2023 Sports Star Award Winners Announced

It was a big night for Rockingham Swimming Club, which took out the Club of the Year Award as well as the new Club Governance Award. Rockingham Swimming Club President Leanne Andrews said the awards were a testament to the club’s effectiveness in and out of the pool, as well as the calibre of athletes at the club. 

“We have 166 swimmers ranging in age from 7 to 50. They key to our success has been a combination of our passionate and hardworking coaches, and dedicated volunteers who strive for excellence across all aspects of our club.”

The winner of the Keren Kim Ugle (Senior) Indigenous Sports Star of the Year Award was karate champion Allan David Redpath. Mr Redpath, who has nearly 20 years’ experience in the sport, said it was a proud moment to be the very first winner of this new award.  

“It means a lot. Just coming from that Indigenous background – that’s my people, that’s my culture. It’s a very proud moment and I also know the family that the award is based around,” he said.   

Mayor Deb Hamblin praised the winners and finalists on their sporting achievements. 

“Sport plays a vital role in creating a physically and mentally healthy community and these annual awards are a fabulous way to recognise the athletes, clubs and volunteers who excel in their respective sporting codes. 

As a City we have so many talented people thriving on the local, state, national and international sporting stage. There were 66 nominees for this year’s Sports Star Awards, and the City congratulates the winners on their outstanding achievements. 

The City gratefully acknowledges its sponsors for the 2023 Sports Star Awards including The Sound Telegraph, Rockingham F45 Training and Street Hassle Events. 

The full list of winners includes:

Club Governance Award

Rockingham Swimming Club

Club of the Year

Rockingham Swimming Club

Inclusion Event or Program of the Year

No Limits Netball – Rockingham Districts Netball Association

Keren Kim Ugle (Senior) Indigenous Sports Star of the Year

Allan David Redpath (Martial Arts - Karate)

John Brown Lifetime Achievement Memorial Award 

Alan Mills (Rockingham District Hockey Club)

Junior Sports Star of the Year

Ava Dolan (Taekwondo Oh Do Kwan)

Junior Volunteer of the Year

Megan Love (Baldivis Districts Football Club)

Masters Sports Star of the Year

Peter Traeger (Surf Life Saving)

Senior Sports Star of the Year

Bryony Soden (Muaythai/Thai Kickboxing)

Sports Star of the Year with a Disability

Imogen Peterson (Netball)

Team of the Year

Rockingham Flames NBL1 Men's team

Volunteer of the Year

Radmila Popovic (Port Kennedy Soccer Club)