The team came out ahead of a stellar field from a range of sports to pick up the award at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The 17 and Under team overcame traditional rivals and defending champions NSW with victory in the final at the National Netball Championships in Darwin in April.
Tia Crombie led the scoring charts for the 17U division at the tournament, while defender Jada Delaney was named the Grand Final MVP.
The team’s dominance rewarded with seven members of the squad chosen in the Australian 17 and Under squad after the championship while Delaney, Sasha-May Flegler and Gemma Hutchings all went on to be selected in the Australian Fast 5 Netball Team that won gold at August’s 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinbago.
Earlier in the night, NQ past president and legacy life member June Bothwell AM’s impact on netball was honoured with the presentation of a Service of Sport Award.
June, who passed away in June aged 83, was a towering figure across netball for several decades holding administrative and coaching roles at both her beloved Western Districts Netball Association and NQ, including a stint as president from 1999 to 2005.
Gympie and District Netball Association’s Colleen Miller (Sport Volunteer of the Year), the 2023 Vicki Wilson Championships and Boys Open (Sport Event of the Year) and rising star Flegler (Junior Sport Star of the Year) were other nominees from netball, one of 23 sports nominated for awards.
“I am thrilled our brightest young netball talent in the 17 and Under team has been acknowledged for their amazing year with this prestigious award,” NQ chief executive Kate Davies said.
“It fills me with pride to see the efforts of those in our netball community recognized as part of the annual celebration of Queensland sport, with June Bothwell’s legacy being honoured a special moment that we were delighted to share with her family and friends.
“We also warmly congratulate our other nominees for making the shortlist in their respective categories, which is a reflection on their outstanding efforts and an inspiration to all of us.”
