QLD Awards

2024 QLD Awards

Join us as we celebrate our Awards recipients and recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions our clubs, volunteers, coaches, technical officials, athletes and members make to triathlon and multisport.

2024 QLD Awards will be held on Sunday 7 July 2024 at the Garden Marquee, Victoria Park.

Nominations now closed.

Awards Categories

The following awards are presented annually at the QLD Awards function.

Professional Athlete of the Year

Male / Female

This Award recognises the athlete who attains the highest level of professional performance in Domestic WT Draft Legal and/or Professional Long Course Non-Drafting events. The winner of this Award must be a member. Public nominations are not required for these awards. Dependent on number of candidates this award can be given to a person of each gender or just one person for an “overall” award.

Paratriathlon/Multiclass Athlete of the Year

Male / Female

This Award recognises the athlete who attains the highest level of professional performance in the Paratriathlon or multiclass categories. The winner of this Award must be a member. Public nominations are not required for these awards. Dependent on number of candidates this award can be given to a person of each gender or just one person for an “overall” award. In smaller states this could also be combined with the professional athlete of the year award.

Youth/Junior Athlete of the Year

Male / Female

This Award recognises the athlete who attains the highest level of performance in Domestic Draft Legal Youth/Junior events. The winner of this Award must be a member. Public nominations are not required for these awards. Dependent on number of candidates this award can be given to a person in each age category (youth and junior) or just one person for an “overall youth/junior” award.

Club Initiative of the Year

This award recognises an affiliated club/squad who has made a significant contribution to triathlon during the season through the development of a program, event or activity that has increased ‘participants on the starting line’. Nominations are accepted from members. Clubs/squads may self-nominate for this Award.

The Athlete’s Athlete

This Award recognises the athlete who personifies the triathlon spirit, demonstrates good sportspersonship and consistently participates in events while inspiring others. The winner of this Award must be a member and a member of an affiliated Club/Squad. Nominations are accepted from Triathlon members for these awards.

Most Inspiring Performance

This award will highlight the most inspiring overall or one-off performance from an athlete over the previous racing season and is inclusive of all events, membership types and racing categories. The winner of this Award must be a member. Nominations are accepted from Triathlon members for this award.

Elite Coach of the Year

This Award recognises the Elite Coach whose athletes have the best performances at elite/professional level. Elite athletes include WT Junior & U23 athletes. The winner of this Award must be an accredited AusTriathlon Coach. Only performances of Australian athlete will be considered. Nominations are accepted from members. Coaches may self-nominate for this Award.

Junior Coach of the Year

This Award recognises a Coach who makes a significant contribution to the development of juniors in a healthy, fun, safe and competitive environment. The winner of this Award must be an accredited AusTriathlon Coach at an affiliated club/squad, who actively coaches across the three triathlon disciplines – swim, cycle and run. Nominations are accepted from members. Coaches may self-nominate for this Award. 

Coach of the Year

This Award recognises a Coach who creates a positive culture and training environment, where athletes are given the opportunity to develop skills and strive to achieve personal bests. The winner of this Award must be an accredited AusTriathlon Coach at an affiliated club/squad, who actively coaches across the three triathlon disciplines – swim, cycle and run. Nominations are accepted from members. Coaches may self-nominate for this Award.

Volunteer of the Year

This Award recognises a member who through their voluntary actions has made a significant and positive contribution to the sport of triathlon at any level. This person must not receive any tangible reward for their services. Nominations are accepted from members.

Technical Official of the Year

This Award recognises a Technical Official, who in the field of play, is seen by athletes, race directors and their peers as someone who has made a significant contribution to enhance the equality, fairness and safety of triathlon. This person demonstrates, through patience and communication, the skills of officiating appropriately to the level of event and participant. The winner of this Award must have officiated at a minimum of five events and be a member. Nominations are accepted from members.

State Championship Series Champion

This title is awarded to the male or female who accrues the most points in the Series.

State Championship Series Male/Female U/16 Champion

This title is awarded to the male & female athletes aged under 16 who accrue the highest points the Series.

