# Australian Institute of Sport Awards

Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was opened in 1981. AIS Sports Star of the Year (later named AIS Athlete of the Year) was first established in 1983/84 with the first winner being swimmer Karen Phillips. In 1995, AIS Junior Athlete of the Year was established. Other major awards include AIS Team of The Year, AIS Coach of the Year and AIS Program of the Year. Other awards included: Sport Achievement Awards, Vocation Awards and Education Awards. There were several memorial scholarship awards that recognise the contribution of deceased AIS athletes, coaches and administrators - Brent Harding Memorial Award for Swimming, Nathan Meade Memorial Award for Diving, Gary Knoke Memorial Award for Athletics, Darren Smith Memorial Award for Road Cycling, Ben Mitchell Medal for AFL and Bob Staunton Memorial Award for Basketball.
The awards were broadened in 2013 to include Direct Athlete Assistance recipients as well as AIS scholarship holders as part of the AIS Winning Edge Strategy. The awards were renamed the AIS Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs) in 2014 with several new awards - Sport Personality of the Year, Para Performance of the Year, Community Club Award and Volunteer/Administrator Award. In 2019, two awards - Sport Personality of the Year and Sporting Moment of the Year are decided by public vote. There were no awards in 2020 and 2021 due to impact of COVID-19.

## AIS Best of the Best

In 2002 as part of the AIS 21st birthday celebrations, 21 athletes were inducted into the AIS 'Best of the Best' hall of Fame. In 2006, four athletes were added and in 2011 another five athletes.
| Year | Athletes |
| 2002 | Alisa Camplin (Freestyle skiing), Robert De Castella (Athletics), John Eales (Rugby Union), Simon Fairweather (Archery), Neil Fuller (Paralympic Athletics), Bridgette Gusterson (Water Polo), Rechelle Hawkes (Hockey), Shane Kelly (Cycling), Luc Longley (Basketball), Michelle Martin (Squash), Glenn McGrath (Cricket), Michael Klim (Swimming), Michael Milton (Paralympic Skiing), Clint Robinson (Canoeing), Louise Sauvage (Paralympic Athletics), Kate Slatter (Rowing), Zali Steggall (Alpine skiing), Petria Thomas (Swimming), Mark Viduka (Soccer), Vicki Wilson (Netball), Todd Woodbridge (Tennis) |
| 2006 | Kerry Saxby-Junna (Athletics), Lauren Jackson (Basketball), Chantelle Newbery (Diving) |
| 2011 | Jamie Dwyer (Hockey), Anna Meares (Cycling), Malcolm Page (Sailing), Ricky Ponting (Cricket) and Matthew Cowdrey (Paralympic Swimming) |
* Stuart O'Grady was inducted in 2006 but this was indefinitely suspended on 31 July 2013 due to an admission of doping.

## AIS Male Athlete of The Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2015 | Jason Day (Golf) |
| 2016 | Kyle Chalmers (Swimming) |
| 2017 | Scotty James (Snowboarding) |
| 2018 | Rohan Dennis (Cycling) |
| 2019 | Scotty James (Snowboarding) |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith (Golf) |
| 2023 | Matthew Wearn (Sailing) |
| 2024 | Matthew Wearn (Sailing) |

## AIS Female Athlete of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2015 | Emily Seebohm (Swimming) |
| 2016 | Kim Brennan (Rowing) |
| 2017 | Sally Pearson (Athletics) |
| 2018 | Jessica Fox (Slalom canoeing) |
| 2019 | Ash Barty (Tennis) |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Jessica Stenson (Athletics) |
| 2023 | Kaylee McKeown (Swimming) |
| 2024 | Kaylee McKeown (Swimming) |

