On Friday December 2, JCUSA Sport & Recreation hosted their 2022 JCUSA Sport Blues Awards which recognises outstanding sporting achievements from JCU Students throughout 2022.
Blues Awards are broken into two groups – Blue & Half Blue.
- Blue – Students who have participated at a state or national level with distinction.
- Half Blue – Students who have participated at a high level with distinction including local or state.
In total 20 students received awards including 12 students who receive a half-blue and 8 who received a full Blue.
In addition to these awards, JCUSA Sport & Recreation also handed out the JCU Spirit of Sport Award which recognizes the commitment and involvement in our programs, Small Club of the Year, Club of the Year, Team of the Year and JCUSA Sportsperson of the Year.
Here are the following award recipients:
JCUSA Sportsperson of the Year – Jake Doran: Athletics
The Bachelor of Business and 2021 Blue recipient had a big year on the track. Jake was the 100m champion at the Australian Athletics Championships running a 10.05 seconds. Jake was the Oceania Athletics Championships champion in the 100m running a 10.19 seconds in the final which is also a meeting record for the event. Jake was also selected for the Australian team that competed at the World Athletics Championships in the 100m and also represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham where he made semi-finals of 100m and was also selected for the 200m and 4x100m relay. Jake also was a silver medalist in 200m at the Australian Athletics Championship.
Blue Award Recipient – Georgia Astbury: Ultimate Disc
Georgia is currently studying a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at JCU. Georgia had great success in ultimate disc in 2022. In July, Georgia was selected for the Queensland U22 Ultimate side that competed at the Australian U22 Ultimate Championships where the team finished 2nd. Georgia was then selected in the Australian U20 Ultimate team that competed in the U20 Women’s Tri Series in New Zealand competing against New Zealand and Japan. Georgia also competed in the Australian Mixed Open Ultimate Championships. When Georgia is not representing her state or country, she is part of Townsville Ultimate Disc organizes and runs the local Townsville competition.
Blue Award Recipient – Jascha Coetser: Athletics
Georgia is currently studying a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at JCU. Georgia had great success in ultimate disc in 2022. In July, Georgia was selected for the Queensland U22 Ultimate side that competed at the Australian U22 Ultimate Championships where the team finished 2nd. Georgia was then selected in the Australian U20 Ultimate team that competed in the U20 Women’s Tri Series in New Zealand competing against New Zealand and Japan. Georgia also competed in the Australian Mixed Open Ultimate Championships. When Georgia is not representing her state or country, she is part of Townsville Ultimate Disc organizes and runs the local Townsville competition.
Blue Award Recipient – Irish Espanola: Volleyball
Irish is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing Science at JCU. Irish competed with the Northern Monsoons Indoor Volleyball side at the Senior Queensland State Championships where the team placed second in the Division 1A competition. This team also came first at the Queensland Country Championships, the NQ Games and the Townsville Classic competition. Irish also competed throughout various beach volleyball competitions winning gold at the North Queensland Games, Mackay & Townsville Great Barrier Reef Challenges and bronze in the Queensland Beach Volleyball Tour. Irish also represented JCU at UniSport Nationals in women’s pair’s beach volleyball with Shannon Wong where they won the Gold Medal claiming JCUs first gold medal since 2019.
Blue Award Recipient – Keziah Furnell: Ninja
Keziah is currently studying a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with honours and a Beach of Information Technology at JCU. In the sport of Ninja, Keziah placed 2nd at the Ninja Challenge League National Finals in which it was her debut season on the national circuit. Keziah also placed 2nd at the Centenary Playground and Fitness Competition. Her performances in 2022 has earned her qualification to compete at the 2023 Australian Ninja Games National Finals in January 2023 and has also qualified for the National Ninja League World Championships to held in 2023. Keziah was also one of 200 people be selected to compete for Season 6 of Australia Ninja Warrior.
Blue Award Recipient – Montanna McAvoy: Mountain/Trial Running
Montanna is currently studying a Bachelor of Art and Business Majoring in Politics/International Relations and Management at JCU. Montanna represented Australia at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held in Thailand. Montanna competed in two events with the Uphill circuit where she finished 49th and the Uphill/Downhill event where she finished 42nd. Montanna also competed in various trail runs throughout the year as she was the first female to finish the Castle Hill Trail Race, Elliot’s Revenge Trail Race and The Great Pyramid Race. Montanna would also finish 1st as a female and 2nd overall at the Rock and Reef Trail Race, 1st female and 3rd overall at the Whitsunday Trail Festival, and 1st female and 4th overall at both the Cairns to Port Douglas Trail Race, AIMS Trail Race and Two Bay’s Trail Race.
