Gold Coast

Athlete of the Year

Celebrating Peak Performance

The Gold Coast Athlete of the Year award honours elite athletes who have achieved exceptional success in their sport and proudly represented the Gold Coast on the national or international stage.
Each year, this award recognises a sportsperson who has not only delivered outstanding results, but has shown leadership, professionalism and sportsmanship.
Year(s)
Recipient
Sport
1969
Greg Brough
Swimming
1970
Peter Drouyn
Surfing
1971
Bernie Adams
Archery
1972
Paul Neilsen
Surfing
1973
Shirley Graham
Rowing
1974
Alan Saxby
Surf Lifesaving
1975
Maureen Adams
Archery
1976
Peter Townend
Surfing
1977
Wayne "Rabbit' Bartholomew
Surfing
1978
Wayne "Rabbit' Bartholomew
Surfing
1979
Val Wyld
Waterskiing
1980
Wayne Hammond
Hockey
1981
Mark Bennetts
Surf Lifesaving
1982
Judy Morgan
Kayaking
1983
Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew
Surfing
1984
Robert Edmonds
Gymnastics
1985
Gary Metcalfe
Sailing
1986
Gary Metcalfe
Sailing
1987
Ian Schuback
Bowls
1988
Debbie Bowman
Hockey
1989
Danielle Drady
Squash
1990
Trevor Hendy
Surf Lifesaving
1991
Michael Doohan
Motorsport
1992
Michael Doohan
Motorsport
1993
Daniel Kowolski
Swimming
Year(s)
Recipient
Sport
1994
Michael Doohan
Motorsport
1995
Michael Doohan
Motorsport
1996
Michael Doohan
Motorsport
1997
Michael Doohan
Motorsport
1998
Michael Doohan
Motorsport
1999
Grant Hackett
Swimming
2000
Grant Hackett
Swimming
2001
Grant Hackett
Swimming
2002
Grant Hackett
Swimming
2003
Grant Hackett
Swimming
2004
Grant Hackett
Swimming
2005
Grant Hackett
Swimming
2006
Emma Snowsill
Triathlon
2007
Stephanie Gilmore and Mick Fanning
Surfing
2008
Ken Wallace
Kayaking
2009
Stephanie Gilmore and Mick Fanning
Surfing
2010
Sally Pearson
Athletics
2011
Sally Pearson
Athletics
2012
Sally Pearson
Athletics
2013
Adam Scott
Golf
2014
Shannon Eckstein
Surf Lifesaving
2015
Ken Wallace
Kayaking
2016
Shannon Eckstein
Surf Lifesaving
2017
Sally Pearson
Athletics
2018
Stephanie Gilmore
Surfing

Want to Nominate Someone?

Many of our awards are open to public nominations.Visit our Nomination Info
& Criteria page for eligibility details and how to apply.
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