Teresa Dreghorn wins Magpie of the Year, others clean up athlete awards
Teresa Dreghorn’s journey to the prestigious award has been 26 years in the making. She is among the many who proudly wear the Magpies’ black and white. FULL LIST
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Magpies Sporting Club recognised some of its top athletes and members at its annual awards ceremony.
From miraculous feats on the fields, pitches and courts in the region, to dedicating countless hours of volunteer work for the smooth running of the club, these are the nominated finalists at the club’s awards night.
Junior Female Athlete of the Year
Madison Brown
In 2021 Madison competed in the state titles in Hervey Bay. She is consistent on and off the field too, leads by example and always tries her best, showing her teammates that girls can play as well as the boys.
Phoebe Franklin
In 2021 Phoebe was made captain of the inaugural youth girls team. She has led the team to successful regional and metropolitan events hosted by Football Queensland. She demonstrates the Magpies Crusaders’ values of energy, effort and enthusiasm. She has also taken up the role of assistant coach of the Magpies Crusaders under-nines squad, providing a positive role model for the kids.
Paityne Johns – Runner Up
Paityne has excelled in rugby league, making every representative team she has been eligible for. She display respect towards all players, coaches, parents and officials. Paityne is committed to fair play, ethical behaviour and integrity. She helps during training sessions by providing guidance and support, and always gives 110 per cent.
Karla Grober – Winner
Not only does she play at school, club and representative level, but Karla also coaches an U14s team, umpires and supports other umpires each week and excels at her school work too. Karla is a dedicated member of the club, she is an all-round positive role model with her playing, umpiring and coaching efforts.
Junior Male Athlete of the Year
Jake Pettigrew – Runner Up
Jake had a breakthrough year as a part of the under-15s Magpies Crusaders squad. He was the second-highest scorer in the Mackay men’s division one competition with 16 goals, and scored a goal in his home men’s reserve debut. Jake’s strong performances have put him in the window for Football Queensland’s state country selection. He is a positive role model, demonstrating the MCU values of energy, effort and enthusiasm. He travels three or four times a week from Airlie Beach and is always prepared to train and play. He is also a junior referee and always leads by example.
Henry Thorpe – Winner
Henry has excelled in rugby league games, making representative teams, he can lead his teammates through skills and drills with confidence and shows teamwork, respect and leadership. He was named Rugby League Mackay and District player of the year for the under-16s age bracket. As a reward for his skill and work ethic he has signed a three-year scholarship with the Canberra Raiders. He is a positive role model on and off the field.
Jameson Beatson – Winner
Jameson won the club’s under-17s best and fairest, captained the U17s team and was awarded the best defender for Magpies senior AFL club. He is a member of the Gold Coast Suns academy, and Jameson is always keen to learn from his coaches and work hard on the track. He displays great sportsmanship and courage on the field, always leading by example when coaching under-12s. Jameson receives high praise and is a vital player in the senior side.
Senior Female Athlete of the Year
Kayla Doherty – Runner Up
Kayla started playing as a six year old in the U9s competition, and has played in all representative levels, achieving great results in school representative, being selected in Capricornia team from U11s through to finishing school. This year she was selected in the Mendi Rays U18s team. Kayla has worked hard as a member of the Magpies premier league team, and has travelled to Townsville regularly to train with the Mendi Rays throughout the season. Kayla is a determined netballer who pushes herself to achieve high standards in all facets of her netball. She shows every junior athlete who watches her how to conduct themselves on court, and has proved hard work can lead to great results.
Zoe Cook – Winner
Zoe’s hard work and determination has pushed her into the area where she can apply her skillset in high-level representative teams. She has achieved representative success, named Mackay Cutters U19s player of the year, a member of the BHP North Queensland Gold Stars, the U19s Queensland State of Origin side, RLMD Magpies player of the year. Zoe’s efforts on the field are just as important as off the field. Zoe trains hard, plays well and has the drive that inspires her teammates, regardless of their skill level. She can be seen before training, helping players with their own games, passing on her experience and knowledge. Zoe is the face of Magpies rugby league.
