An international tennis champion, an emerging rugby 7s star and dedicated club officials are among those honoured in the 2024 Ipswich Sports Awards.
The awards, now in their 15th year, were presented on Wednesday 6 November at Ipswich Civic Centre.
Ipswich City Council Community and Sport Committee Chairperson Councillor Jacob Madsen said the awards recognised the depth of the city’s sporting talent, from club-level players and officials through to those competing on the world stage.
“The Ipswich Sports Awards recognise not only outstanding athletes but also those who support them on their path to success – the administrators, volunteers, officials and coaches,” Cr Madsen said.
The 2024 Ipswich Sports Awards winners are:
- Senior Sportsperson of the Year: Archie Graham – Tennis
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Rhani Hagan – Touch, Rugby 7s
- Masters Sportsperson of the Year: Christopher Davis – Para-archery
- Sporting Organisation of the Year: Ipswich Basketball Association
- Coach of the Year: Theresa Stolberg – Athletics
- Volunteer of the Year: Janis Price – Netball
- Team of the Year: Ipswich Force NBL1 Men’s Team – Basketball
- Official of the Year: Steve Rogers – Hockey
“There are so many inspiring stories of success and contribution among this year’s crop of winners,” Cr Madsen said.
“Archie Graham continues to build an impressive legacy, taking out his second Ipswich Sports Award as he continues to put our city on the tennis map as the world’s top men’s player for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
“Junior Sportsperson of the Year Rhani Hagan is an exciting emerging talent who at 18 has already represented Australia in the Rugby 7s and captained the Touch Indigenous team at the Pasifika Games, among a host of other achievements.
“Also recognised this year is Steve Rogers who did the Ipswich hockey community proud when he umpired at the Paris Games, including officiating the men’s hockey gold medal match.
“Sport at any level doesn’t happen without passionate people behind the scenes, be it in the canteens, marking out the fields or keeping clubs going.
“That’s why I’m so pleased to see Janis Price honoured as Volunteer of the Year.
“Janis has been a cornerstone of the Ipswich Netball Association since 1997 and was further recognised by the club with a Life Membership and award named in her honour.
“She has done it all, from coaching and umpiring to registrar and treasurer. No job has been too big or small for this amazing volunteer.
“On behalf of council and the Ipswich community, I congratulate all of the finalists and winners in this year’s awards.”