## AIS Emerging Athlete of the Year

This award recognises a talented junior athletes performances during the year. Previously AIS Junior Athlete of the Year.
| Year | Athlete |
| 1995 | World Junior Men's Basketball Silver Medallists - Frank Drimic, Scott McGregor, Phil Doherty, Brad McKinnon |
| 1996 | Victoria Roberts (Netball) |
| 1997 | Michael Rogers (Cycling) |
| 1998 | Lauren Jackson (Basketball) |
| 1999 | Lauren Jackson (Basketball) Ben Kersten (Track Cycling) Jobie Dajka (Track Cycling) |
| 2000 | Siobhan Paton (Paralympic Swimming) |
| 2001 | Luke Schenscher (Basketball) |
| 2002 | Todd Reid (Tennis) |
| 2003 | David Barnes (Archery) |
| 2004 | Tim Cuddihy (Archery) |
| 2005 | Renae Camino (Basketball) |
| 2006 | Robert Crowther (Athletics) |
| 2007 | Gemma Beadsworth (Water Polo) |
| 2008 | Evan O'Hanlon (Paralympic Athletics) |
| 2009 | Jack Bobridge (Track Cycling) Amy Steel (Netball) |
| 2010 | Lauren Mitchell (Gymnastics) |
| 2011 | Luke Durbridge (Track Cycling) |
| 2012 | Sam Willoughby (BMX Cycling) |
| 2013 | Dante Exum (Basketball) |
| 2014 | Amy Cure (Track cycling) |
| 2015 | Ben Simmons (Basketball) |
| 2016 | Curtis Luck (Golf) |
| 2017 | Kelland O'Brien (Cycling) |
| 2018 | Luke Plapp (Cycling) |
| 2019 | Amy Lawton (Hockey) |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Donnell Wallam (Netball) |
| 2023 | Alexa Leary (Swimming) |
| 2024 | Arisa Trew (Skateboarding) |

## AIS Performance of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2023 | Mollie O'Callaghan (Swimming) |
| 2024 | Lauren Parker (Para-cycling & Para-triathlon) |

## AIS Team of the Year

| Year | Team |
| 2000 | Australian Women's Water Polo Team (Stingers) |
| 2001 | Women's Coxless Four (Rowing)- Victoria Roberts, Jane Robinson, Jo Lutz & Julia Wilson |
| 2002 | Darren Bundock & John Forbes (Sailing) |
| 2003 | Australian Women's Quad Scull (Rowing)- Amber Bradley, Dana Faletic, Kerry Hore, Jane Robinson |
| 2004 | Australian Men's Hockey Team (Kookaburras) |
| 2005 | Malcolm Page & Nathan Wilmot (Sailing) |
| 2006 | Australian Women's Water Polo Team (Stingers) |
| 2007 | Malcolm Page & Nathan Wilmot (Sailing) |
| 2008 | Nathan Wilmot & Malcolm Page (Sailing) Elise Rechichi & Tessa Parkinson (Sailing) |
| 2009 | Nathan Outteridge & Iain Jensen (Sailing) |
| 2010 | Australian Men's Hockey Team (Kookaburras) |
| 2011 | Women's Team Sprint Team - Anna Meares & Kaarle McCulloch |
| 2012 | Men's K4 1000 (Flatwater Canoeing) - Jacob Clear, David Smith, Tate Smith, Murray Stewart |
| 2013 | Mathew Belcher & Will Ryan (Sailing) |
| 2014 | Australian Men's Hockey Team (Kookaburras) |
| 2015 | Australian Diamonds (Netball) and Women's Team Pursuit (Cycling) |
| 2016 | Australian Women's Sevens Rugby |
| 2017 | Australian Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard (Winter Sport) |
| 2018 | Australian Men's Hockey Team (Kookaburras) |
| 2019 | Mathew Belcher & Will Ryan (Sailing) |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Australian Women's Sevens Rugby |
| 2023 | BC3 Pairs (Daniel Michel and Jamieson Leeson .Boccia Australia |
| 2024 | Men’s Team Pursuit at 2024 Parais Olympics Oliver Bleddyn, Sam Welsford, Conor Leahy, Kelland O'Brien |

## AIS Coach of the Year

| Year | coach |
| 2002 | Martin Barras (Track Cycling) |
| 2003 | Lyall McCarthy (Rowing) |
| 2004 | Martin Barras (Track Cycling) |
| 2005 | Lyall McCarthy (Rowing) |
| 2006 | Greg McFadden (Women's Water Polo) |
| 2007 | Craig Hilliard (Athletics) |
| 2008 | Victor Kovalenko (Sailing) |
| 2009 | Craig Walton (Triathlon) |
| 2010 | Richard Charlesworth (Hockey) |
| 2011 | Ben Wordsworth (Snowboarding) |
| 2012 | Australian Sailing Team Coaching Group |
| 2013 | Simon Cusack (Swimming) |
| 2014 | Lisa Alexander (Netball) |
| 2015 | Michael Bohl (Swimming) |
| 2016 | Michael Blackburn (Sailing) |
| 2017 | Alen Stajcic (Soccer) |
| 2018 | Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi (Slalom canoeing) |
| 2019 | Michael Blackburn (Sailing) |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Peter McNiel and Kate Blamey (Olympic Winter Institute of Australia) |
| 2023 | Rohan Taylor (Swimming) |
| 2024 | Dean Boxall (Swimming) |

