Queensland Academy of Sport Athlete Awards celebrate historic sporting success

Curtis McGrath was voted by his peers as the Queensland Academy of Sport Athlete Awards winner during a dinner of champions at the City Hall on Friday night.

Curtis Mcgrath with his gold medal from Paris - he was a winner again last night. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Curtis McGrath was last night voted by his peers as the Queensland Academy of Sport Athlete Awards winner during a dinner of champions at the City Hall.

On a night when the stars glittered as brightly as city’s newly lit Christmas tree just metres away in King George Square, retiring swimming legend Emma McKeon and Michael Bohl were also lauded, one (McKeon) with an award, and other (Bohl) with lavish praise from three award winners.

QAS AWARDS RESUME FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2011

A who’s who of Queensland sporting excellence attended the award ceremony, reintroduced for the first since 2011 to give the 530 athletes supported by QAS a prestigious local award to strive towards.

The great Emma McKeon with one of her Paris medals.(Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)

Australia’s most successful Olympian McKeon was crowned the Inspiring Extraordinary Sporting Success award winner while Queensland swimming darling Kaylee McKeown was crowned Olympic Athlete of the Cycle winner.

McGrath won two awards - the athlete award voted by his peers, and the Paralympic Athlete of the Cycle award.

He entered the Paris 2024 Paralympics the defending canoe champion, and claimed a glistening gold medal - earning the highest of admiration from his Olympic and Paralympic peers.

Gold Coast schoolgirl Arisa Trew, who captured the hearts of a nation when she became the country’s youngest gold medallist, was also an award winner.

Australian gold medallist skateboarder Arisa Trew . (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

The skateboarding ace won the Emerging Athlete award after winning 2024 Olympic gold aged just 14 years, two months, and 26 days.

Korey Boddington ( Paralympics), Cameron McEvoy (swimming) and elite coaches Dean Boxall (swimming) and Ben Newton (Paralympian and High Performance coach) were also winners.

Paralympian Gold Medallist Korey Boddington arrives home in Brisbane to parents Elizabeth Chapel and dad Paul (pictured) and partner Chloe Burton after competing in Paris. Pics Adam Head

Boxall accepted two awards - one on behalf of the all-conquering St Peters Western swimming program, and the other an individual award for QAS Coach of the Cycle.

During their speeches, both Boxall and McKeown lauded retiring Australian coaching swimming great Bohl.

St Peters legends - Ariane Titmus with her coach Dean Boxall after the presentation of the 400m in Paris. Pic: Michael Klein

The bashful Bohl, who is taking a break from directly coaching athletes, has never had a swimmer off an international podium during an extraordinary career which many good judges say made him Australia’s most successful sporting coach.

McKeown said it was Bohl, the Griffith University Swim Club head coach, who gave her the confidence to take on the world when she first entered the Dolphins’ team.

Two champions meet in Paris - Kaylee McKeown and coach Michael Bohl.Picture: Adam Head

She may have had startling ability, but Bohl brought out her very best qualities both in and out of the water.

Boxall said he owed it all to Bohl, who mentored him when Bohl first came into coaching at the St Peters’ club.

It was under Bohl the seeds were sown for St Peters to grow into the most powerful club in Australian swimming - if not world swimming.

Australian and Griffith University Swim Club swim coach Michael Kohl at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Southport - he is taking a break from direct coaching. Pics Adam Head

The winners were selected from 41 finalists across 10 award categories.

“We watched in awe as our Queensland athletes showed us their strength, skill

and dedication as they represented Australia at the Paris 2024 Games,” said Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander.

“The QAS Athlete Awards recognise that behind every medal, every magic

sporting moment and every athlete at the top of their game, is a team of people

who helped to get them there.”

Curtis McGrath of Team Australia, celebrates victory following the Men's Kayak Single 20m KL2 Final. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

“I congratulate all of the award winners and thank the QAS team for their tireless

work to ensure our Queensland athletes continue to shine on the world stage in

the lead up to Brisbane 2032.”

Minister Mander said the awards acknowledged the years of work from Tokyo to

Paris.

“A record 40 QAS staff were selected to support our Australian Olympic and

Paralympic teams in Paris and at staging camps, which is testament to their

world-class skill and knowledge,” Minister Mander said.

Kaylee McKeown - the Queensland swimming champion. Pic by Delly Carr.

“While we reflect and celebrate our Paris achievements, we continue working to

develop the next generation of athletes, with more than 300 in the pipeline to

compete in LA 2028 and beyond.

“We also take this opportunity to recognise our Olympic, Paralympic and national

senior team athletes who are retiring after the Paris cycle.’’

AWARDS

QAS Athlete Award, voted by the athletes: Curtis McGrath

QAS Magic Moment of the Paris 2024 Olympics: Cameron McEvoy

QAS Magic Moment of the Paris 2024 Paralympics: Korey Boddington

QAS Olympic Athlete of the Cycle: Kaylee McKeown

QAS Paralympic Athlete of the Cycle: Curtis McGrath

QAS Emerging Athlete of the Cycle (presented by

Griffith University): Arisa Trew

QAS Coach of the Cycle (presented by AlphaFit): Dean Boxall

QAS Development Coach of the Cycle: Ben Newton

QAS High Performance Program of the Cycle: United by Excellence: St Peters Western Swimming

QAS Inspiring Extraordinary Sporting Success: Emma McKeon

Cameron McEvoy of Australia. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Originally published as Queensland Academy of Sport Athlete Awards celebrate historic sporting success