Senior Male Athlete of the Year
Hayden Pace – Runner Up
Hayden’s dedication to his personal fitness is what has given him the opportunity to be a class above his competitors. Hayden prides himself on his fitness and skill levels on the field, which constantly gives him the edge. Hayden is a Mackay Foley Shield winner, a contracted Mackay Cutters player, and a Mackay Cutters senior player of the year. Hayden is well-respected on and off the field, and has good respect for the officials. He is respected by the energy and work ethic he brings to training and games, and is held in high regard as a good club person. Hayden assists with younger grade players with his knowledge and skills, and has been involved in helping teams with training.
Jayden Tower – Winner
Jayden made his senior debut for the Magpies Crusaders and became the starting goalkeeper for the side. In 2016 he made the Queensland select team and was invited to train with the Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets academy. He is always the first player to arrive at training and the last to leave. He helps set up and pack the kit every session, and is always doing extra sessions while also balancing Year 12 and a part time job. During training sessions he is always helping out the U23s keepers with tips and helping them improve. He has run a number of junior training sessions, and was a coach in the junior pathway programs in 2020.
Volunteer of the Year
Barry and Jan Jansen
They are responsible for the overseeing of the whole Magpies Crusaders. Barry has constantly worked to improving pathways and skills development for regional football in Mackay. Barry and Jan volunteer their time for all home games to ensure everything runs smoothly. They have no children playing at the club but continually volunteer for many years to improve the club. Both have been involved with the club for many years, through from Magpies FC to Magpies Crusaders.
Becky O’Brien
She took on the role as assistant treasurer and registrar in 2020, before transitioning into the treasurer role as a whole and has continued these roles in 2021. This year she has also taken on the role of a coach for a junior team, further expanding on her volunteer efforts for the club. Becky was instrumental in presenting the club’s first sporting club sponsorship requests. Becky also works liaising with Mackay Netball Association, and makes sure all paperwork is completed correctly for all 22 of our teams that take the court. The funding Becky has been able to obtain has allowed for 16 coaches to reach foundation level coaching accreditation, and nine coaches to receive developmental accreditation. She is an exceptionally valuable member of the club.
Brodie Black
Brodie is a hard-working volunteer who is the assistant coach and team manager of the women’s team. He organises training and playing equipment, club raffles and team functions. As assistant coach, he teaches rugby league skills, from basic learning players to high-performance Queensland representative coaches. Brodie can coach and mentor players with his skillset. He is Mr Fix-It. Brodie has also filled in as a volunteer in the AFL league, helping run water for the U20s, reserves and premier grade teams.
Mel Fowler
She is not only a sponsor for the club, but Mel also manages two teams that travel away. She puts her hand up to help out at carnivals and helps whenever she is needed. Mel donated lunches to the youth teams when they went away and is always a friendly face around the club. She knows so many players by name and always has time to help out.
Peter Thiele
Peter has volunteered time with coaching and admin, and is the team manager for the reserve grade AFL team. Peter has washed both sets of senior and reserves jerseys every week. He helped with coaching, ran water and was a trainer for the reserves. He performed scoreboard and timekeeping roles when asked, and always gives positive advice for committee members. He fills in coaching roles for U6s, U8s and U10s, and is a constant voice of positive advice. He is a life member of the club and has coached the women’s team for three years.
Sue-Anne Keating – Runner Up
Over the past five years, Sue has contributed many hours to the position of sports trainer for the junior rugby league. She not only helps her three children’s teams, but many teams from our club. She regularly attends training on Tuesdays and Fridays to help out. Sue regularly gives her time on weekends and is available to help the club when required. She actively seeks volunteers into the club and mentors them through their training and skill development.
Mandy Hughes – Winner
Mandy has been the club treasurer for the past 30 years, ensuring invoices are paid on time and payments and registrations are paid on time. She has attended each monthly meeting to present financials with three young children in tow. Mandy has ensured a familiar face is always seen at Magpies FC, and has provided tremendous support to those starting new roles on the committee or starting to volunteer themselves.
