Futsal star earns top award as JCU student athletes honoured
Futsal standout Stephanie Luyt headlined the James Cook University students honoured at this week’s annual JCU UniLife Sport Awards.
Currently studying a Bachelor of Business/ Bachelor of Laws, Luyt picked up the night’s top award as JCU Sportsperson of the Year in honour of her efforts competing for and captaining JCU’s 2025 futsal National Championship team.
She also earnt selection for the Australian team at the prestigious 4 Nations Cup held in Scotland, while also coaching the U12/13 Australia team in Spain and the U10 Boys Australian team in China at major international events.
The JCU UniLife Sport Awards honoured students and connected community clubs in recognition for their outstanding sporting achievements throughout 2025.
JCU Sport & Recreation honours students for their outstanding achievements throughout the year, with Luyt and five other students earning the top honour of a Blue award for performing at a state or national level with distinction.
A further three students picked up the Half Blue award for their achievements as JCU enjoyed a stellar year of results across several state and national competitions.
The Blues Awards system, originating in the 1800s between famed British universities Oxford and Cambridge, has been adopted by various universities across Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand, with JCU joining the list in 2021.
Other award winners on the night included Indigenous Sportsperson of the year Nic Jones, a highly accomplished rugby league referee who is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary).
The Team of the Year award went to JCU’s all-conquering cycling team of Thomas Beddomme, Harry McRae and Caitlin Corset.
The team JCU team showed sheer determination and strength that they would not be intimidated by the like of larger university teams, securing a total of five medals at the UniSport Nationals.
Caitlin Corset took home bronze in the time trial, criterium and road race and teammate Thomas Beddome, JCU’s 2024 sportsperson of the year, claimed a bronze in the road race and silver in the criterium.
Saints Cricket Club won JCU Club of the Year, in honour of their long-awaited return to the Townsville 1st Grade Competition, with their coach Ian Jones also honoured as the JCU Coach of the Year.
The JCU Spirt of Sport award went to Jim Fitzgerald, honoruing his tireless efforts which allowed JCU to attend UniSport Nationals with their inaugural Rugby League 9’s men’s team.
As a current Bachelor of Law student, he juggled a young family and FIFO work to lead the team on and off the field. He scouted and recruited a team of 15 students and was the team’s coach and trainer, and even pulled the boots on himself after some late withdrawals of players.
FULL- BLUE RECIPIENTS
Courtney Fitzgerald (karate)
Courtney is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and is also a mother of three. Throughout 2025 she represented Australia and her dojo in Osaka & Kyoto, Japan through Karate demonstrations and was awarded her 3rd Dan in the Matsumoto style by internationally recognised karate teachers (senseis). She also coaches nationally out of Shou Hon Kai Dojo based here in Townsville, building state squads to represent at coming 2026 championships.
Stephanie Luyt (futsal)
A Bachelor of Business/Laws student, Stephanie led JCU to Futsal glory at the 2025 UniSport Nationals. She also played for the Australian team at the prestigious 4 Nations Cup held in Scotland, while also coaching the U12/13 Australia team in Spain and the U10 Boys Australian team in China at major international events.
Jennifer Fotinos (boxing)Jennifer is JCU’s first ever Full Blue dual athlete after adding a Full Blue award for her boxing achievements to the award she earnt last year for futsal. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and was selected for the Queensland state boxing team. She competed in the Sunstate Amateur Australian Boxing titles and received the silver medal in the 48kg division.
Odysseas Kolovisteas (judo)
Odysseas is a powerhouse martial artist, who is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (honours)/ Bachelor of Science. Throughout 2025 he represented JCU at the UniSport nationals Judo competition where he went undefeated and took the gold medal. He was also the gold medallist at the Under 21 Queensland International Open & won the silver medal for the senior men’s division at the same tournament. Ody also claimed the National Kyu Grade Championship for Judoka.
Hayley Killer (netball umpire)
Hayley is one of Townsville’s highest qualified Netball Umpires and is currently undertaking studies for a Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science. She achieved the National A class badge throughout 2025, while officiating the QLD Hart & Sapphire Ruby league competitions, and earning selection into the QLD Firebirds Futures Academy for a third straight year. Hayley was also selected for the Hart Premier League Rugby and Sapphire Umpiring Squads, known now as the Suncorp Super Netball league, the elite level of netball in Australia.
Joanna Chen (swimming)
Joanna is currently studying a Bachelor of Medicine based in Cairns and is a proud Papua New Guinean. She represented PNG at the world Championships in the 200 individual medley, 50m backstroke, 4x100 medley relay & 4x100m freestyle relay. At the Pacific Mini Games in Palau, she swam for PNG in the 50m back, 100IM, 4x100 freestyle relay, 200m back, 50m fly, 4x200m free relay, 100m free, 200IM, 100m back & 4x100 Medley relay. Joanna also mentioned how proud she was to be able to compete amongst some of the world’s greatest, like American swimming icon Katie Ledecky.
HALF-BLUE RECIPIENTS
Nic Jones (rugby league official), Caitlin Corset (cycling), Ashley Killer (netball umpire)
JCU Sportsperson of the Year Stephanie Luyt
JCU Indigenous Sportsperson of the Year Nic Jones (rugby league referee)
JCU Spirit of Sport Jim Fitzgerald
Club of the Year Saints Cricket Club
Coach of the Year Ian Jones
Team of the Year JCU cycling team – Thomas Beddomme, Harry McRae, Caitlin Corset