Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT

MACKAY COUNCIL ENCOURAGES NOMINATIONS TO SPORTING HALL OF FAME

By Sinead Porter

When you hear the term ‘dedicated to sport’, who in your life instantly springs to mind?

You can now recommend your top pick from the local community to Mackay Regional Council’s Sporting Hall of Fame.

This institution has been developed to recognise the region’s residents who have made outstanding achievements in their sport.

No matter your age or skill level, if you have made an impactful contribution to your sport, the Mackay Regional Council would love to hear about it!

Mayor Greg Williamson said the hall of fame wasn’t just for athletes, but also leaders, officials, support staff and coaches.

“With our state set to host the 2032 Olympics, we decided that now was the perfect time to highlight the Mackay region as a sporting powerhouse,” Mayor Williamson said.

“We have so many tremendous athletes, coaches, support staff and officials who have represented Queensland and Australia in various sports, as well as Olympians, Paralympians and Commonwealth Games representatives,” he said.

“Not only will the hall of fame provide recognition to those who have achieved great things in their sporting endeavours, it will also provide inspiration to up-and-coming sports people.

“It will allow them to identify their role models and show them that regional athletes can make it to the highest echelons in sport.”

Mayor Williams hopes to see the Sporting Hall of Fame showcase the ‘many amazing athletes our region produces’ and ‘attract more funding for development of our coaches, athletes, officials and sporting infrastructure.’

Successful nominations will receive a certificate from the Office of the Mayor and their name, photo and achievements will be displayed on the Mackay Sporting Hall of Fame website and other council media and facilities where appropriate.

Nominations for the hall of fame are now open and the form is available online at:

mackay.qld.gov.au/halloffame

Nominations will be accepted at any time, with applications considered on a quarterly basis.

Applicants are encouraged to read the eligibility criteria before submitting a nomination.

Mayor Greg Williamson with young athletes from the North Mackay Athletics Club during construction of the ARC

In other news