Vote now: Sports stars of the Gold Coast up for honours as 30+ People’s Choice finalists revealed
The 55th Annual Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year Awards are just shy of three weeks away, and in the meantime, we’re giving you the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award. See where you can purchase tickets, plus cast your vote before February 23:
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The 55th Annual Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year Awards are just shy of three weeks away (March 9), and the finalists in each category are crossing their fingers in hope of receiving recognition of their achievements, contributions and sacrifices made throughout 2023.
In the meantime, we’re giving you the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award.
Nominations have now closed and the winner of the People’s Choice award will be revealed at the Gold Coast SPorts Awards.
Montana Atkinson
Montana Atkinson has always set herself one big goal and that dream is slowly becoming a reality. She was named the Commonwealth Games Australia Emerging Athlete of the Month in April 2023 and was also this year was selected for the 23/24 Para Flipper Development team where, she was nominated to go to the Open Para Dolphin Flipper camp in the hopes to be internationally classified in February. Atkinson will be competing at the upcoming World Para Series in Melbourne in five events and has set herself a goal to trial for the Paralympics for Paris 2024 – a goal set about four years ago. Her dedication to swimming is unleveled. Her weekly schedule includes nine pool training sessions, three gym sessions and two pilates sessions on top of school.
Lynsey Clarke
Lynsey Clarke is an international lawn bowls superstar. She had one of her most successful years ever in 2023 – which also happened to be the year she retired from the Australian Team after 20 years of representation. In 2023, and in her final game for the country, Clarke won the World Triples Championship right here on the Gold Coast. An amazing swan song that our two beautiful children aged five and eight could be there for in support and celebration. Clarke’s 2023 achievements also include a World Fours Championship Silver Medal, an Australian Championship Pairs Gold Medal, a Queensland State Pairs Gold Medal, two Gold Coast District Titles, and numerous major high level events on the Bowls Circuit.
“She manages to achieve all this and commit to her sporting goals/training while balancing being an amazing and inspirational mum to our two children and working full time as a Performance Coach with Australia’s next generation of bowls superstars,” her husband Brad said.
“She has a sporting house named in her honour, Armitage House at her high school in Helensvale and would be very deserving of this accolade and acknowledgment from within our community.”
Gareth Morgan
In a game for the Mudgeeraba Nerang and Districts Cricket Club, Morgan took six wickets in six balls against Surfers Paradise in division three. This turnaround secured an improbable victory for his team. He was later labelled ‘Captain Morgan’ and voted Gold Coast’s top sporting moment of 2023.
Nolan (Tianxiao) Yu
He won the champion of 2023 Australia Open Short Track Speed Skating Championship champion Junior F (under-9) and the New Zealand Open Short Track Speed Skating Championship champion Junior F (under-9). Yu is one of very few ice skaters on the Gold Coast due to not having a local rink. He has proven that hard working pays off even when lacking facilities and resources. Further, Yu placed second at the 2023 Queensland All School Cross-Country (under-8).
Oscar Myers
Myers has worked tirelessly as a youth elite athlete, gaining a position in the QLD under-16 Football squad in 2022 and again in the under-19 QLD Football squad for 2023 as a 16-year-old. Post-QLD representation, he was offered a position in the under-19 Australian Schoolboys squad and represented Australia in January 2024 throughout the UK and Holland as the youngest member of the 19-man squad. Myers was voted into the inaugural Schools Premier League All-Star team after a strong year representing the Palm Beach Currumbin SHS football excellence squad through an undefeated season. Alongside his commitment to his own training regime, Myers assists in coaching junior players from six to 11-years-old each week.
Arisa Trew
She became the first female to complete a 720 in front of iconic skateboarding figure Tony Hawk and teenager Arisa Trew is the start of a conveyor belt of talent set to ensure Australia are Olympic gold medal contenders for years to come. Trew is just 13-years-old, hitting tricks most elite skaters can only dream of. She is currently ranked 14th in the world and seeded 14th for the Paris Olympics, thanks to a recent performance at the Japan XGames where she place 4th from a line-up of 16 of the world’s best female skaters.
Jada Ward
Jada Ward is the daughter of former Vert Pro & Level Up owner Trevor Ward. . In 2021, Ward broke her fingers and couldn’t surf but was encouraged by Aussie surfing prospect Sierra Kerr to attend Level Up. A year after starting her skateboarding journey, Ward finished 10th in her maiden professional contest at the Tony Hawk Vert Alert.