Magpie of the Year
Julie Morgan – Runner Up
Julie is the first-aid officer and club registrar at Magpies senior rugby league. She has contributed significant unpaid hours from pre-season training, home and away games. She organises the registration of about 160 people, and ensure the club’s compliance is upheld. She has held committee meetings and organises the club raffle. She is very committed and reliable, and is a proud Magpie who is passionate about women’s rugby league. She is passionate about bringing new people to the club and making them feel right at home.
Leah Morris – Runner Up
She is the current junior rugby league registrar, who has 400 players registered. Leah looks after maintaining the players’ details within the database. She contributes the day-to-day details in the database, and looks after everything. Leah’s role is ongoing and is a constant role that requires her to give her time all hours of the day and night. Leah tirelessly works behind the scenes to make sure all players are registered for their season.
Teresa Dreghorn – Winner
Teresa was the founding member of the netball club 26 years ago, when she played, coached, umpired and administered the club. Fast forward 17 years and she returned to the club alongside her daughter, donning the black and white. From 2015 she has volunteered, ordered, designated and carried out office duties, organising grants and sponsorship, liaised court hire, organised trophies, presentation night and washed every bib at the end of the season. She has organised sales, sausage sizzles, raffles, while also attending every club meeting. Her fundraising efforts have helped support coaches and umpires.
From a humble beginning in a shed 26 years ago, the Magpies netball club has a demanding presence in the Mackay community with hundreds of athletes donning the black, white and bibs.
The growth within the region’s sporting community can be largely attributed to founding member Teresa Dreghorn, who still volunteers her time for the club more than two decades later.
Ms Dreghorn was awarded the Magpie of the Year at the club’s annual awards ceremony, and said it was a “true honour” to receive recognition.
“It seems a little unfair to get recognition for this award, because I get a lot of joy out of the work,” she said.
“A club’s success is measured by the people who give up their time to get players onto a court or field.
“There has to be a holistic approach where people umpire, coach, do office duties, form a committee and fill the gaps because without them the sports can’t go ahead.”
Ms Dreghorn is also a key figure at Mercy College, and has played a significant role in securing and organising the Queensland Independent Secondary School Netball competition for Mackay in 2022.
She said it was really rewarding to watch younger players come through the club.
“To see players being pushed and reach their personal best,” she said.
“It doesn’t mean they’re the best, but they’re reaching their potential in different areas like playing, umpiring or coaching.
“It’s not about if they’re best on the court, it’s where they best fit within the club.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Teresa Dreghorn wins Magpie of the Year, others clean up athlete awards
Cowboys backline takes shape as centre hints at Feldt replacement
Todd Payten’s new-look backline is taking shape with the frontrunner to claim right centre giving a hint at who could replace Kyle Feldt on the wing. Read the latest from Cowboys HQ.
England star explains shock move to North Queensland Cowboys
John Bateman has spoken for the first time since turning his back on Wests Tigers to join the Cowboys, insisting he is determined to see out his two-year deal. Find out why he decided to join North Queensland.
‘A true workhorse’: Meet Mackay Cutters’ under-17 superstars
With QRL junior action set to get underway in a matter of weeks, take a look at the key players set to light up the Harvey Norman, Mal Meninga and Cyril Connell Cups in 2025.
‘We couldn’t knock back the opportunity’: How Souths landed their fourth NRL recruit
Souths Sharks coach Mark Bowden reveals how his club landed their fourth ex-NRL recruit for the 2025 season
Former rugby player busted breaking down door
A former local rugby league player found himself in trouble with the law again after breaking down a door in a home he shouldn’t have been in — but he was quick to make amends.
REVEALED: How $25k is being invested in the next generation of Mackay athletes
A collection of Queensland sporting icons have helped to celebrate the Mackay Sports Foundation receiving $25,000 in new funding.