Community Legends and Queensland Sporting Stars Celebrated at 2024 Queensland Sport Awards and Hall of Fame Induction

Paris Olympians, Paralympians, community legends and home-grown stars were celebrated this week at the 2024 Queensland Sport Awards, with six iconic names inducted to the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame and tennis great Pat Rafter OLY officially elevated to legend status.

Having been inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame 15 years ago, former world number one Pat Rafter, was awarded the highest honour able to be bestowed on a former athlete or coach in the state when he was named a ‘Legend of Queensland Sport' to thunderous applause.

“It does mean a lot to me… my name is now there forever now," said Rafter.

“As you play sport, these things [awards] aren’t on your mind, you’re just concentrating on what you’re doing to be the best you can be. And then these come along and it’s just icing on the cake. 

“Seeing the athletes in there tonight also being inducted into the Hall of Fame, it’s just incredible,” he said.

Queensland Rugby League star Paul Vautin was also recognised with his induction to the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame alongside Emilee Cherry OAM OLY (Rugby Union), Jim Atkins OAM (Horse Racing (NB: posthumously)), Shaun Hart (AFL), Mark Knowles OAM OLY (Hockey) and Darren Thrupp OAM PLY (Athletics).

Following outstanding results at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Kaylee McKeown OAM OLY (Swimming), Arisa Trew OLY (Skate) and Alexa Leary PLY (Swimming) were among those recognised for major awards.

After re-writing the record books at the Paris 2024 Olympics and being named Australia's most awarded Olympian alongside teammate and 2023 Queensland Sport Star of the Year, Mollie O’Callaghan OAM OLY, McKeown was awarded Channel 9 2024 Queensland Athlete of the Year. 

14-year-old Trew was named Channel 9 2024 Queensland Junior Athlete of the Year after becoming Australia’s youngest-ever Olympic gold medallist in Paris, winning the Women’s Park event.

The definition of determination, Leary took home three medals from the Paris Paralympic Games less than four years after a life changing accident that saw her spend more than 100 days in hospital.

"Winning tonight just makes me feel so proud and amazed at how far I've actually come," said Leary.

"After living in the hospital for six months and fighting for my life, I am just so proud.

"I was very focused in Paris - I was in it to win it. I was honestly so inspired by all the athletes too, so many people there had been told they 'never could', so to be there and see it was just amazing," she said.

The coveted 2024 Queensland Volunteer of the Year award was presented to the incredibly deserving Kimberly Doyle for her extensive work with the Special Olympics.

"To be recognised in front of so many amazing individuals was a bit surreal to be honest," said Doyle.

"To be here with so many other volunteers that do what they do for others, that's gold."

Premiership winning AFL coach Chris Fagan was also celebrated with a top honour, winning the Queensland Government 2024 Queensland Sport Coach of the Year for his efforts over the past 12 months.

“It was a surprise. Queensland sport had such a good year, particularly the Olympic athletes and the swimming… so I’m really proud of our footy club," said Fagan.

"It’s not a reflection on me, it’s our whole club… I know I’m the head coach but there are a lot of people who work hard to put our team out there. This [award] is a win for the Club is the way I see it.

“I’ve been the coach for eight years and you put a lot of hard work in, and it wasn’t just about that [Grand Final] day, it was about all the stuff we’ve done in the build up across those eight years," he said.

CEO of QSport, Tim Klar, says the 2024 event was a fantastic celebration of sport and community.

“QSport was incredibly proud to host the 2024 Queensland Sport Awards and Hall of Fame Induction and to celebrate the amazing achievements and contributions of athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and grassroots contributors at all levels of Queensland’s sporting community” said Klar.

“With it being an Olympic and Paralympic year, Queensland’s extraordinary talent was reflected across our award categories this year, with our winners and contenders all incredibly deserving of recognition.

“On behalf of QSport I extend my sincerest congratulations to all Awards recipients and also recognise and thank all award contenders for contributing so significantly and positively to the Queensland sporting community over the past 12 months and beyond,” he said.

QSport also extends our sincerest thanks to principal sponsor, the Queensland Government and major sponsors Channel 9, Health and Wellbeing Queensland, QUT Sport, Sports Accounting Australia, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
 

2024 Legend of Queensland Sport:
Pat Rafter OLY (Tennis)

2024 Queensland Sport Hall of Fame Inductees:
Paul Vautin (Rugby League)
Emilee Cherry OAM OLY (Rugby Union)
Jim Atkins OAM (Horse Racing (NB: posthumously))
Shaun Hart (AFL)
Mark Knowles OAM OLY (Hockey)
Darren Thrupp OAM PLY (Athletics)

2024 Queensland Sport Awards:
Channel 9 2024 Queensland Athlete of the Year - Kaylee McKeown OAM OLY (Swimming)
Queensland Government 2024 Queensland Para-athlete of the Year - Alexa Leary PLY (Swimming)
Channel 9 2024 Queensland Junior Athlete of the Year - Arisa Trew OLY (Skate)
Health and Wellbeing Queensland 2024 Queensland Sport Team of the Year - Australian Women's 4x200m Freestyle Relay Team (Swimming)
Sports Accounting Australia 2024 Queensland Junior Sport Team of the Year - Queensland Under 18 Girls Hockey Team (Hockey)
QUT Sport 2024 Queensland Sport Innovation of the Year - Cérge
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 2024 Queensland Sport Event of the Year - 2024 Brisbane International (Tennis)
2024 Queensland Volunteer of the Year - Kimberly Doyle (Special Olympics)
Queensland Government 2024 Service to Queensland Sport Award - Cheryl Jenkins (Tennis)
Queensland Government 2024 Service to Queensland Sport Award - Kate Guy (AFL)
Queensland Government 2024 Service to Queensland Sport Award - Ryan McDonald (Major Event Management)
Queensland Government 2024 Service to Queensland Sport Award - Graeme Watts (Equestrian)
Queensland Government 2024 Service to Queensland Sport Award - Nerida Bartlett (Netball)
Gallagher 2024 Queensland Sport Administrator of the Year - Trisha Squires (AFL)
Konica Minolta 2024 Queensland Sport Official of the Year - Steve Rogers (Hockey)
Queensland Government 2024 Queensland Sport Coach of the Year - Chris Fagan (AFL)