Cream of our crop in line for award
WORLD champions and Commonwealth Games gold medallists headline nominations for the Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year.
The 2018 recipient will come from a stellar list of 13 athletes and be announced at the annual black-tie event at Southport Sharks on Thursday, February 21.
Now in its 51st year, the awards night will celebrate the achievements of the city’s greatest athletes across a hugely successful year. Katrin Garfoot ....................... Cycling Dani Stevens ....................... Athletics Skye Nicolson ........................ Boxing Kelsey Cottrell ......................... Bowls Michael Shelley ................... Athletics Emma McKeon ................ Swimming Domonic Bedggood ............... Diving
Following gold medal performances at the Commonwealth Games, Katrin Garfoot, Dani Stevens, Skye Nicolson, Kelsey Cottrell, Michael Shelley, Emma McKeon and Domonic Bedggood have received nominations.
Equally as successful on the world stage, the other contenders are Stephanie Gilmore, Toby Price, Ali Day, Shakira Westdorp, Mat Belcher and Elizabeth Forsyth.
Gold Coast Sporting Hall Stephanie Gilmore ................ Surfing Toby Price ................... Motorcycling Ali Day ........................ Surf lifesaving Shakira Westdorp Stand Up Paddling Mat Belcher ............................ Sailing Elizabeth Forsyth
.............. Athletics and surf lifesaving of Fame chairwoman Daphne Pirie said the calibre of the finalists reflected the city’s position as a world-class sporting environment.
“The finalists for the Sports Star of the Year Award showcase what a truly spectacular year 2018 was for sport in this city,” she said.
“The awards celebrate the Gold Coast as a standout performer on the global sporting calendar, not only for the quality of athletes we produce, but as the host of numerous international events, and 2018 sets a new benchmark.
“We again boasted more than our fair share of world champions and stellar performers, but as hosts of the Commonwealth Games we showed that we genuinely love, understand and get involved in sport.”
Former Sports Star of the Year winner and Hall of Fame member, surfer Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, said the awards would again help spur local athletes on to international success.
“Last year’s event was a sensational lead into the Commonwealth Games and I believe this inspired our bravest and best to pursue global recognition in their respective sports and disciplines,” he said
This year the Sports Star Awards will also focus strongly on para-sport and grassroots participation. STAR Brisbane import Lamar Patterson has urged the Bullets to match the desperation of the Adelaide 36ers in today’s crucial NBL clash.
Both teams are going toeto-toe in Adelaide in the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot on the ladder.
The 36ers’ 102-96 win over Illawarra on Thursday improved their record to 10 wins and nine losses for the season.
“You go into every game knowing anything could happen,” Patterson said. “We know Adelaide is just right there with us.”