Blue Award Recipient – Adam Reynolds: Fencing
Adam is an online student who is currently studying a Masters of Data Science at JCU. Adam competed at various events throughout the year including competing in the National Circuit in the Age Foil category where he won gold in the Round 3 competition as well as winning silver at the Australian Master Games in Foil. Adam also competed internationally where he won Gold at the New Zealand Age Foil Championships, Gold at the 2022 Oceania Open Team Foil Championships and was Australia’s sole representative at the 2022 European Veterans Championship Circuit in July where he finished 13th in the foil category. Adam has also qualified to compete at the 2023 World Veterans Championships in both the Foil and Epee categories. Adam also represented JCU at UniSport Nationals held in Perth where he finished 5th in the foil competition and made the round of 16 of the epee event.
Blue Award Recipient – Scott Whitehead: Kitefoil Sailing
Scott is studying a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. Scott represented Australia at the Formula Kite World Championships in Italy where he finished in 32nd position. Scott also competed at the Formula Kite Europeans event held in Greece where he finished 26th overall however he finished first in the Silver Fleet Competition, 32nd in the Hempel World Cup Series, 4th at the Australian Kite Foil National Championships and was 1st at the Queensland Kitefoil Championships. As of November 1 2022, Scott is now ranked 53rd in the world.
Blue Award Recipient – Shannon Wong: Volleyball
Shannon is currently studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at JCU. After receiving a Half-Blue in 2021, Shannon has since elevated her performances to another level in 2022. Shannon competed with the Northern Monsoons Indoor Volleyball side at the Senior Queensland State Championships where the team placed second in the Division 1A competition. This team also came first at the Queensland Country Championships, the NQ Games and the Townsville Classic competition. Shannon also competed throughout various beach volleyball competitions winning gold at the North Queensland Games, Mackay & Townsville Great Barrier Reef Challenges and bronze in the Queensland Beach Volleyball Tour. Shannon also represented JCU at UniSport Nationals in women’s pair’s beach volleyball with Irish Espanola where they won the Gold Medal claiming JCUs first gold medal since 2019.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Amity Bugeja: Netball
Amity is currently studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at JCU. In 2022, Amity was part of the Northern Rays netball team in the HART Sapphire Series where they made the Semi-Finals. Amity also found great success in the Townsville competition as well as she was named both Townsville City Netball Association Senior Netballer of the Year and Senior Netball Player of the Year. Amity also represented JCU at UniSport Nationals where the team won bronze at the Division 2 competition and was part of the JCU netball teams that competed in this year JCU Uni v Army event. Finally, Amity was heavily involved in officiating with as she helped officiate both the Winna Shield and Interfaculty Sporting competitions here on campus as well as umpiring the Division 1 Grand Final for the Queensland Independent Secondary School Netball competition.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Luke Calleja: Volleyball
Luke is currently studying a Bachelor of Pharmacy at JCU. Luke competed in various events throughout 2022 including winning Gold at the North Queensland Games where he was also named Most Valuable Player and Gold at the Townsville Classic and Gold at the Queensland Country Championships in the Division 1 competition. Luke also competed in various beach volleyball competitions throughout the year including the 2021/22 Queensland Beach Volleyball Tour, the Great Barrier Reef Tour and for JCU at UniSport Nationals in men’s pair where he and Benson Emery finished fourth at the competition. Luke is also Vice-President of the JCU Townsville Beach Volleyball Club and was the men’s coach for the U18 Volleyball Queensland Beach Volleyball State team.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Georgia Chambers: Triathlon
Georgia is currently studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at JCU. As a triathlete, Georgia competed in the NQ Games where she was the Female Triathlon Champion. Georgia also competed in the Mike Carney Triathlon Series where she was 1st in the Female age bracket of 15-19 years and was the Townsville Triathlon Festival Sprint Distance Champion in the women’s event. Georgia also represented JCU as part of the JCUSA Sport Nationals Representation Program at the UniSport Nationals Athletics event where she finished 4th place in the 5000m event and 11th in the 1500m event. Georgia also participated in Winna Shield Athletics and Cross Country as well which included a 2nd place finish in the Cross Country event.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Emma Dixon: Hockey
Emma is currently studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at JCU. In the sport of Hockey, Emma represented the Townsville Open women’s hockey team at the State Championships with her performances at that competition saw her be named a shadow player for the QLD Country Open Women’s team an achievement difficult for players outside South East Queensland. Emma was also Best & Fairest for Brothers Hockey Club for the women’s team in the local Townsville Hockey Competition. Outside of competing, Emma also coached the Brothers U13 Division 1 team who would go onto become premiers and has also coached at various development sessions passing on valuable knowledge to the next generation of hockey players.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Thomas Duffy: Rugby League