State Championship Series Age Group Champion

This title is awarded to the male & female who accrue the highest points in each Age Group Category.

Hall of Fame and President's Special Recognition Award

Board Nominated and Awarded when relevant for the state.

Life Membership

As nominated and awarded at AGM.

Awards Criteria

Learn more about the State Awards in the QLD Awards Criteria.

  • To be eligible to receive an Award, the recipient must be an active AusTriathlon member for the 2023-24 season. Coaches must hold a valid AusTriathlon coach accreditation with scope relevant to the award.
  • Nominations can only be submitted via the online form.
  • Only complete nominations submitted prior to the closing date will be accepted.
  • Award recipients will be determined by the Awards Committee and their decision is final.
  • Winners will be announced online and presented at the annual Awards function.
  • We respect your privacy and all the information provided by the applicant will remain confidential.

Awards Recipients

2024 Awards Recipients

  • Professional Athlete of the Year (Female) – Ashleigh Gentle
  • Professional Athlete of the Year (Male) – Luke Willian
  • Paratriathlon/Multiclass Athlete of the Year (Female) – Grace Brimelow
  • Paratriathlon/Multiclass Athlete of the Year (Male) – Jack Howell
  • Junior Athlete of the Year (Female) – Aspen Anderson
  • Junior Athlete of the Year (Male) – Fletcher Medway
  • Athlete’s Athlete – Alison Jones
  • Most Inspiring Performance – Grace Brimelow
  • State Series Overall Series Winner - Phillip Hermitage
  • State Series Overall Age Group Male - Phillip Hermitage
  • State Series Overall Age Group Female - Marion Hermitage
  • Elite Coach of the Year – Dan Atkins
  • Junior Coach of the Year – Pete and Jacque McKenzie
  • Club Coach of the Year – Allison Cooke
  • Technical Official of the Year – Glenn Sadler
  • Volunteer of the Year – Stephanie Allen
  • Club Initiative of the Year – Whitsunday Triathlon Club

Hall of Fame

JACKIE FAIRWEATHER (NEE GALLAGHER)

Inducted 8 May 2009

Jackie Gallagher began competing in triathlon in 1992 and won the elite Australian National Series in her first season. In 1996 she became the ITU World Triathlon Champion, setting a championship record time of 1:50:52 in Cleveland, Ohio. She also won the World Duathlon Championships in 1996 to become the only person ever to win both world titles in the same year.

Gallagher won the World Duathlon Championships again in 1999, but narrowly missed repeating the double, finishing second to Loretta Harrop in the World Triathlon Championships in Monreal, Canada that year. Gallagher collected further World Championship silver medals in 1995 and 1997. In 1996 she and swimming superstar Susie O'Neill shared the Australian Sportswoman of the Year award. In 2001 Gallagher turned her focus to running, a move which proved to be very successful. At the Manchester Commonwealth Games, she won the bronze medal in the marathon.

Gallagher has a Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology. She was the inaugural head coach of the Australian Institute of Sport triathlon program from 2001-2005. The program was awarded the 2005 AIS Program of the Year.

Jackie has served as an Executive Board Member of the International Triathlon Union and worked as a senior sports consultant for High Performance Improvement at the Australian Sports' Commission.

LORETTA HARROP

Inducted 8 May 2009

Loretta Harrop started her sporting career as a swimmer and took up triathlon when she was 21 years old. She progressed quickly and was selected in the national team within a year, becoming a World Champion by the age of 24.

Harrop won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and also placed fifth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Loretta also competed in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. Other career highlights include winning gold at the 1999 Montreal ITU World Triathlon Championships and silver in Madeira in 2004 as well as twelve world cup victories. In 2004 she won the prestigious Life Time Fitness triathlon, a race where she competed against men for the sport's richest purse.

Harrop is now retired from professional competition, but is actively involved in triathlon. She now lives on the Gold Coast with her husband Brad, son Hayden and daughter Emmerson.