Indy Cotton
Indy has already notched Australian and Queensland representative honours at a Junior Level, bringing home Gold on many occasions. A deadly 3 level scorer, Indy uses his length, speed and athleticism to attack defences, with his opponents defensive principles and schemes primarily aimed to limit his offensive prowess. Indy shows maturity well above his age, and a quiet leadership respected by his peers. He has a silky smooth game, plays at his own pace and the sky is the limit for him.
Elsa sif Sandholt
The tall timber goal shooter is consistently strong under the post and makes feeding easy. At 192cm tall is it an impressive feat that she can play goal attack as well. The Somerset College graduate, who plays for the Ipswich Jets HART Sapphire Series side, was named a Firebirds Futures ANC team member in 2023 and is well on her way to SSN.
Jess Milne
Defensive star Jess Milne had a cracking 2023 HART Sapphire Series campaign with the Gold Coast Titans and has returned for the 2024 season – starting in April. The 21-year-old was last named in the Firebirds Futures ANC squad for 2023. While she did not make the final playing 12, her experience as a training partner was just as valuable.
Talitah Faifai
A prolific goal shooter/ goal attack, Faifai is a household name on the coast and within HART Sapphire circles. She is currently preparing for her final National Netball Championships, her second year in the under-19s age group, which will be held in Victoria this April. As one of the youngest permanent Sapphire contractees, Faifai’s youth is an advantage against Sapphire competitors who underestimate her talent.
Kaylin Van Greunen
Bond University Bull Sharks (HART Sapphire) goal shooter Kaylin Van Greunen made her ANC debut for the Sunshine Coast Lightning in 2023. Most recently, she was named in her fourth and final Queensland team ahead of the under-19 National Championships in April. Formerly a Darling Downs Panther, the teen has been guided by a team of elite coaches at her Gold Coast club.
Hayden Jones
At the 2023 J200 Kuala Lumpur, Jones reached the semi-finals after defeating Kazakhstan’s Danial Rakhmatullayev in straight sets. Despite going down to United States junior Adhithya Ganesan (4-6, 6-7), the 17-year-old fought hard. It was the second-straight J200 tournament Jones had reached the semi-finals in, defeated by Ganesan in both cases. The older sibling of Emerson Jones, Hayden holds 13th place ITF Junior Ranking as of 12 February 2024. He progressed to the quarter-final of the 2024 Australian Open Junior Singles Grand Slam and to round two of the Doubles Championships.
Sam Stephenson
The son of Manly and Cronulla star Paul Stephenson, Sam has already built an impressive rugby league CV at only age 17. It’s no wonder he was identified by the Gold Coast’s pathways system from an early age. The Palm Beach Currumbin project, boasting plenty of football DNA, made the Queensland Schoolboys team in 2023 and has been a dominant force for the Future Titans.
Alex Leapai Jnr
Just turned 18, Leapai Jr stands 195cm and weighs a whopping 120kg and will make his professional fight debut on April 3 in Adelaide on a card featuring some former AFL stars. Leapai Jr was weighing up severing ties with the Gold Coast to follow in the footsteps of his famous father Alex, who fought for the heavyweight world title in 2014. Such is his size, Leapai Jr would have been pushing for a senior Titans debut in the next 12 to 18 months and believes he could have dominated in the NRL.
Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui
Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui has had a dream for the past 10 years or more – to play in the NRL with older brother Tino. A prop, just like his notable sibling, last played alongside Tino when the pair were in the under-12s at junior club the Gympie Devils. Iszac signed for the Titans on a development deal for this campaign with a progression to the club’s top 30 squad set for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Zane Harrison
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS half Harrison finished the Langer Trophy competition the No. 1 halfback and was named in Courier Mail’s Team of the Season. From Tweed Heads, he is a great organising half who plays to his strengths, and also the strength of his team. He is smart, having recently represented the NSW 17s. He is currently training with the NRL top squad.
Jed Walter
The 195cm tall forward was tipped to be the first overall selection (2023 AFL Draft) if he had been on the open market, but Gold Coast had bidding rights on the academy product. He was picked as number three in the draft and was poised to be an early debut for the side before breaking his collarbone in pre-season.
