Seven Gold Coast athletes nominated for prestigious sports honour

Seven of the Gold Coast’s top local athletes have been named as finalists for the 52nd Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year Award.

Seven of the Gold Coast’s top local athletes have been named as finalists for the 52nd Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year Award.

The winner of the award will join a prestigious list of sporting greats including recent winners Sally Pearson, Shannon Eckstein and Steph Gilmore.

Reigning Gold Coast Bulletin athlete of the year Millie Boyle will be tough competition for sailor Mat Belcher, motorsport’s Toby Price and swimmer Emma McKeon, who have been nominated for the second straight year.

Sports Gold Coast & the GC Sporting Hall of Fame media call at Southport Sharks to announce this year's Awards. Athletes Millie Boyle (League & Union) and Mat Belcher (Sailing) . Picture: Jerad Williams

Northcliffe ironwoman Georgia Miller has been recognised in her first year on the Coast while Aron Sherriff and Gretel Tippett have been nominated for their performance in lawn bowls and netball respectively.

Boyle said to be nominated alongside a talented field of athletes was a humbling experience.

“It’s incredibly humbling, especially being around so many great athletes on the Gold Coast from so many different sports.

“Those girls and athletes are so iconic and have so much in their sport.

“It really shows the significance of the award.

“To be invited to the night is so special and I couldn’t imagine taking (the award) away.”

Double Olympic medallist Mat Belcher paid tribute to the Gold Coast as a nursery for athletes to springboard onto the world stage.

“The Gold Coast has a great sporting history and the success of Gold Coast athletes has been enormous.

“I go to a lot of different awards and I’ve never seen so many attend the Gold Coast awards.

“It shows what it means to be recognised by your local community and the camaraderie of Gold Coast athletes themselves.”