## ABC Sport Personality of the Year

Voted for by the general public.
| Year | Athlete |
| 2014 | Kurt Fearnley (Paralympic athletics) |
| 2015 | David Pocock (Rugby union) |
| 2016 | Chloe Esposito (Modern Pentathlon) |
| 2017 | Sam Kerr (Soccer) |
| 2018 | Craig Lowndes (Motor sport) |
| 2019 | Ash Barty (Tennis) |

## Team of the Year

Voted for by the general public.
| Year | Athlete |
| 2015 | Australian Diamonds (Netball) |
| 2016 | Western Bulldogs (Australian rules football) |
| 2017 | Matildas (Soccer) |
No longer awarded

## ABC Best Sporting Moment of The Year

Voted for by the media. Previously called Sport Performance of the Year Award.
| Year | Athlete |
| 2013 | Alex Pullin (Snowboarding) |
| 2014 | South Sydney Rabbitohs (Rugby league) |
| 2015 | Michelle Payne (Horse racing) |
| 2016 | Kyle Chalmers (Swimming) |
| 2017 | Jeff Horn (Boxing) |
| 2018 | Kurt Fearnley (Para athletics) and para-sport integration at 2018 Commonwealth Games |
| 2019 | Ash Barty (Tennis) winning 2019 French Open |

## AIS Para Performance of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2014 | Australian Para Rugby Team (Steelers) |
| 2015 | Alistair Donohue (Cycling) |
| 2016 | Australian Steelers (Wheelchair rugby) |
| 2017 | Mitchell Gourley (Alpine skiing) |
| 2018 | Simon Patmore (Snowboarding) |
Discontinued and replaced by Male and Female Para-athlete of the Year

## Male Para-athlete of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2019 | Curtis McGrath (Para-canoe) |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Ben Tudhope (Para-snowboarding) |
| 2023 | James Turner (Athletics) |
| 2024 | James Turner (Athletics) |

## Female Para-athlete of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2019 | Melissa Perrine (Para-skiing) |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Emily Petricola (Cycling) |
| 2023 | Lauren Parker (Cycling and triathlon) |
| 2024 | Lauren Parker (Cycling and triathlon) |

## High Performance Program of the Year

| Year | Athlete |
| 2018 | Australian Cycling Program |
| 2019 | Rowing Australia High Performance Program |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Athletics Australia |
| 2023 | The Dolphins, Swimming Australia |
| 2024 | Paddle Australia |

## AIS Leadership Award

| Year | Person |
| 2013 | Geoff Lipshut Olympic Winter Institute of Australia |
| 2014 | Damien Marangon (Shooting) and Kate Palmer (Netball Australia) |
| 2015 | Mark Anderson (Swimming Australia) |
| 2016 | Kate McLoughlin (Australian Paralympic Committee) |
| 2017 | Susan Alberti (Australian rules football) |
| 2018 | Craig Phillips (Commonwealth Games Australia) |
| 2019 | Lynne Anderson (Paralympics Australia) |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Petria Thomas (Commonwealth Games Australia) |
| 2023 | Jessica Corones, Swimming Australia |

## Win Well Award

| Year | Person/Organisation |
| 2022 | Victorian Institute of Sport |
| 2023 | Archery Australia |
| 2024 | Bowls Australia |

## Sport Volunteer of the Year

| Year | Person/Organisation |
| 2022 | Nicole Williams (Cricket Australia) |
| 2023 | Elysa Oliveri, Cricket Australia |
| 2024 | Julie Keillor, Shepparton Canoe Club/Paddle Australia |

## Sport Australia Award

Award highlighting integrity and sportsmanship in Australian sport.
| Year | Person |
| 2018 | Celia Sullohern, Madeline Hills, Eloise Wellings who waited at the finish to cheer on the last-placed athlete, Lineo Chaka in the 10000m at 2018 Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast, Queensland |
| 2019 | Hockeyroos in match against Belgium |

