Queensland’s touch football community were recognised for their achievements and contributions at the Queensland Touch Football (QTF) Awards.
For the first time since 2014, members came together on the Gold Coast for QTF’s night of nights to celebrate and showcase excellence across 17 award categories covering players, coaches, officials, schools and volunteers.
Queensland Touch Football CEO Greg Denny said: “The Queensland Touch Football Awards celebrate the achievements of our fantastic volunteers, coaches, officials, administrators, organisations, teams and athletes.
“We strive in all we do to provide fun, memorable, and inclusive experiences through our great sport.
“The Awards provide an excellent platform for us to reflect on the last 12 months, celebrate our members and look forward to continuing to work together to unite, inspire and grow our touch football community
“On behalf of Queensland Touch Football I wish to congratulate all our Award winners as well as the finalists from across the state,” he said.
Melissa Lonergan from Hounds Graceville took out the prestigious Volunteer of the Year. Hounds Graceville Touch Association and Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association were awarded Small/Medium Affiliate of the Year and Large Affiliate of the Year respectively.
Caboolture Touch Association claimed top gongs in the Player of the Year categories, with Catherine Sargent named Female Player of the Year and Drew Price named Male Player of the Year.
“This award means a lot to me, there’s so many amazing players in this game and for me to win this award is just incredible,” Sargent said.
“I’m super grateful to be here, and super grateful to have been named the Female Player of the Year for 2022,” she said.
“What an honour it is to receive the Queensland Open Men’s Player of the Year award,” Price said.
“Growing up I was always privileged with some of the best coaches, mentors, teachers and parents that set me up for success.
“This award is a direct reflection of a lot of people’s hard work and time invested in me, so thank you,” he said.
After leading the Queensland Women’s Open team to victory at the 2022 Touch Football State of Origin Series, Renee Murphy was crowned Elite Coach of the Year.
“Being an elite coach is less about coaching, and more about connecting with the players that are in your team
“And that’s why I coach, it’s because of the relationships and connections you make along the way,” she said.
Congratulations to our 2022 Queensland Touch Football Award Winners.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Melissa Lonergan
Hounds Graceville Touch Association
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Mitch Alexander
Palm Beach Touch Association
LARGE AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR
Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association
SMALL/MEDIUM AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR
Hounds Graceville Touch Association
JUNIOR AFFILIATE COACH OF THE YEAR
Tim Gall
Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association
AFFILIATE COACH OF THE YEAR
Renee Murphy
UQ Rebels Touch Football Association
ELITE COACH OF THE YEAR
Renee Murphy
UQ Rebels Touch Football Association
JUNIOR REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Ella Grant
Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association
RICK BORG REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Brett Freshwater
Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association
COMMUNITY PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Chinchilla Fast 4s
Chinchilla Touch Association
TOUCH FOOTBALL SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
All Hallows’ School
INCLUSION IN TOUCH FOOTBALL
UQ Rebels Touch Football Association
JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE TEAM OF THE YEAR
SWQ Swans 16 Boys
2022 National Youth Championships
REPRESENTATIVE TEAM OF THE YEAR
SQBD Sharks Women’s Open
2022 National Touch League
OPEN MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Drew Price
Caboolture Touch Football Association
OPEN FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Catherine Sargent
Caboolture Touch Football Association
SENIOR MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Aaron Jones
Gold Coast Touch Association
SENIOR FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Marlie Phillips
Palm Beach Touch Association
JUNIOR MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jai Charlton
Gold Coast Touch Association
JUNIOR FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Madeline Mathews
Townsville Touch Football Association
EVENING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
QTF SERVICE AWARD – Terry McSweeney
JSC KERRY NORMAN AWARD – Sierrah Dawson
JSC SCOTT NOTLEY AWARD – Jay Scofield
