Magpie of the Year

Magpie of the year is an annual event, awarding sporting excellence within Magpies affiliated sporting clubs. Magpies proudly support 9 affiliated sporting clubs and co-found Magpies Crusaders United, representing the Mackay & Whitsundays region in the Queensland National Premier League (NPL). Magpie of the Year Awards are: Junior Female Athlete of the year, Junior Male Athlete of the year, Senior Female Athlete of the year, Senior Male Athlete of the year, Volunteer of the Year and the coveted Magpie of the Year award honours the winner for their considerable contribution to Magpies over at least 5 years.

MAGPIE OF THE YEAR 2021

TERESA DREGHORN – MAGPIES NETBALL CLUB

Teresa was the founding member of Magpies Netball club 26 years when she played, coached, umpired, and administered the club. Fast forward 17 years and she returned to the club with her daughter donning the black and white. From 2015 she has volunteered, ordered, and designed uniform, umpired, scored, been the emergency coach, carried out office duties, organised grants, and sponsorship, liaised about court hire, trophies, presentation night, washed every bib at the end of the season. She has organised stocktakes, sausage sizzles and raffles as well as attending every club and sport meeting. Her fundraising efforts have meant being able to support volunteer coaches and umpires with clothing and training. She has been involved in the Whitsunday Region Committee looking after the pathways for netballers to elite levels. She was nominated for the Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Award for her volunteering work in 2020. Teresa was also named as a finalist at the 2019 North Queensland Sportstar Awards in recognition of her service to NQ Sport at Regional and Club level.

MAGPIE OF THE YEAR 2021

TERESA DREGHORN – MAGPIES NETBALL CLUB

MAGPIE OF THE YEAR 2021

The 2021 awards ceremony was attended by member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Mayor Greg Williamson and Deputy Mayor Karen May amongst councillors, Magpies Board of Directors and media. The flagship award of 2021 Magpie of the year was awarded to Teresa Dreghorn for her hard work, dedication and commitment to Magpies Netball Club, a club she founded 26 years ago. Volunteer of the Year was presented to Mandy Hughes from Magpies Football Club, commending the past 3 years of service to Magpies Football Club and the Magpies family in general. Jayden Tower deservingly secured the Senior Male Athlete of the year award after an impressive year in football: making his senior debut to play Goalkeeper for Magpies Crusaders United in the NPL (state league) competition. Jayden has also trained with the Newcastle Jets academy, was invited to train with the Brisbane Roar A-League team. Senior Female Athlete of the year was awarded to Magpies Senior Rugby League Clubs’ Zoe Cook whose hard work and determination has put her in a position to apply her skills at an array of impressive higher level representative teams including the under 19’s State of Origin Queensland side. Junior Male Athlete of the year was tied between Henry Thorpe from Magpies Junior Rugby League Club and Jameson Beatson from Magpies AFL Club. Karla Grobler impressed with her extensive Netball achievements securing Junior Female Athlete of the Year.

MAGPIE OF THE YEAR 2019

Over 100 Magpies sports players were awarded for their Sporting Contributions and Excellence during the annual Magpie of the Year ceremony Friday 25th October 2019, attended by special guest NRL Legend Brent Tate.

The flagship award of Magpie of the year went to Brad Zurvas, honouring his dedication and commitment to Magpies Cricket Club. Runners up for the Magpie of the Year award were Lesa Arthur from Magpies Junior and Senior Rugby League Clubs and Wendy Baynton from Magpies Netball Club. The Gold Medal award was presented to Tyler Gardiner from Magpies Senior Rugby League Club. Tyler is a very talented A-Grade Magpies Rugby League player, with a high work ethic and great leadership qualities. Runners up for the Magpie of the Year award were Jemma Carey from Magpies Netball Club and Seth Sologinkin from Magpies Junior Rugby League Club.

Amongst the sports awards Magpies Sporting Clubs Chairman Ray Golding presented donation cheques to CQ Rescue, Surf Life Saving Mackay, Cancer Council, Royal Flying Doctors and Buy a Bale, from money raised through new memberships and staff donations.