## Athlete Community Engagement Award

| Year | Person |
| 2019 | Jenna O'Hea involved in creating WNBL's “Lifeline Round” |
| 2020-2021 | Not held |
| 2022 | Kyle Vander-Kuyp |
| 2023 | Amy Parmenter, Netball Australia |
| 2024 | Serena Bonnell, Bowls Australia |

## AIS World's Best Award

This award may not be awarded annually.
| Year | Person |
| 2014 | Ric Charlesworth, Australian Hockey Coach |
| 2016 | Gary West, Australian Track Cycling Coach |

## AIS Service Award

This award may not be awarded annually.
| Year | Person |
| 2016 | Danielle Woodward (Canoeing) |
| 2017 | Glenn Tasker (Swimming/Paralympic sport) |
| 2018 | Dick Telford (Sports science / Athletics) |
| 2019 | Tim Oberg (parkrun Australia) and Robyn Smith (Sport Inclusion Australia) |
| 2024 | Phil Jones, Paddle Australia |

## Discontinued Awards
### AIS Athlete of the Year

Replaced in 2015 by Male and Female Athletes of the Year.
| Year | Athlete |
| 1983/84 | Karen Phillips (Swimming) |
| 1984/85 | Michele Pearson (Swimming) |
| 1985/86 | James Galloway (Rowing) |
| 1986/87 | Kerry Saxby (Athletics) |
| 1988/89 | Kerry Saxby (Athletics) |
| 1989 | Kerry Saxby (Athletics) |
| 1990 | Steve McGlede (Track Cycling) |
| 1991 | Linley Frame (Swimming) |
| 1992 | Clint Robinson (Flatwater Canoeing) |
| 1993 | World Junior Female Basketball Team Men's Track Cycling Pursuit Team |
| 1994 | Australian Women's Hockey Team |
| 1995 | Shane Kelly (Track cycling) |
| 1996 | Megan Still & Kate Slatter (Rowing) |
| 1997 | Louise Sauvage (Paralympic Athletics) |
| 1998 | Michael Klim (Swimming) |
| 1999 | Michael Klim (Swimming) |
| 2000 | Simon Fairweather (Archery) |
| 2001 | Petria Thomas (Swimming) & Philippe Rizzo (Gymnastics) |
| 2002 | Petria Thomas (Swimming) |
| 2003 | Nathan Baggaley (Canoeing) |
| 2004 | Petria Thomas (Swimming) & Ryan Bayley (Track Cycling) |
| 2005 | Peter Robinson (Triathlon) & Robin Bell (Slalom Canoeing) |
| 2006 | Philippe Rizzo (Gymnastics) |
| 2007 | Nathan Deakes (Athletics) & Anna Meares (Track Cycling) |
| 2008 | Ken Wallace (Flatwater canoeing) & Heath Francis (Paralympic Athletics) |
| 2009 | Brenton Rickard (Swimming) & Emma Moffatt (Triathlon) |
| 2010 | Lydia Lassila (Freestyle Skiing) |
| 2011 | Anna Meares (Track cycling) |
| 2012 | Alicia Coutts (Swimming) & Tom Slingsby (Sailing) |
| 2013 | Caroline Buchanan (Cycling) and Kim Crow (Rowing) |
| 2014 | Jessica Fox (Slalom canoeing) |

### AIS Program of the Year

Discontinued as AIS no longer operates sports scholarship programs.
| Year | coach |
| 2003 | AIS Diving |
| 2004 | AIS Diving |
| 2005 | AIS Triathlon |
| 2006 | AIS/South Australia.com Men's U23 Road Cycling |
| 2007 | AIS Sailing |
| 2008 | Australian/AIS Sailing Team |
| 2009 | AIS Under-23 Track Endurance/Road Cycling |
| 2010 | AIS Sailing |
| 2011 | AIS Track Cycling |
| 2012 | Australian Sailing Team Coaching Group |

### AIS Volunteer/Administrator Award

| Year | Person |
| 2014 | Bridie Galea |

### AIS Community Club Award

| Year | Person |
| 2014 | Wynyard Yacht Club |

## AIS Award - ACT Sports Star of the Year

From 1984 to 2013, ACTSPORT included an AIS Athlete of the Year for athletes on scholarship at the AIS Canberra campus.