# Paralympics Australia awards

Paralympics Australia recognises the achievements of Paralympic athletes, coaches and administrators through several awards. These awards generally relate to performances at the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and are not necessarily awarded annually.

## Australian Paralympian of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 1994 | Louise Sauvage (Athletics) |
| 1995 | Priya Cooper (Swimming) |
| 1996 | Louise Sauvage (Athletics) |
| 1997 | Louise Sauvage (Athletics) |
| 1998 | Louise Sauvage (Athletics) |
| 2000 | Siobhan Paton (Swimming) |
| 2002 | Michael Milton (Alpine skiing) |
| 2004 | Tim Sullivan (Athletics) |
| 2008 | Matthew Cowdrey (Swimming) |
| 2010 | Cameron Rahles-Rahbula (Alpine skiing) |
| 2012 | Jacqueline Freney (Swimming) |
| 2016 | Dylan Alcott (Wheelchair tennis) |
| 2020 | Madison de Rozario (Athletics) |
| 2022 | Ben Tudhope (Snowboarding) |
| 2024 | Lauren Parker (Triathlon / Cycling) |

## Male Athlete of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2008 | Matthew Cowdrey (Swimming) |
| 2010 | Cameron Rahles-Rahbula (Alpine skiing) |
| 2012 | Evan O'Hanlon (Athletics) |
| 2016 | Dylan Alcott (Wheelchair tennis) |
| 2020 | Curtis McGrath (Canoeing) |
| 2022 | Ben Tudhope (Snowboarding) |
| 2024 | James Turner (Athletics) |

## Female Athlete of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2008 | Lisa McIntosh (Athletics) |
| 2010 | Jessica Gallagher (Alpine skiing) |
| 2012 | Jacqueline Freney (Swimming) |
| 2016 | Maddison Elliott (Swimming) |
| 2020 | Madison de Rozario (Athletics) |
| 2022 | Melissa Perrine (Alpine skiing) |
| 2024 | Lauren Parker (Cycling / Triathlon) |

## Rookie Athlete of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2008 | Peter Leek (Swimming) |
| 2012 | Maddison Elliott (Swimming) Rheed McCracken (Athletics) |
| 2016 | James Turner (Athletics) |
| 2020 | William Martin (Swimming) |
| 2022 | Josh Hanlon (Alpine skiing) |
| 2024 | Alexa Leary (Swimming) |
Award changed from Junior to Rookie Athlete of the Year in 2016.

## Coach of the Year

| Year | Coach |
| 2008 | Iryna Dvoskina (Athletics) |
| 2010 | Steve Graham (Alpine skiing) |
| 2012 | Peter Day (Cycling) |
| 2016 | Iryna Dvoskina (Athletics) |
| 2020 | Louise Sauvage (Athletics) |
| 2022 | Par Sundqvist (Snowboarding) |
| 2004 | Maggie Meng (Table tennis) |

## Team of the Year

| Year | Team |
| 2008 | Men's Wheelchair Basketball (Rollers) |
| 2012 | Wheelchair Rugby Team (Steelers) Sailing SKUD18 Crew Daniel Fitzgibbon & Liesl Tesch |
| 2016 | Australian Paralympic Sailing Team Matthew Bugg (Single person 2.4mR), Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (Two person Skud 18), Colin Harrison, Russell Boaden, Jonathan Harris (Three person Sonar) |
| 2020 | Women’s Table Tennis (Class 9-10) Team Melissa Tapper, Qian Yang, Lina Lei |
| 2024 | Nikki Ayers & Jed Altschwager (PR3 Mixed Double Scull, Para-rowing) |

## Uncle Kevin Coombs Medal for the Spirit of the Games

Named after indigenous wheelchair basketballer Kevin Coombs. The Medal is awarded to the athlete that embodies the 'spirit of the Games'.
| Year | Team |
| 2016 | Liesl Tesch (Sailing) |
| 2020 | Stuart Jones (Cyclist) |
| 2024 | Grant Patterson (Swimming) |

## President’s Award for Excellence in Sportsmanship

| Year | Athlete |
| 2008 | Kurt Fearnley (Athletics) |
| 2010 | Toby Kane (Alpine skiing) |
| 2012 | Libby Kosmala (Shooting) Kieran Modra (Cycling) |
| 2016 | Kate McLoughlin (2016 Chef de Mission) |
| 2020 | Daniela Di Toro |
| 2024 | Boccia Australia High Performance program |

## Paralympic Achievement Award

| Year | Athlete |
| 2010 | Individuals - David Baker, Pamela Baker, Steve Mason and Belinda Green Corporate - 360HR |
| 2012 | Matthew Cowdrey (Swimming) |

## Australian Paralympic Hall of Fame

It was established in 2011 to recognise individuals that have made a significant contribution to Australia's paralympic achievements and to enhance the profile of Paralympians in the Australian community.
| Year | Name |
| 2011 | Louise Sauvage(Athlete) |
| 2011 | Frank Ponta (Athlete) |
| 2011 | Sir George Bedbrook (Administrator) |
| 2016 | Kevin Coombs (Athlete) |
| 2016 | Tracey Freeman (Athlete) |
| 2016 | David Hall (Athlete) |
| 2016 | Daphne Hilton (Athlete) |
| 2016 | Ron Finneran (Administrator) |
| 2016 | Adrienne Smith (Administrator) |
| 2022 | Libby Kosmala (Athlete) |
| 2022 | Priya Cooper (Athlete) |
| 2022 | Michael Milton (Athlete) |
| 2022 | Matthew Cowdrey (Athlete) |
| 2022 | Kurt Fearnley (Athlete) |
| 2024 | Elizabeth Edmondson (Swimming) |
| 2024 | Anne Brunell (Swimming) |
| 2024 | David Gould (Basketball) |
| 2024 | Gary Hooper |
| 2024 | Greg Hartung (Administrator) |

## Australian Paralympic Medal

This award recognises significant long term contribution to Paralympic sport in Australia and is the highest honour for a non-athlete.
| Year | Name |
| 2001 | Marie Little |
| 2002 | Ron Finneran |
| 2004 | Adrienne Smith |
| 2005 | Nick Dean |
| 2008 | Scott Goodman |
| 2010 | Paul Bird |
| 2010 | Ken Brown |
| 2010 | John Coates |
| 2010 | Doug Denby |
| 2010 | Rod Kemp |
| 2015 | Nick Dean |
| 2022 | John Wylie |
| 2024 | Tim Matthews |