The Samoa international and Queensland Firebirds Futures player was a dominant force for the Cougars throughout the year, driving them to the Sapphire Division minor premiership with her trademark speed, vision and consistency. The win marks Laga’aia’s second Katie Walker Medal after she first claimed the honour in 2023 while starring for the Carina Leagues Club Tigers.
A highlight of the night was Aaliyah Sheppard claiming the award as the MVP of Queensland’s First Nations team, with it being announced the award would be named after Former Queensland Firebirds captain and Australian Diamond Sharon Finnan-White, who presented the award to Sheppard.
The new-look awards night, held on Friday at Carina Leagues Club, celebrated the rising stars and dedicated leaders shaping the future of Queensland netball.
Among other key honours, Tia Molo was named Queensland 19 and Under MVP, Simoné Botha earned the Queensland 17 and Under MVP and Sasha Flegler received the coveted Judy Sampson Memorial Trophy.
It was also a night to remember for Queensland Firebirds Futures Academy regional coach Rebecca Hagenbach, who was recognised as Performance Coach of the Year after guiding the Mackay Monarchs to the inaugural Ruby North title in a breakout season.
Monarchs captain Lauren Berridge also received acknowledgement on the night as the Ruby North MVP.
2025 NQ Performance Pathway Award Winners
Performance Coach of the Year - Rebecca Hagenbach (Mackay Monarchs)
Performance Official of the Year - Abbey Bassingthwaighte
Katie Walker Medal - Jessie Laga’aia (Kedron-Wavell Cougars)
Ruby Series MVP - Harriet Nicholson (Bond University Bull Sharks)
M-League MVP - Kobe Webster (Moreton Bay City Pulse), Jarrad Gaunt (Moreton Bay City Pulse), Brock Starkey (Sunshine Coast Thunder)
Ruby North MVP - Lauren Berridge (Mackay Monarchs)
Queensland Suns Rising Sun - Miller Page
Queensland Suns MVP - Aaron Clayton
Queensland 17U MVP - Simoné Botha
Queensland 17U Players’ Player - Ruby Stanford
Queensland 19U MVP - Tia Molo
Queensland 19U Players’ Player - Kirra Tappenden
Judy Sampson Memorial Trophy - Sasha-May Flegler
Queensland Gems MVP - Marnie Simpson
Queensland Gems Spirit Award - Lorelei Page
Sharon Finnan-White MVP Award (First Nations) - Aaliyah Sheppard
Queensland First Nations Players’ Player - Brianna Martyn
