Coolangatta Gold superstar Ali Day adds a new title to his name, one he never expected to win
Ali Day has a long list of accolades next to his name, but he had little idea he was going to be adding another on Saturday. Check out the full list of sports winners here >>>
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Superstar Ironman Ali Day is no rookie when it comes to winning an award but he seemed lost for words when he claimed his latest title.
Day, who has won nine Coolangatta Gold races, won the Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year Award.
The 33-year-old said it wasn’t something he ever thought he would win.
“It's a huge shock, I come from a small town where I couldn’t even win a sports star there,” Day said.
“Had some pretty tough talent on the Gold Coast.
“Just thrilled and honoured to win an award like this.”
The Ironman champion seems to be getting better as he has gotten older with no signs of slowing down as he chases the perfect 10 from 10 in the Coolangatta Gold in 2024.
“It’s doing a couple of things like doing the finer details and being consistent day in, day out,” Day said.
“Everyone here loves sport, particularly the athletes who are still competing.
“I love doing what I do, it’s one of the best jobs in the world you know.
“I get to live here on the Gold Coast in Miami, train, go to the beach everyday, go to the pool at Bond University.
“It’s an amazing lifestyle that I get to do and I get to live, so it’s pretty easy to get up in the morning and training.”
Day edged out Gold Coast champions boxer Jai Opetaia, world rugby sevens player of the year Maddison Levi, Australian hockey’s top goal score in 2023 Rosie Malone, equestrian star Kate Kyros, athletics star Ellie Beer, Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, Supercars 2023 winner Brodie Kostecki, Matildas star Hayley Raso, and pro surfer Ethan Ewing.
It’s another incredible award added to Day’s long list of triumphs which have included five Nutri-Grain Series wins.
“Tonight will stand out (as a memory) - you look at the list of people who have won this award before and you have to pinch yourself,” Day said.
“I look at Shannon Eckestein’s name was on there, he is obviously a hero of mine.
“And someone like Trevor Hendy as well.
“That means a lot to me to win an award like this and I wouldn’t be standing where I was if it wasn’t for a lot of people.”
Day recently took on his next big challenge, opening a gym on the Gold Coast.
“When we got advice, everyone told us not to open a gym on the Gold Coast because there is 500,” Day said.
“But we really felt that we could change it to something different, and have a different level of care.
“My business partner was a footy player, we wanted to create an environment where people felt safe and enjoyed training.
“I felt like we have been able to do that.”
His gym Actv Strength Co has four locations, Burleigh Heads, Ashmore, Coolangatta and Eltham.
Special Achievement for humbling official
Football referee Jarred Gillett has been praised at the Gold Coast Sports Star Awards night after the official claimed the Mayor’s Special Achievement Award.
Gillett is one of the world’s best football referees, starting off covering the A-League in Australia before taking his skills overseas.
Unable to attend the night as he is in England refereeing the English Premier League, Gillett thanked the people for recognising officials not just the athletes.
“I am really proud and humble to receive this award from my home town that has produced so many great athletes,” a recording of Gillett said.
“I think it’s great to see the Sports Star of the Year Awards have chosen to recognise officials along side the players and athletes.
“We care just as much about our sport as they do and it takes just as much hard work, dedication and commitment to reach the top.”
It all started at Mudgeeraba for Gillett, where he found his passion for the game.
Playing football and refereeing on the Gold Coast, Gillett quickly rose through the ranks, before going on to becoming one of three full-time referees in the A-League.
Gillett has officiated the 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 A-League Grand Finals before moving to England to referee in the English Football League in 2019.
He officiated his first ever Premier League game in 2021, becoming the second person born outside of the British Isles to referee an EPL game, taking charge of the 1-1 draw between Watford and Newcastle United on September 25, 2021.
Away from football, Gillett gained his doctorate in sports science specialising the research in children with cerebral palsy.
His dad, Greg accepted the award on stage for Jarred on Saturday night.
“Perseverance got him to the Premier League, he had to hand in his FIFA badge,” Greg said.
“People don’t know this, just to prove to everyone over there just how serious he was and how determined he was to make it over there.
“This would mean giving up the future possibility of the Olympics and the World Cup.
“He gave it all up to have his dream come true.
“He was Australia’s number one referee when he left and he would have to start all over again in the lower ranks in England to prove himself to everybody.
“Which he did.”
‘Pinching myself’: Price claims Para-Sports Star Award
The 2022 Gold Coast Bulletin Sports Woman of the Year has added to her list of achievements after winning the Para-Sports Star of the Year gong at the Gold Coast Sports Awards on Saturday night.
Natasha Price is an incredible athlete who powers through every obstacle she faces.
On Saturday night she added to her long list of accolades.
Price said she didn’t think at all she was a chance to win it.
“I am still completely gobsmacked, mind blown to be honest,” Price said.
“When I saw the calibre of athletes up there, I thought I have got absolutely no chance and I was just pleased to be there.
“Then when my name was called out, it felt incredibly surreal.
“I’m so incredibly proud, still sort of pinching myself, it just doesn’t feel real at all.”
The Para-Sports Star Award will sit nicely along side the 2019 Auckland Marathon and 2023 Brisbane Marathon winning trophies.
She is also the Queensland State Champion in three track events in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
She also won the Athletics National Championship bronze medal in 400m in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and 200m in 2023.
Despite having a great record, Price doesn’t believe she will make the Paralympic Games this year.
“I am focusing on sprints now for a little while and hoping to and certainly working towards the Paralympics,” Price said.
“I don’t know if I am going to make this one unfortunately.
“I have had covid and a couple of things during my qualifying races so its not something that is likely to happen this time round.
“However I do have one more chance to get that time and that's going to be in Switzerland in the World Athletics Grand Prix in June.
“And if I don’t make that time then I am going to have to miss out on this opportunity but there is LA in 2028.”
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