NQ Games Ambassadors
Meet the face of the NQ Games
Born and bred in Cairns, Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson is a true-blue Aussie from the far North who took the country by storm during the 2021 Paralympic Games. Grant is currently in training to again represent Australia at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Grant was born with a rare form of
dwarfism called diastrophic dysplasia, Grant’s sporting opportunities looked
limited, however, with determination and a positive attitude, Grant quickly
became a talented athlete and an Australian favourite.
With the nickname ‘Scooter’ coming from the three-wheeled trike that he scoots around on, Grant is a passionate, engaging, and loveable speaker with a fantastic message that resonates with all audiences.
Leah Rueben
Leah started boxing when she was 12 years old, as a troubled youth found herself in a dark place and was encouraged by her brother to go with him to boxing.It was when watching a match with female boxers that Leah saw the elation and pride they had and wanted to have that.
Boxing became Leah’s guiding light and provided support and joy that helped break the cycle with her mental health and ignited a passion for the sport. “It’s the best thing I ever did, it’s changed my life”.
In 2018 won the U19 Australian Youth Boxing Championship and has trained with the Australian and Philippines Olympic squads. In 2023 Leah was selected to compete in the qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Joyce Lester, OAM
Joyce is a Softball legend with an outstanding professional sporting career. Joyce competed in 5 World Championships and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. She played 235 games for Australia and was captain of the Australian team for 11 years. Joyce was inducted into both the Australian and Queensland softball halls of fame in 1996, and in 2000 she received a Medal of the Order of Australia and an Australian Sports Medal and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Since retiring, Joyce has continued to give back to softball as a volunteer, particularly in the coaching arena. The Joyce Lester Shield, Softball Australia’s under-23 women’s championship, is named after her.
Libby Cook-Black
Libby started playing netball when she was seven years old and throughout the years found a natural transition to rugby sevens. Libby stood out with her talent and was recruited as part of the Australian campaign for the 2016 Rio Olympics where the highlight of her career came as a Forward for the Australian Jillaroos team.
A career ending injury gave Libby a new lease in life, with her now off-field position advocating for women in sports.
Matt Smith
Matt Smith is former professional basketball player whose career took him to the United States, New Zealand, China, Singapore and our NBL. Finishing his NBL career with the Cairns Taipans in 2009 Matt continued to play in the NBL1 for the Cairns Marlins until retiring at 39 in 2018.
He led the NBL in Field Goal Percentage in 2007 and is the Taipans all-time leader in blocked shots and was a member of the 2007 Cairns Marlins National Championship Team.
Matt can be found courtside announcing for the Cairns Taipans a role he has held since 2011. He is a passionate supporter of local sport and was the host of 4CA’s sideline view.