Thomas is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering at JCU. Thomas in 2022 competed for the Townsville Blackhawks U21 team that competes in the Hastings Deering Colts U21 competition. Thomas was a key player for the Blackhawks helping them win the Grand Final. Thomas was named Player’s Player at the Townsville Blackhawks end of season awards night. Thomas in 2022 was also named part of the extended Queensland U19 squad before being selected as part of the final squad that competed in the U19 Queensland State of Origin team against New South Wales where he was halfback in the clash.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Benson Emery: Volleyball
Benson is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering at JCU. Benson competed in the North Queensland Games where his team won Gold as well as winning Gold at Townsville Classic where he was also named Most Valuable Player and Gold at the Queensland Country Championships in the Division 1 competition. Benson also made the U19 Queensland Shadow team this year. Benson also competed in various beach volleyball competitions throughout the year including the 2021/22 Queensland Beach Volleyball Tour, the Great Barrier Reef Tour, North Queensland Games and for JCU at UniSport Nationals in men’s pair where he and Luke Calleja finished fourth at the competition. Benson was also part of the JCU Mixed Netball team that won the inaugural match against the Army in the JCU Uni v Army event.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Caitlin Herd: Basketball
Caitlin is currently studying a Masters of Marine Biology at JCU. Caitlin has officiated a large number of competitions and events in 2022. Caitlin officiated 25 games across both the women’s and men’s NBL1 North competition this season, officiated a medal at the U18 Basketball Queensland State Championships, was selected by Basketball Queensland to officiated at the Australian School Championships and was the Grand Final referee for Basketball Queensland at the U21 Queensland Junior competition. This is on the back of officiating the Queensland State League finals and U16 Australian Junior Basketball Championships in 2021.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Olivia Lindsay: Volleyball
Olivia is currently studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at JCU. Olivia competed with the Northern Monsoons Indoor Volleyball side at the Senior Queensland State Championships where the team placed second in the Division 1A competition. This team also came first at the Queensland Country Championships, the NQ Games and the Townsville Classic competition. Olivia was also selected for the Queensland U23 side that competed at the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships where they competed against all states and territories as well as international teams from the United States and New Zealand. Olivia also competed in Beach Volleyball competing in the 2021/22 State Tour, the Queensland Open, the NQ Games and the Great Barrier Reef Challenge.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Declan Marchioni: Rugby Union
Declan is currently studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at JCU. Declan was selected in Townsville Brolgas side that played against FNQ Rugby in Cairns. From the match, Declan was selected to play for the North Queensland Side that competed against Central Queensland and South Queensland in the State Country Championships. Declan was then invited to play for the Queensland Outback Barbarians Invitational side that competed in the Australian Rugby Shield in September. Declan was also named Best Back and Players Player for his local club North Ward and was part of the JCU side that competed against the Army for the JCU Chancellor’s Cup.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Maverick Pegoraro: Rugby League
Maverick is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering at JCU. In 2022, Maverick was selected for the Queensland Universities Rugby League side that competed against NSW with Queensland winning the game 34-16. Maverick was the only representative from JCU in the side. From that game, Maverick was selected to be part of the Australian University Rugby League side that competed Affiliates Cup Quad Series against the Australian Police Rugby League, Australian Military Defence Rugby League and a Combined Defence side with the Australian University side winning the event.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Cody Tomkins: Water Polo
Cody is currently studying a Bachelor of Dental Surgery at JCU in Cairns. Cody competed in the Queensland Countries competition at the beginning of this year where his team finished 3rd. Cody also competed in the NQ Games where he side finished 2nd at the event. Cody’s performances in these competitions earned him selection into the Bushrangers side that compete in the QLD Premier League competition which the team is made up of players from Cairns through to the Sunshine Coast. When Cody is not competing in water polo, he can be seen participating in a variety of sporting programs and activities held on the JCU Cairns Campus including Interfaculty Sport, Gunyarra Cup and the MIPS Cup.
