The manager of the Sunshine Coast’s top sports team has been recognised with a prestigious state award.
Sunshine Coast Lightning CEO Danielle Smith was named the Queensland Sports Administrator of the Year for 2021, at the QSport Awards in Brisbane.Ms Smith, who is also a Melbourne Storm Board Director, has been a strong advocate for sport in Queensland during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said she was humbled by the recognition and proud of the evolution and success of the club since its inception in the national league in 2017.
The Lightning have won featured in finals every year, including title wins in their first two years of existence.“It’s a real honour and privilege to be recognised as the Sports Administrator of the Year at the QSport Awards, especially given the calibre of my fellow finalists who are all deserving,” Ms Smith said.
Other finalists included Breanna Brock (AFL), Graham Burns (basketball), David Hanham (rugby union) and Alison Lyons (hockey).
“The past two years have been challenging in this industry but as Queenslanders, we have been able to innovate and band together to ensure the delivery of not only the Super Netball but NRL, AFL and other elite competitions,” she said.
“This award is a reflection of our amazing people at Lightning who regularly go above and beyond and bring passion to everything they do, as well the incredible community of supporters that we have cultivated since the club’s inception.“I would like to highlight the support of the Board and all our athletes and staff – our people are what really make this club unique and enable me to lead such an incredible organisation.”
“I’d also like to acknowledge the collaboration and hard work of the Suncorp Super Netball League and Club CEOs – who have worked tirelessly in recent years especially – to ensure we could safely complete two consecutive 60 game seasons plus finals.”
The Sport Administrator of the Year Award was proudly sponsored by Gallagher.Storm Group Chairman Matt Tripp praised Danielle and her contribution to Lightning and to sport more broadly in the country.
“Danielle has proven to be a wonderful sports executive and this award is recognition of her many years of hard work,” he said.“She has built and resided over the most successful netball franchise in the country and thoroughly deserves her place at the top of the tree when it comes to sporting CEO’s in Queensland.” Smith was one of the key stakeholders working to secure the Super Netball relocation to Queensland in 2020 and 2021, with Lightning collaborating with Queensland Firebirds and Netball Queensland to play a central role in the successful delivery of the competition. In addition to the complexities of running a highly-successful sports organisation during two COVID-19 interrupted seasons, Ms Smith was also focused on ensuring positive outcomes for players, clubs and the SSN league during negotiations with Netball Australia for 2022 and beyond. She was influential in negotiations for the new SSN team licence agreement and collective players agreement, as the league moves into a new era in 2022.
Like stories that inform, connect and celebrate the Sunshine Coast? So do we. Join an independent local news revolution by subscribing to our free daily news feed: Go to SUBSCRIBE at top of this article to register.The QSport Awards are held annually to celebrate the top performers in the sporting industry across the state, spanning professional and community sport.
Sport Star of the Year was jointly awarded to tennis ace Ash Barty and swim sensation Emma McKeon, whilst the Australian women’s 4×100 freestyle team took out the Team of the Year award.
Sunshine Coast star swimmer Kaylee McKeown was a finalist in the Sport Star of the Year category, after claiming three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics.
Rugby league marvel Allan Langer, who has lived at Caloundra for most of his post-career, was recognised as the 21st Legend of Queensland sport.
