Brisbane Lions Coach, Chris Fagan and Triple Premiership player, Shaun Hart were both honoured at the 2024 QSport Awards held in Brisbane last night.
Premiership Coach, Fagan, was awarded the Queensland Government 2024 Queensland Sport Coach of the Year award in recognition of the Lions 2024 Premiership success, while Hart was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.
Hart, who won the Norm Smith Medal for his best on ground performance in the 2001 Grand Final, played a combined 273 games in Bears and Lions colours, kicking 177 goals from 1990 until his retirement in 2004.
He said it is a real honour to be included in the Hall of Fame, particularly in the year we are all celebrating the Lions Premiership.
“I am truly blessed to have been part of such an incredible football family, which has led to this honour. Without the love of my amazing wife, Linda, and all of my family and friends, none of this would have been possible.
“Finally, I believe we are given these opportunities not for our own gain, but as a platform to influence our world with the messages that really count. Mine is very much about faith, overcoming fear and the power of love, the right leadership and relationships in our lives.”
Hart joins fellow Lions Premiership players Jonathan Brown (2018), Simon Black (2016), Jason Akermanis (2015), Marcus Ashcroft (2009), Alastair Lynch (2009) and Michael Voss (2009) in the Hall of Fame along with former Coach, Leigh Matthews (2009) who was also in attendance.
The QSport awards caps a stellar year for Fagan who in September was named the Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year by the AFL Coaches Association.
In accepting the award, Fagan, paid tribute to his players and coaching staff.
“Managing and developing 45 players to win a premiership cannot be done by one person – it is a team effort so in winning the award I accept equal share of the credit with all my colleagues at the Lions.
“I would also like to acknowledge the resilience and selflessness of our players. At various times during the year our season seemed lost but they stayed strong and found a way.
“They are the ones out there on the arena and they deserve most of the credit.”
QSport is the peak body for sport in Queensland. The Annual Queensland Sport Awards have been running since 1995, and serve to celebrate the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, administrations and organisations.
