Cook Shire Councillor Marilyn Morris and teen bowler and award finalist Corinne Stallan accepting the Cooktown Underwater Hockey Club’s awards on its behalf. Photo: Katrina Lewis.
Cooktown’s sporting community shone on the big stage with two winners and five finalists in the annual NQ Sportstar Awards, announced in Mackay on the weekend.
The Cooktown Crocs Underwater Hockey Club junior team took out top honours, winning the Junior Sport Team award along with $1250 prize money, while the club’s senior team was runner-up for the Sport Team award and $250 prize money.
Cooktown bowler Corinne Stallan, who was also a finalist, accepted the junior award on the Underwater Hockey Club’s behalf at the gala event, while Cook Shire Councillor Marilyn Morris accepted the senior team’s award on their behalf.
Cooktown swimmer Maiika Hegamaea and track and field, swimming and rugby league athlete Maia Pensio were also finalists in the Junior Sportstar and Rural and Remote Sportstar categories alongside Corinne, while Laura Rodeo stalwart Debbie Gostelow and underwater hockey coach Richard Lee were finalists in the Volunteer of the Year category.
Cr Morris said the Cooktown Underwater Hockey Club’s video was played on the big screen as the awards were announced.
“Scottie, Richard and all the parents and kids are to be congratulated,” she said.
“The video they put together was a big hit, the kids sounded so natural and happy, all the while promoting their community – it made me slightly teary, actually!”
