Four of the Cairns region’s brightest sporting talents have been selected as nominees for the prestigious North Queensland Sportstar Awards.

The awards will be held at Sheraton Mirage, Port Douglas on Saturday, March 23, featuring Olympian Jana Pittman as the keynote speaker.

Now in its 12th year, the NQ Sportstar Awards recognise the efforts of the best junior and senior sportspeople in North Queensland.

NQ Sports Foundation Committee member Cr Jessie Richardson said the Cairns region was home to many outstanding athletes. “Selecting just one nominee in each of the four categories was no easy task,” Cr Richardson said.

“There are so many sportspeople in our region who are working so hard to achieve their dreams and to be a positive role model for others''.

“I congratulate all of the nominees and wish them luck on the night.”

NQ Sportstar Awards Dinner will be held at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas. Tickets are $60 per person and include canapés followed by a two-course meal.

The Cairns region nominees are:
Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Tennille Falappi, 17, Cycling
Won a gold and silver medal at the Oceania Championships in Adelaide in November 2012 and represented Australia at the 2013 Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney in January

Senior Sportsperson of the Year - Angelika Schriber, 26, Cable wakeboarding 2012 Double World Champion for Pro Women Division and Rails only event; 2012 International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation World Cup Champion.

Athlete with a Disability - Joshua Lush, 12, Athletics
Winner of 10 gold medals at the 2012 Oceania Games

Service to NQ Sport - Cheryl Brodribb, 66, Masters Swimming
Cheryl gained a State MSQ Officials Award for officiating at every available meet in 2012. She officiated as a marshall, starter, stroke and turn judge, chief timekeeper and timekeeper.