IPSWICH’S sporting elite were centre stage last week as the city celebrated its best and brightest at the 2025 Ipswich Sports Awards – and it was a night of records, rookies and remarkable dedication.
Athletics prodigy Gout Gout and his long-time coach Diane Sheppard were among the stars of the show, recognised for their extraordinary achievements on and off the track.
The unstoppable duo has turned heads nationally, with Gout’s record-breaking performances rewriting the Australian athletics story and Sheppard guiding the next generation of sprinters from the Ipswich Grammar School lanes.
It was also a big night for NRLW sensation Shalom Sauaso, whose breakout season with the Brisbane Broncos saw her crowned Senior Sportsperson of the Year.
Sauaso’s premiership-winning debut and NRLW Rookie of the Year honours have inspired a new wave of young girls in Ipswich to lace up their boots and chase their sporting dreams.
The 16th annual awards, hosted at the Ipswich Civic Centre, recognised a wide range of talent – from junior athletes and masters competitors to the volunteers and coaches who keep local sport alive.
Ipswich City Council Community and Sport Committee Chair Cr Jacob Madsen said the awards were a celebration of both talent and tenacity.
“The Ipswich Sports Awards are about honouring not only our star athletes, but those who work tirelessly to keep sporting clubs running,” he said.
“Athletes, coaches, volunteers and administrators continue to proudly represent Ipswich on the state, national and world stage.”
Among the other winners were swimming powerhouse Rob Chrzescijanski, who took out Masters Sportsperson of the Year after smashing three national records at age 40, and Amanda Bedford, named Official of the Year for her work in swimming.
The Ipswich Grammar Swimming Club was crowned Sporting Organisation of the Year, while CJ Mulvogue’s boundless commitment to Collingwood Park Power AFC earned her Volunteer of the Year honours.
The U14 Ipswich Force Girls Basketball Team was named Team of the Year for a stellar season.
Cr Madsen praised the “incredible depth” of sporting talent across the city.
“Every winner and finalist brings something unique to our community. From Gout’s lightning-fast records to Rob’s comeback in the pool, and CJ’s dedication on the sidelines.”
As the applause echoed through the Civic Centre, one thing was clear – Ipswich’s sporting spirit has never been stronger as we count down to Brisbane Games 2032.
