One of the City of Logan's most successful sporting exports, rugby league legend Cameron Smith, is coming home.
The code's Immortal-in-waiting will be the guest speaker at the 2021 City of Logan Sports Awards, where he will join local rising sports stars in celebration of their successes over the past year.
This year's awards will have a special poignancy in an Olympic year.
Homegrown stars including BMX freestyle world champion, and now Olympic gold medallist, Logan Martin, swimmer Mollie O'Callaghan (two relay gold, one relay bronze medals) and decathlete Ashley Moloney (bronze medal) were part of the Australian team at the recent Tokyo Games.
Smith started his league career as a junior at the Logan Brothers Rugby League Club in Logan Central.
He made his debut with the Melbourne Storm in 2002, which started a 19-year career at rugby league's highest levels.
Smith retired earlier this year. He remains the NRL's top scoring player with 2786 points across a record 430 matches.
He also played 42 times for the Queensland Maroons and 56 times for Australia, many of those appearances as captain.
Smith said he was honoured to be returning to the City of Logan to meet and congratulate its most talented and emerging sports stars.
"I am very proud to have started my football journey in Logan, where I grew up," Smith said.
"Sport is loved and nurtured in this city, which has provided fantastic opportunities for so many young Australian athletes from many sports.
"I am looking forward to meeting its current generation of young sportsmen and women and celebrating their outstanding achievements."
City Lifestyle Chair Councillor Laurie Koranski said the City of Logan Sports Awards were an opportunity to celebrate high achieving sportspeople as well as recognising hardworking coaches, officials and volunteers.
"Many of our sporting clubs are run by volunteers, including mums and dads. These are the heroes who help turn dreams into reality for so many of our budding young sports stars," Cr Koranski said.
"It is a privilege each year to host these awards and join in celebrating another wonderful and successful year for sport in the City of Logan."
The City of Logan Sports Awards will be held on Saturday, November 13 at the Logan Metro Sports & Events Centre at Crestmead.
Tickets are available for purchase online at 2021 City of Logan Sports Awards.
