2025 AWARDS JUDGING PANEL

Brad Chalmers is a highly experienced sport and recreation leader with a career spanning local government, private sector, elite sport, and community development. With over 30 years’ involvement in professional and semi-professional basketball, and junior state representation in cricket and AFL, Brad has competed at state, national, and international levels, achieving multiple championship titles.

Over the past 15 years, Brad has built a distinguished coaching career at professional and semi-professional levels. He has guided teams to professional championships, developed and mentored athletes who progressed into state and national squads, U.S. collegiate programs, and international professional contracts. His expertise has also supported Queensland and New South Wales high-performance pathways, while locally he continues to coach and mentor young athletes through the Sunshine Coast Phoenix junior representative program. In 2019, he also led an Australian NBL1 All-Star team to victory at the World Invitational Challenge in Thailand.

Currently, Brad is Sport and Active Lifestyles Manager at Noosa Council, overseeing community facilities, major infrastructure projects, Olympic legacy planning, and programs that enhance community wellbeing and sporting pathways.

Brad combines strategic leadership in sport and recreation with championship-winning coaching experience, offering the judging panel respected insight across both community and elite sporting environments.

With over 45 years of active involvement in local sport, Heath has made a lasting impact as a participant, administrator, volunteer and coach across the Sunshine Coast. As a competitor, he has reached the pinnacle of surf lifesaving, earning both World and Australian Titles. He has also held a lifelong passion for Australian football, including proudly representing the Maroochydore Roos AFC at A Grade level over a number of years.

Beyond personal accolades, Heath has held numerous club committee positions as a volunteer, helping shape the future of sport at the grassroots level. His ongoing coaching roles continue to inspire and develop emerging talent across the region.

Professionally, Heath holds the position of Manager Sport & Community Venues for Sunshine Coast Council, playing a key role in shaping, guiding and delivering the Sunshine Coast sporting landscape.

Brett Cruse brings over three decades of experience in basketball as both a player and coach, with a strong track record of developing disciplined, team-oriented athletes. A Level 2 association-accredited coach with Basketball Queensland, Brett has guided junior teams at school, club, and representative levels to success. He currently coaches with Sunshine Coast Phoenix and Immanuel Lutheran College.

Originally from Tasmania, Brett represented the state at the national Under-20 Championships. He also competed in the SEABL(NBL1) as a development player with the Launceston Tigers and represented Launceston in the Tasmanian State League.

Passionate about grassroots sport, Brett volunteers in junior basketball, has held the position of treasurer for a junior basketball club and chaired the Sunshine Coast Sports Advisory Committee in 2024. In addition to basketball, Brett maintains a strong personal interest in a variety of sports, including surfing, skateboarding, golf, mountain biking, and athletics. His broad sporting passion reflects a lifelong commitment to active living and a deep appreciation for the dedication and discipline required across all athletic pursuits.

Mark is a lifelong resident of the Sunshine Coast and has been heavily involved in sport as a representative player, coach and administrator. He has held various roles in schools including Head of Sport and his current role as Dean of Co-Curricular programs at Sunshine Coast Grammar School. Mark is a passionate supporter of grassroots sport and has been fortunate to work with numerous aspiring athletes. He is particularly excited for the opportunities that the upcoming 2032 Olympics and Paralympics present for Sunshine Coast athletes.

Tania has 10 years experience working in high performance sport supporting elite athletes, coaches, teams and managers to achieve their goals. She has degrees in psychology, education and high performance sport and is currently undertaking research on athlete performance pathways and coach wellbeing in partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport.

Rachel Turney brings specialist knowledge in inclusive sport to the Sunshine Coast Sports Awards judging panel. With a Master of Disability and Inclusion focused on disability sport participation, and having conducted research for the Australian Sports Commission examining inclusive sport opportunities across the Sunshine Coast, Rachel offers valuable insights into ensuring sport is accessible and welcoming to all community members.

For the past eight years, she has successfully owned and operated a multidisciplinary healthcare clinic, building on 20 years of international experience in retail marketing, promotions, and conference management. She currently volunteers her marketing expertise with the Buderim Foundation, supporting community grants programs that strengthen the Sunshine Coast region.

As a masters-level athlete herself, Rachel understands sport from a participant's perspective. Drawn to the Sunshine Coast for its endless outdoor opportunities, she is passionate about paddling, trail running, and cycling, with a particular focus on women's adventure racing and training with TriAdventure Noosa. Her sporting dedication and spirit were recognised this year when she completed the gruelling Atacama Crossing – a 250km stage race on foot across the Chilean desert – earning her the prestigious Sportsmanship Award.

Rachel's unique combination of inclusion expertise, business acumen, and personal athletic achievement ensures she brings both strategic insight and lived experience to the judging panel, with a keen eye for recognising excellence that embraces the full diversity of our sporting community.