BRAD BEVEN

Inducted 8 May 2009

Brad 'The Croc' Beven has competed in triathlons since he was thirteen. His distinguished career has seen many highlights including:

  • The Prime Minister's award for services to sport
  • Nineteen World Cup Victories
  • An International Grand Prix Championship
  • Five Australian Championships
  • Seven Australian Grand Prix Championships
  • A World Indoor Championship
  • Beven also was a three time silver medallist at the ITU World Triathlon Championships and led the World Cup rankings for four consecutive years.

As a regional athlete, Beven is a keen advocate of regional sport development. He has been the ambassador for the WeetBix Kids 'Tryathlon' series, the Life Stream Mackay Triathlon and the Dirt n' Dust Festival. Brad continues to support and participate in triathlons. In August 2006 he was head coach for the ITU Triathlon Camp for junior athletes in Hungary.

Beven is now running a highly successful coaching business, engaging a new generation of athletes and ensuring that many short and long course Queensland athletes achieve their sporting goals.

MILES STEWART OAM

Inducted 8 May 2009

Miles Stewart made his first elite World Championship team in 1989, aged 18. At age 20, Stewart experienced one of the defining moments of his career, winning the ITU World Championships in his hometown, the Gold Coast. He remains the youngest triathlete to win an ITU elite World Championship. Stewart's other achievements include:

  • A World Indoor Championship
  • A World Cup Series
  • Eight ITU World Cups
  • The 1996 and 2000 Australian Championships
  • Australian Sports Medal 2001
  • Stewart is also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest triathlon time in the world.

Stewart was the first Australian home in the men's event at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, finishing sixth overall. He competed at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, finishing only three seconds behind the winner, to claim the silver medal for Australia. In 2004, Stewart's last year on the international circuit, he was selected in the Australian team for the 16th consecutive year - arguably a record unlikely to be broken.

In 2005, Stewart retired from the professional triathlon circuit. He remains actively involved in triathlon, sharing knowledge and experience with aspiring young athletes through training programs, giving back to the sport that kept him enthralled for nineteen years, including as a director for AusTriathlon (2011-2015), World Triathlon (2020 - current) and as AusTriathlon CEO from (2015 - 2022).

Life Members

Paul Binnie
Kevin Jones
Grahame Kruger
Alan Voss
Kevin Dellow
Wayne Wilson
Roy Hopper*
Greg Lebeter
Rob Eley - 2023
Wendy Downes - 2023

*deceased

Previous Awards

2023

Professional Male Athlete of the Year – Max Neumann

Professional Female Athlete of the Year – Ashleigh Gentle

Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Brad Course

Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Gabriella Jackson

Professional Male Para Triathlete of the Year – Nic Beveridge

Professional Female Para Triathlete of the Year – Maggie Sandals and Guide Felicity Cradick

