Tatum Stewart and Cedar Johnson take home major 2024 Sports Darling Downs awards
A hockey star followed in her father’s footsteps with a special win on the weekend, while a teenage athlete was rewarded for his record-breaking 2024. Check out the major winners from the Sports Darling Downs awards night here.
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The Darling Downs’ top athletes were celebrated on Saturday night with the annual Sports Darling Downs awards night held.
While there were several awards on offer, all eyes were on the senior and junior sports stars of the year awards.
Fresh off the back of her maiden Olympics with the Hockeyroos, Tatum Stewart took out the highly prestigious Senior Sports Star of the Year award.
The award holds special significance to the Stewart family, as Tatum’s father, Darren, also won the award.
Darren claimed the trophy in 1986 after he competed in the 1986 Commonwealth Games in swimming.
While Tatum was unable to attend the ceremony due to Hockeyroos commitments, Darren was in attendance and revealed his pride in seeing his daughter win the award.
“Having been there yourself, you know what it takes and you know what it means,” he said.
“It is a special moment and a special time and I’d like to think it means something to her as well.
“It’s certainly the accumulation of the work she’s put in over the years.
“Many people spoke about it being a team effort, so many people have helped her get to where she is today.
“Everyone has contributed and the Toowoomba community has played a large part in that.”
Stewart shared what it was like watching Tatum as a junior.
“Neither my wife nor I were hockey people so we didn’t know (if she would make it to the professional level),” he said.
“We just wanted our kids to play sport, whatever it was, we wanted them to enjoy what they did.
“She was just a kid out there having fun, we encouraged that right through.
“We encouraged her to stay with her teammates and have fun with kids her own age because sports are meant to be fun.
“If you’re having fun, it’s easier to do good at it.”
Teenage distance athlete Cedar Johnson took home the Junior Sports Star of the Year award after a stellar 2024.
“It felt great (to win), it was a great experience,” Johnson said.
“When James (O’Shea) called my name, I was in shock sitting there.
“It is great being recognised, it feels great.”
After a record breaking year, Johnson revealed some of the standout moments for him.
“One of my highlights would be the national 3000m in Melbourne where I got the record and the gold which was great,” he said.
“That helped me to get the award that I got.”
As part of the award, Johnson took home $2,000 and revealed how that will help him in his future sporting exploits.
“It is a fair bit of money but it will probably go towards travelling or a new pair of shoes or anything to help me out with that running,” he said.
2024 Sports Darling Downs award winners
Junior Sports Star of the Year: Cedar Johnson (Athletics)
Senior Sports Star of the Year: Tatum Stewart (Hockey)
Senior Sports Star of the Year runner-up: Ashley Bidgood (Target Rifle Shooting)
Junior Sports Star of the Year runner-up: Mackenzie Grimes
Junior Chase Your Dream Award: Dusty Schroder (BMX)
Senior Chase Your Dream Award: Sienna Deurloo (Swimming)
Junior Rising Star Award: Bryce Krause (Swimming)
Senior Rising Star Award: Jackson Griffiths (Boxing)
Team of the Year: Toowoomba U18 Men’s hockey team
Coach of the Year: Jackie Gallagher (Athletics)
Umpire/Referee of the Year: Eve Hawes (Volleyball)
Volunteer of the Year: Alisa Panzram (Hockey)
Junior Para Athlete of the Year: Mitchell Wilkes (Aquathlon/Triathlon)
Senior Para Athlete of the Year: Kyrna Krump (Cricket)
Primary School of the Year: Toowoomba East State School
Secondary School of the Year: Clifford Park Special School
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Originally published as Tatum Stewart and Cedar Johnson take home major 2024 Sports Darling Downs awards
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