Mackenzie Grimes wins Sports Darling Downs Junior Sports Star of 2023
It was a night to remember for several athletes as the 25th annual Sports Darling Downs awards night was held at Rumours International with some of our greatest talents taking home prestigious awards. Check out the full list of winners here.
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It was a night to remember for Mackenzie Grimes as she took home the award for the Sports Darling Downs Junior Sports Star of 2023 on Saturday night at a packed out Rumours International.
The 15-year-old swimmer was delighted to take home one of the biggest awards on offer to aspiring athletes in the region.
“It was really good, I wasn’t really expecting it but it was a really good turnout and I was just happy to get the award,” Grimes said.
“I think everyone had an even chance throughout the room but I was just really privileged to get it in the end.”
The young star who won several gold medals across various national competitions in 2023, was left shocked when she heard her name announced as the winner.
“My heart just started racing so fast, I can’t even express how lucky I am, it was a real honour to get that award,” she said.
Grimes has been swimming competitively for close to five years now and has her sights set on even bigger achievements in 2024 and beyond.
“This year I am trialling for the 2024 Olympics so that is really exciting,” she said.
“I am really pumped for that, that is in June but I will be trialling for the 2028 Olympics if I qualify for that as well, so hopefully I make the Australian team for that.”
Grimes will also take home a $2,000 reward which will help fund her future swimming endeavours.
“It will probably help my pay for accommodation, plane tickets if I need to go to Melbourne or Sydney and race suits as well,” she said.
Check out the full list of winners below:
Junior Sport Star of the Year: Mackenzie Grimes
Junior Sports Star of the Year runner-up: Bailey Harm
Senior Sports Star of the Year: Brielle Erbacher
Senior Sport Star of the Year runner-up: Tatum Stewart
Senior Rising Star: Sienna Deurloo
Senior Para Athlete of the Year: Belinda Slatter
Junior Para Athlete of the Year: Taylah Chapman
Junior Chase Your Dream Award: Zara Kruger
Senior Chase Your Dream Award: Jai Gordon
Senior School of the Year: Downlands College
Team of the Year: Toowoomba Open Men’s Hockey
Primary School of the Year: Fairview Heights State School
Umpire/Referee of the Year: Tameka Dyne
Junior Rising Star: Matthew Hawthorne
Coach of the Year: Jody Erbacher
Volunteer of the Year: Debbie Prouten
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