WHEN Ali Brigginshaw first ran onto a rugby league field for Norths Tigers as the only girl in the team, the nine-year-old could not have known she was beginning a journey that would help reshape the sport.
Now widely regarded as one of Ipswich’s most decorated sporting talents, Brigginshaw has added another significant honour, being named Citizen of the Year at the Ipswich Australia Day Awards tonight, in the same week she confirmed her retirement from State of Origin representative duties.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Brigginshaw was one of six award winners recognised for their significant contributions to the city, describing her as a powerful embodiment of Ipswich’s spirit and resilience.
“Ali embodies the spirit of Ipswich, never taking a backward step even from a very young age when she was tackling boys on rugby league fields across the city,” Mayor Harding said.
Brigginshaw’s decision to step away from the Origin arena last week brought the curtain down on one of the most influential representative careers in women’s rugby league history. As captain of Queensland and Australia, she led teams to State of Origin and World Cup titles, while also setting standards that reshaped expectations of leadership and professionalism in the women’s game.
Mayor Harding said Brigginshaw’s on-field record remains unmatched, spanning four NRLW premierships, a Dally M Medal and success at the highest levels of the sport.
“From making boys’ junior representative teams to winning four NRLW premierships, a Dally M medal and State of Origin and World Cup titles as Queensland and Australia captain, she has done it all in this great game,” she said.
Beyond her playing achievements, Mayor Harding said Brigginshaw’s legacy would be defined just as much by her work off the field.
“She has passionately worked to grow visibility of women and girls’ rugby league, inspiring younger generations to take up the sport, while also giving back to Ipswich through school mentoring and community outreach programs,” Mayor Harding said.
Brigginshaw’s Citizen of the Year award sits among a diverse group of 2026 Ipswich Australia Day Award recipients whose service spans community care, youth leadership, culture, sport and wellbeing.
Senior Citizen of the Year Elizabeth Gough was recognised for dedicating four decades to volunteering with Lifeline Queensland, supporting people through crisis, grief and mental health challenges.
Young Citizen of the Year Harrison Rule was honoured for exceptional community involvement while still at school, including charity fundraising, volunteering, homelessness support and youth leadership through Queensland Youth Parliament and council’s Ipswich Youth Advisory Council.
The Cultural Award was posthumously awarded to respected First Nations elder Aunty Vera Short, who passed away late last year after a lifetime devoted to improving outcomes for community members.
Sport and Recreation Award recipient CJ Mulvogue was recognised for her long-standing volunteer service with Collingwood Park Power AFC, where she has played a key role in growing girls’ and women’s participation, while Community Group of the Year Springfield Mo-Men were acknowledged for raising more than $500,000 to support men’s health and building strong partnerships across Ipswich.
While her representative career at Origin level may have come to an end, Brigginshaw’s influence on rugby league — and on the Ipswich community that shaped her — shows no sign of slowing, with her Citizen of the Year honour recognising a legacy that stretches well beyond the scoreboard.
