A photo of Beaudesert netballer Pippa Wilke giving it her best in the annual Kingfisher Cup at Mavor Park has earned the Beaudesert Bulletin silver in the prestigious Queensland Country Press Association Awards Best Sports Picture category.
Susie Cunningham took the photo of Pippa, who was playing Centre for Beaudesert State School at the anticipated interschool tournament hosted by Beaudesert Netball Association and Beaudesert Kingfishers.
The photo, titled ‘Small but Mighty’, was among 24 entries in the Best Sports Picture category.
Judge Ian Osteman said the photo captured ‘poise under pressure’.
“The fierce determination shown by junior netballer Pippa Wilke against her much larger and stronger opponents dominates this image,” he wrote.
“The photographer has captured her poise under pressure as she weighs up her options and the photo generates a ‘you go girl’ emotional support from the reader.”
Mr Osteman said it was a close race for first place.
“A wide range of images were submitted indicating regional newspapers are deeply embedded in their communities,” he wrote.
“The standard was excellent and any of the top three would have been worthy winners.
“Capturing a good sports photo is much more than standing on the sidelines and shooting the action.
“Good sports photographers have to read the play just like a participant and be a step ahead of the action to capture those special moments.
“It would appear the Queensland photographers are well and truly ‘on the ball’.”
