It makes me happy knowing that I’m able to give back to the sport that has given me so much and I’m happy to have this platform to continue on.”
Szepesvary thanked the work from some of the Sunshine Coast’s other MMA and fighting gyms.
Lauren Nourse
The Matthew Flinders Anglican College Elite Athlete Program has entered into its second year and director Lauren Nourse said the program was growing as a key offering for young, high-achieving athletes.
The program includes students that are involved in athletics, basketball, cricket, cross country, hockey, modern pentathlon, netball, rowing, rugby, soccer, swimming, surf lifesaving, touch football, triathlon, volleyball, water polo and skiing.
“It empowers our dedicated young athletes at Flinders by teaching them strategies to juggle all aspects of their busy lives in an organised and proactive manner and with a healthy mindset,” Ms Nourse said.
Ms Nourse – a former Australian Netball player and World Championship Gold Medallist and Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist – said it was important to provide the necessary pathways in order for the students to maximise their schooling and sporting achievements.
“As a former elite athlete in the sport of netball, I am aware of the need for a healthy life balance in order to excel and perform to the highest possible standard,” she said.
“We are passionate about ensuring our next breed of high-achieving athletes have the necessary skills and opportunities to maximise their potential in their chosen sport and in their Flinders education, while thriving in their personal lives.”
Peter Bock
Mountain Creek State High School AFL program manager Peter Bock has always championed school sport.
Bock, who also is a successful former cross country runner, said there’s been a growth in recent years in women and girls giving the Sherrin a go.
“Being involved at a school level for the last 10 years, we can see the growth and the number of girls playing club football in our school teams,” he said.
“The influx of interstate people has seen school and junior football grow as well and they’re bringing their passion and wanting to get involved.
“Some of our clubs are at capacity too. Some are full, that’s a change at what it used to be in the past.”
Brock has also officiated more than 50 games as a boundary umpire in the AFL.
Grant Field
Grant Field is the coach of world number five Cameron Smith, who recently won the Players Championship in the US.
Based at Pelican Waters, Field is also the coach of a dozen or so of Australia’s best golfers including Jed Morgan who won this year’s Australian PGA, former Australian Amateur champion Louis Dobbelaar, tour pros Shae Wools-Cobb and Charlie Dann, top amateur Sarah Wilson and up-and-coming champ Ionna Muir.
Field was named the country’s top elite coach in 2022 and has hugely influenced the careers of a large number of top golfers.
Isaac Smith
Veteran Noosa lifeguard Isaac Smith earnt the Regional Lifeguard of the Year honour for the Sunshine Coast region in 2021.
The regional lifeguard awards announcement revealed Smith had been in countless major incidents over his 20-year career as a lifeguard, with many, mainly due to his intervention, resulting in positive outcomes.
Smith also implemented the interservice Noosa National Park induction.
In recent years Mr Smith has even expanded his skill set to become a crewman in the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service
Blake Enever
Former Wallaby and Super Rugby star Blake Enever returned to the region to offer private coaching clinics for rising Sunshine Coast rugby union talents.
The Buderim-born Sunshine Coast Grammar School graduate represented the Sunshine Coast Stingrays from under-14s going on to play at the elite level with the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies.
In 2022 the 30-year-old said his passion to contribute towards the success of Sunshine Coast rugby union was a major reason behind the launch of Enever Coaching.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunities I got from Sunshine Coast rugby union who set that platform for me to jump straight into higher honours and representative rugby,” he said.
“I’m extremely passionate about further developing rugby union and individual talent on the Coast and would love to help provide any kind of guidance or coaching experience to the next generation of players.”
Stephen Pitt
Hinterland Boxing Club head coach Stephen Pitt has been involved in boxing for more than 25 years and is now in his 12th year of coaching.
He is a key reason behind the professional success of Dana Coolwell and said he was proud of the family aspect that comes with his gym.
“I think the closeness of our gym is really cool as everyone is like family by supporting and doing everything together,” he said.
“I really enjoy seeing a young kid walk into the gym wanting to box and seeing them achieve their goals and their dreams no matter how big or small they are.”
Pitt said he was excited to watch and be part of the rapid growth surrounding Australian boxing.
“It’s getting bigger and bigger and I think the world is starting to realise that Australia is becoming a breeding ground for world champions,” he said.
“Anthony Mundine laid the foundation, Jeff Horn carried the torch and now Tim Tszyu and George Kambosos are forging the way for our junior talents.”
Alexa Leary
After suffering horrific brain injuries in a devastating cycling accident on the Sunshine Coast, Alexa Leary was in a fight for her life in a coma.
She spent 111 days in a hospital and rehabilitation ward but rallied against her life-changing injuries to become one of Queensland’s most inspirational tales.
One year on from the nightmare event, Ms Leary is back in the pool and part of the Swimming Australia Para National Development Squad.
“It’s great to be back in the pool, I’m doing mainly freestyle, I can do a little bit of backstroke but my arm isn’t the best so it’s very hard, I can’t do butterfly and I hate breaststroke,” she said.
“I’ll be moving to the Gold Coast soon to be with my coach and I’m going to push myself as I want to win gold for Australia at the Paralympics.”
Warren Crickmore
Taking over the reins as head coach of the Maroochydore Swans in 2022, Warren Crickmore has been a staple of football on the Sunshine Coast for many years.
Crickmore played a huge role in laying the foundations for the Sunshine Coast Wanderers, having worked hard to grow the club and attract strong players from rival clubs.
Crickmore capped off a near perfect 2022 season with the Swans, taking out the division one men’s grand final and gaining FQPL2 promotion for 2023 with a 8–1 win over Willowburn FC.
Nat De Rossi
Sunshine Coast, Fraser and Burnett District Touch Association regional manager Nat De Rossi has been a driving force behind the success of touch football across the region for a number of years.
De Rossi is at the forefront of 15 clubs that include Noosa, Coolum, Caboolture, Bribie Island, Kawana, Kingaroy, Maleny-Witta, Glasshouse, Maryborough, Biggenden, Gympie, Childers, Hervey Bay, Gayndah and Mundubbera.
Athletes from across the region represented the Sunshine Coast Pineapples at the recent National Youth Championships in Kawana with some recently selected for the Broncos Queensland Youth Academy for 2023.
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