Elite Coach of the Year – Dan Atkins

Junior Coach of the Year – Rina Hill

Club Coach of the Year – Toby Somerville

Male Club Athlete of the Year – Ambrose Killian

Female Club Athlete of the Year – Kim Bowling

Technical Official of the Year (SEQ) – Sue Boyd

Technical Official of the Year (Regional QLD) – Liz Coolee

Club Administrator of the Year (SEQ) – Leanne McGregor

Club Administrator of the Year (Regional QLD) – Colin Stollery

Volunteer of the Year (SEQ) – Kirsty Smith

Volunteer of the Year (Regional QLD) – John Platts

State Series Champion U16 Female - Harriet Bowen

State Series Champion U16 Male - Bowen Bamford

State Series Champion Age Group Male – Phil Davies

State Series Champion Age Group Female – Penny Ivory

State Series Champion Overall – Penny Ivory

2022

Professional Male Athlete of the Year – Mathew Hauser

Professional Female Athlete of the Year – Sarah Crowley

Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Toby Powers

Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Georgie Fredricks

Professional Male Para Triathlete of the Year – Gerrard Gosens

Professional Female Para Triathlete of the Year – Katie Kelly

Elite Coach of the Year – Warwick Dalziel

Junior Coach of the Year – Teresa Theaker

Club Coach of the Year – Des Gooda

Male Club Athlete of the Year – Phil Davies

Female Club Athlete of the Year – Penny Ivory

Technical Official of the Year (SEQ) – Amanda Loader

Technical Official of the Year (Regional QLD) – Casie Meikle

Club Administrator of the Year (SEQ) – Lisa Jones

Club Administrator of the Year (Regional QLD) – Sean Hampson

Volunteer of the Year (SEQ) – Sue Boyd

Volunteer of the Year (Regional QLD) – Stephanie Allen

President’s Award – Leary Family

State Series Champion U16 Female - Harriet Bowen

State Series Champion U16 Male - Bowen Bamford

State Series Champion Age Group Male – Phil Davies

State Series Champion Age Group Female – Penny Ivory

State Series Champion Overall – Penny Ivory

2021

Professional Male Athlete of the Year - Matthew Hauser

Professional Female Athlete of the Year - Jaz Hedgeland

Junior Elite Male Athlete of the Year - Jack Crome

Junior Elite Female Athlete of the Year – Kelsey Mitchell

Professional Male Para Triathlete of the Year - Nic Beveridge

Professional Female Para Triathlete of the Year - Katie Kelly

Club Female Athlete of the Year - Catharina Hamilton

Club Male Athlete of the Year - Toby Somerville

Elite Coach of the Year - Cameron Watt

Junior Coach of the Year - Jordan Curd

Club Coach of the Year - Rebecca Ungermann

Technical Official of the Year (Regional QLD) - Micheal Wise

Technical Official of the Year (SEQ) - Sue Boyd

Club Administrator of the Year (Regional QLD) - Sean Hampson

Club Administrator of the Year (SEQ) - Leanne McGregor

Volunteer of the Year (Regional QLD) - Mike Grams

Volunteer of the Year (SEQ) - Sarah Billingham

President’s Award - Craig Needham

Note: No State Series in 2020/21 due to Covid.