Half-Blue Award Recipient – Reilly Williams: Rowing
Reilly is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce at JCU. In 2022, Reilly competed at the Australian Rowing Championship in Lake Nagambie, Victoria where he was able to claim bronze medals in the U21 Men’s Lightweight Single Scull competition as well as the Club Men’s Double Scull competing for the Townsville JCU Rowing Club. Reilly also competed at the Queensland State Championships Regatta held at Wyaralong Dam where he claimed a bronze in the U21 Men’s Double Scull as well as a silver in the U21 Men’s Quad Scull.
JCU Spirit of Sport Award – Hassan Malick
Hassan Malick has been a great contributor to JCUSA Sport & Recreation in 2022. Hassan as helped officiate Social Sport, Interfaculty Sport and Winna Shield. This includes helping officiate both netball and touch football. Hassan also had to jump in as the Rehabilitation and Sport Exercise Science Sports Representative in the second half of 2022 after the previous sports rep had to stand down. Hassan showed a lot of commitment to not only find students to play, but to also build the interest and engagement amongst students.
JCUSA Small Club of the Year – JCU Townsville Beach Volleyball Club
A club that started just over two years ago, the interest in beach volleyball has been reflected in the rising members in the JCU Townsville Beach Volleyball Club. The has held their own events on campus in 2022 including the JCU Kind and Queen of the Beach Tournament and the JCU Mixed Pairs Tournament. The club has also competed in various events throughout Queensland including the Queensland Volleyball State Tour, North Queensland Games and UniSport Nationals which has included many championships across women’s men’s and mixed competition.
JCUSA Club of the Year – Riverway JCU Football Club
The Riverway JCU Football Club has undergone big things in 2022 a new club that came from the merger of Ross River JCU Football Club and Riverway Vikings Football Club the club has grown from 3 senior teams to 5 senior team in 2022 now have over 100 senior including a large number of new players being students. The club also have increased the number of junior players from 75 to 200 in 2022. The Riverway JCU Football Club also helped officiate the Interfaculty Sport and Winna Shield competitions, were able to put teams together for the Uni v Army event after the Army could not field teams and have also have had members play social sport on Monday’s nights at JCU to help with team building and engagement. Outside of football, the club also did community work including donated old jerseys to Milestein Foundation, fundraised for Legacy and also did a Plasma donating blood. The Club President Daniel Kennedy also was acknowledged by Football Queensland as Volunteer of the Year for 2022.
JCUSA Coach of the Year – Campbell Yates: Rugby Union
Campbell Yates has shown great commitment to women’s rugby union at JCU. Campbell Yates is the current JCU women’s rugby 7s coach that won Silver at UniSport Nationals this year. Campbell also coached the JCU side to a gold medal at Hughenden 7s in July this year. Campbell also coach affiliated club Western Suburbs to a grand final in the Townsville District Rugby Union competition and also was involved in the Winna Shield Rugby Union competition helping students with scrum techniques as well as coaching the Burralga Yumba Women’s side. Outside of JCU, Campbell also coach the Townsville Brolgas women’s side and the North Queensland women’s side.
JCUSA Team of the Year – JCU Women’s Pairs Beach Volleyball Team
The JCU women’s pair beach volleyball team features the pairing of Shannon Wong and Irish Espanola. This year the pair won Gold for JCU at UniSport Nationals held in Perth. The pair also represented JCU at North Queensland Games winning gold as well. Through the JCU Townsville Beach Volleyball club they were also involved in other games tournaments throughout 2022 include Gold Medals at the Great Barrier Reef Challenge in Townsville and Mackay as well as a 3rd place at the Queensland Beach Volleyball Tour Finals.
Congratulations to all award recipients and we look forward to hold this event in 2023.