North Queensland Sports Foundation

As we count down to the 2026 North Queensland Sportstar Awards in Cairns this October, we're taking a trip down memory lane! 🌴✨

Today's flashback takes us to the beautiful Whitsundays, which proudly hosted the Awards in 2017. The evening featured Olympic gold medallist Tracey Belbin as the special guest, making it a memorable celebration of North Queensland's outstanding sporting achievements.

Every host region has played a special part in the Sportstar Awards journey, bringing communities together to recognise the people who inspire us through sport.

Now, it's almost Cairns' turn to shine as we prepare to celebrate North Queensland's sporting stars once again this October. Stay tuned as we continue looking back at the unforgettable moments and host destinations that have shaped the history of the North Queensland Sportstar Awards. 🏆

🏆 Celebrating our past winners.

The Team Sportstars Award recognises a junior or senior sporting teams that have demonstrated outstanding achievements and teamwork.

The Para Athlete of the Year Award recognises outstanding sporting individuals with a physical, intellectual or other recognised disability.

Swipe through to look back at some of our previous recipients. ➡️

Team Sportstars Award
• 2025 – U18 Mackay Metorettes, Mackay Region
• 2024 – QLD U19 Underwater Hockey, Cairns Region
• 2023 – Mackay Rowing Club, Mackay Region
• 2022 – AUS CROCS, Cairns Region

Para Athlete of the Year Award
• 2025 – Dale Potter, Mackay Region
• 2024 – Grant (Scooter) Patterson, Cairns Region
• 2023 – Samuel Le Feuvre, Charters Towers Region
• 2022 – Benjamin Wenzel, Cairns Region

Every achievement tells a story. Who will be recognised in 2026? 🏆

Meet Uwezo Lubenda, NQ Junior Sportstar of the Year in 2025.

✨ A dream born from courage.
After fleeing the Congo War as a child and building a new life in Australia, Uwezo Lubenda found his passion on the athletics track.

Now chasing an Olympic dream as a sprinter, Uwezo’s dedication and determination saw him crowned 2025 Junior Sportstar of the Year. 🏆

A true example of what is possible when talent meets resilience.

Stories like Uwezo’s deserve to be celebrated and they start with a nomination.

🏆 Nominate a sporting legend in your region for the 2026 North Queensland Sportstar Awards and help bring inspiring stories like this to life. Link in our bio.

🏆 Celebrating our past winners.

The Sporting Excellence Award recognises a single unique, inspiring or memorable sporting accomplishment that may not fit within standard award categories.

The Rural & Remote Sportstar Award recognises outstanding sporting individuals from outside of Cairns, Townsville or Mackay.

Swipe through to look back at some of our previous recipients. ➡️

✨Rural & Remote Award
• 2025 – Cade Ferguson, Cloncurry Shire
• 2024 – Cade Ferguson, Cloncurry Shire
• 2023 – James Lowe, Charters Towers
• 2022 – Cade Ferguson, Cloncurry Shire

✨Sporting Excellence Award
• 2025 – Karin Thorburn, Townsville City
• 2024 – Matthew Fox, Cairns Region
• 2023 – Grace Grandcourt, Mareeba Shire
• 2022 – Connor Parish, Mackay Region

Who will join this list in 2026? Stay tuned as we celebrate another year of sporting excellence 👏

🏆 Nominations are OPEN! 🏆

Every champion has a story. Every community has a sporting legend.

Now is your chance to recognise the athletes, coaches, teams, officials and volunteers who go above and beyond for sport across North Queensland.

✨ Nominate a sporting legend in your region and help celebrate the people who inspire us all.

Nominations for the 2026 North Queensland Sportstar Awards are now open. Click on the link in our bio now!

Who will be recognised this year? 👀

Huge Congratulations to Townsville's Tori West on achieving her first International Podium this morning at her Commonwealth Games debut! 💚💛

A Fight To The Line For Bronze 🥉🇦🇺

Tori West claims bronze in the Heptathlon with 6104 points, securing her first international medal on her Commonwealth Games debut, producing two bigs PBs in the 800m and Long Jump in a standout all-round performance over two days in Scotland 💚💛

The stage is set. 🏆✨

The 2026 North Queensland Sportstar Awards are heading to the iconic Tanks Arts Centre this October.

For the first time, the awards are heading to Cairns, bringing North Queensland's celebration of sporting excellence to the Far North.

Nestled amongst the rainforest, this unique venue will provide the backdrop for an evening dedicated to recognising the athletes, coaches, teams and volunteers who continue to shape North Queensland sport.

Here's a glimpse of where the celebrations begin. We can't wait to welcome you. 👋

Who’s Next? - Townsville Athletes on the World Stage 🌟

You might have seen former NQSF Award winners Sienna Monteith and Uwezo Lubenda in the media this week as they prepare for their international campaigns.

Sienna (2024) and Uwezo (2025) were both named our NQ Junior Sportstar of the Year, each receiving a $10,000 Team Townsville scholarship, proudly supported by Townsville City Council, The Aussie Athlete Fund and the North Queensland Sports Foundation.

Who’s next? You can help decide.

Nominations for our 2026 Awards open next week! Follow us here and on Instagram (), or join our mailing list to find out how to nominate, how to win, and how to be part of the celebration.

Townsville City Council Aussie Athlete Fund