2020

Professional Male Athlete of the Year - Matthew Hauser

Professional Female Athlete of the Year - Sarah Crowley

Junior Elite Male Athlete of the Year - Matthew Moate

Junior Elite Female Athlete of the Year – Tara Sosinski

Professional Male Para Triathlete of the Year - Joshua Kassulke

Professional Female Para Triathlete of the Year - Katie Kelly

Age Group Female Athlete of the Year - Alexa Leary

Age Group Male Athlete of the Year - Calvin Franklin

Elite Coach of the Year - Dan Atkins

Junior Coach of the Year - Graham Fidler

Club Coach of the Year - Mark Gleeson

Technical Official of the Year (Regional QLD) - John Macgregor Skinner

Technical Official of the Year (SEQ) - Riaz Jannif

Club Administrator of the Year (Regional QLD) - Craig McCormack

Club Administrator of the Year (SEQ) - Darren Ryan

Volunteer of the Year (Regional QLD) - Carol McNaughton

Volunteer of the Year (SEQ) - Peta Jurd

President’s Award - Rob Eley

State Series Champion U16 Female - Stella Kay and Grace Miotto

State Series Champion U16 Male – Bayley Holmstrom

State Series Champion Age Group Male – Allan Bieber

State Series Champion Age Group Female – Marion Hermitage

State Series Champion Overall – Allan Bieber

2019

Professional Male Athlete of the Year - Luke Willian

Professional Female Athlete of the Year - Ashleigh Gentle

Junior Elite Male Athlete of the Year - Luke Harvey

Junior Elite Female Athlete of the Year – Richelle Hill

Professional Male Para Triathlete of the Year - Joshua Kassulke

Professional Female Para Triathlete of the Year - Katie Kelly

Age Group Female Athlete of the Year - Madison Turner

Age Group Male Athlete of the Year - Brent Cue

Elite Coach of the Year - Dan Atkins

Junior Coach of the Year - Dan Atkins

Club Coach of the Year - Des Gooda

Technical Official of the Year (Regional QLD) - Tony Nolan

Technical Official of the Year (SEQ) - Sue Boyd

Club Administrator of the Year (Regional QLD) - Leonie Brassey

Club Administrator of the Year (SEQ) - Nicola Glasper

Volunteer of the Year (Regional QLD) - Mick Grey

Volunteer of the Year (SEQ) - Emma Mourilyan

President’s Award -

State Series Champion Age Group Male – Damien Jeffrey

State Series Champion Age Group Female – Madison Turner

State Series Champion Overall – Damien Jeffrey

2018

Professional Male Athlete of the Year - Matthew Hauser

Professional Female Athlete of the Year - Sarah Crowley

Junior Elite Male Athlete of the Year - Nicholas Free

Junior Elite Female Athlete of the Year – Romy Wolstencroft

Professional Para Triathlete of the Year - Bill Chaffey

Age Group Female Athlete of the Year - Madi Roberts

Age Group Male Athlete of the Year - Rowland Cook

Elite Coach of the Year - Dan Atkins

Junior Coach of the Year - Ben Luscombe

Club Coach of the Year - Teresa Theaker

Technical Official of the Year (Regional QLD) - Lynton Bowen

Technical Official of the Year (SEQ) - Kelly Bennett-Allen

Club Administrator of the Year (Regional QLD) - Craig McCormack

Club Administrator of the Year (SEQ) - Sean Lever

Volunteer of the Year (Regional QLD) - Jenni Bailey

Volunteer of the Year (SEQ) - Mark Corcoran

President’s Award - Noel Phillips

State Series Champion U16 Female - Ashley Plane

State Series Champion U16 Male – Jackson Medway

State Series Champion Age Group Male – Phil Davies

State Series Champion Age Group Female – Cath Rogers

State Series Champion Overall – Phil Davies

2017

Professional Male Athlete of the Year - Drew Box

Professional Female Athlete of the Year - Emma Jackson

Professional Para Triathlete of the Year - Bill Chaffey

Junior Elite Male Athlete of the Year - Matthew Hauser

Junior Elite Female Athlete of the Year - Joanne Miller

Age Group Male Athlete of the Year - Damien Bulters

Age Group Female Athlete of the Year - Jenny Alcorn

Elite Coach of the Year - Stephen Moss

Junior Coach of the Year - Rina Hill

Club Coach of the Year - David Tabernacle

Club Administrator of the Year (Regional QLD) - Michelle Ball

Club Administrator of the Year (SEQ) - Tim Rook

Technical Official of the Year (Regional QLD) - Greg Hoff

Technical Official of the Year (SEQ) - Sue Fairweather

Volunteer of the Year (Regional QLD) - Eli Brighton

Volunteer of the Year (SEQ) - Greg Thirkill

President's Award - jointly awarded to - Grace & Isabella Derriman; Kye & Pia Kanemura

State Series Champion U16 Female - Jade Hennessy

State Series Champion U16 Male – Fletcher Medway

State Series Champion Age Group Male – Luke Harvey

State Series Champion Age Group Female – Marion Hermitage

State Series Champion Overall – Luke Harvey

2016

Professional Male Athlete of the Year - Ryan Fisher

Professional Female Athlete of the Year - Liz Blatchford

Professional Para Triathlete of the Year - Bill Chaffey

Junior Elite Male Athlete of the Year - Matthew Hauser

Junior Elite Female Athlete of the Year - Sophie Malowiecki

Age Group Male Athlete of the Year - Stephen Parnell

Age Group Female Athlete of the Year – Ana Oertel

Elite Coach of the Year - Stephen Moss

Junior Coach of the Year - Teresa Theaker

Club Coach of the Year (SEQ) - Toby Somerville

Club Administrator of the Year (Regional QLD) - Graham Pemberton

Club Administrator of the Year - Sandy Azzopardi

Technical Official of the Year (Regional QLD) - David Sterritt

Technical Official of the Year (SEQ) - Sue Fairweather-Brown

State Series Champion U16 Female - Finnlea Barlow

State Series Champion U16 Male – Jackson Medway

State Series Champion Age Group Male – Mark Bristow

State Series Champion Age Group Female – Marion Hermitage

State Series Champion Overall – Marion Hermitage