LAST week marked two celebrations for the future generations of sport produced from our talent-rich nursery throughout Ipswich.
The achievements of Ipswich sports stars from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the national schoolgirls rugby league competition were celebrated in two civic events.
Swimmer Ella Ramsay won silver in the 4 x 100m medley relay before her first Olympics campaign was cut short due to her being struck down with Covid-19.
The 20-year-old told Local Ipswich News that it was still sinking in, but the reaction from her home town of Ipswich had really meant something to her and the teammates.
“It’s still a pretty surreal experience,” she said.
“I’m obviously a bit upset with how it got cut short, but it was a great team to be around and a great learning experience.”
Ella has her eyes set on the LA Olympics in 2028 followed by a shot at the Brisbane Games four years after, with her hunger for more medal glory only growing.
“There’s still a lot more I want to do in the sport,” she said.
“I think a home Games would be something out of this world.”
The Ipswich State High School girls’ rugby league team’s trifecta of the 2024 NRL National Schoolgirls Cup title, the NRL Schoolgirls Queensland Trophy and the Titans Schoolgirl Cup were marked at a ceremony on Tuesday, followed by a community celebration for the city’s stars of the Paris 2024 Games on Friday.
“Ipswich State High School’s rugby league success continues to reinforce Ipswich’s reputation as the home of young NRLW and NRL talent,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said.
“Ipswich’s Olympians Mollie O’Callaghan and Ella Ramsay and Paralympians Taymon Kenton-Smith and Poppy Wilson have not only achieved personal greatness, but they have also brought pride to our community.
“I want their stories to inspire residents and the next generation of aspiring Olympians and Paralympians as we inch closer to Brisbane 2032.”
Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said the two events capped off a season of sporting success for Ipswich and gave residents the chance to celebrate.
Cr Augustine said she saw tremendous value in holding the event to honour our athletes and show them the council and the community supported them.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” Cr Augustine said.
“Celebrating our Ipswich Olympians and Paralympians success with a public event does more than just mark their accomplishments, it also inspires our community and helps to bring us closer together.
“This celebration provides the opportunity for the community to meet their Olympic and Paralympic heroes and have something signed or to get their photo taken with them.”
She said it was important to celebrate the achievements of the homegrown sporting talent.