Emerson Jones
A Gold Coast tennis prodigy, Jones made her way into history books last October by becoming the youngest player to claim an ITF Grade A junior competition since Australian sporting idol Ash Barty won the Wimbledon Juniors in 2011. The 15-year-old took out the prestigious Osaka Mayor’s Cup after defeating Russian opponent Kristiana Sidorova in straight sets (7-6, 7-5). Jones then went on to fall agonisingly short in her quest to become the first Australian to win the junior girls’ singles (Australian Open), going down 6-4, 6-1 to Renata Jamrichova in the final.
Jenny Alcorn
Eight months after receiving a life-changing cancer diagnosis, one of Australia’s greatest sporting inspirations has been nominated for the prestigious Daphne Pirie Spirit of Sport Award. Sixty-five-year-old Jenny Alcorn is one of 50+ nominees across all categories at this year’s Sports Gold Coast awards evening. The World Kona Ironwoman Champion (Age Group) and legendary triathlete was last year spun into a whirlwind of chemotherapy and treatments after a sudden seizure she’d initially put down to a hamstring injury. Nevertheless, Alcorn has set her sights on the World Multi-Games Championships to be held in Townsville this August.
Genevieve Gregson
It was a huge first Gold Coast Marathon for Genevieve Gregson, who claimed third place in her first 42km event. She recorded a time of 2 hours 28 minutes and 33 seconds – and it was clear how much it meant to her as she crossed the finish line.
Emma Petrie
At 6’2, she has the ability to play on the perimeter or inside to try and take advantage of her size and athleticism on both ends of the floor. Having been coached by Pero Cameron in the Lady Rollers NBL1 program last year she has been able to bring that experience back to her junior basketball this season. The team will go as this young lady goes for the rest of the season.
Ben Tweedy
A fellow TSS star to Cotton and Gold Coast junior, Tweedy was key in Southport’s Basketball Australia School Nationals in 2023. The Gold Coast Rollers NBL1 young gun averaged 28.67 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.17 assists throughout the week and saved his best for last as he put in an unforgettable performance in the gold medal game.
Brendan Larcombe
A former drug addict ran 103kgs to raise awareness for those who suffer from ice addiction. At his worst, Larcombe struggled with his addiction as well as alcoholism and homeless. After three bouts of rehab, Larcombe came through the other side and now runs to raise awareness in hope he can help others who want to overcome the addiction.
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
People on the Gold Coast know just how strong this school sport is. In 2023, PBC won the Langer Trophy defeating Ipswich SHS hanging onto win in nailbiting fashion but not only that, the AFL teams won all four grades for the AFL Schools Cup, becoming the first school to achieve such a feat.
Ali Day
Ironman winner, Coolangatta Gold champion. Day entered and won his ninth Coolangatta Gold in 2023 and will look to make it a perfect 10 in the 40th running of the annual event in 2024. The now 33-year-old shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to compete in surf life saving competitions.
Albert Tu’ua
Albert had a year to remember winning multiple Muay Thai titles, including becoming the World Champion for his weight division and finishing off 2023 winning the Tag Team event held at Dreamworld with his sparring partner and best mate Brandon Baresic. Albert also won the best knockout in 2023.
Mackenzie Arnold
The Matilda’s definition of a brick wall – Australian’s were glued to their seats when Australia battled it out in a shootout with France during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 – of 10 shots on goal, Arnold saved seven of them showcasing her skills as Australia’s best goalkeeper.
Gold Coast Titans NRLW
The Titans women captured the hearts of the Gold Coast Rugby League heartland as the girls made it to the NRLW grand final and looked to have it won with just minutes remaining before running out of steam but have inspired a city as well as many young girls to take on the sport.
Shelby McMahon
Shelby was named captain of the Matildas under 17s squad in 2023 at age 15. The Gold Coast teen has her eyes on the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Brodie Kostecki
The Gold Coast racer took home the Supercars championship for the first time in 2023, edging out Shane van Gisbergen and David Reynolds in the final race of the championship in Adelaide.
Xavier Barlett
The 25-year-old TSS representative debuted for Australia in the one day series against the West Indies in the 2023/24 season taking a total of eight wickets across his two matches. Barlett was one of three TSS students and four Gold Coast representatives that were part of the Brisbane Heat’s BBL championship title this season.
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