People with disability have been recognised over the years through various honours and awards for their contribution to sport and society.
Awards and honours help define, encourage, and reinforce excellence. Australia has a system of honours and awards to recognise excellence, achievement, or meritorious service.
Australia’s honours system was established in 1975 with the creation of the Order of Australia, replacing the previous Imperial system of British honours that were phased out by the 1980's. 1
The Australian honours system has been designed to ensure anyone can nominate, opens in a new tab a member of the community for an award in the Order of Australia. Search for previous Order of Australia recipients The easiest way to find someone that has been recognised with an award is to search the Prime Minister and Cabinet database, opens in a new tab.
A number of elite athletes with disability have been recognised for their service to sport and the community through Australian of the Year award, opens in a new tab recognition. These include:
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame, opens in a new tab (SAHOF) recognises and promotes the outstanding sporting achievements of our sportspeople to preserve Australia’s rich sporting heritage. A number of sportspeople with disability have been recognised through various awards.
SAHOF Membership is divided into two categories: Athlete members, opens in a new tab (who have competed at the top level of competition available in their chosen sport), and General members, opens in a new tab (selected for excellence and outstanding achievements in roles supportive to sports participants such as administration, coaching/training, sports media/history, sports science/technology, and sports umpiring, refereeing, judging).
In 1993 the SAHOF introduced the 'Legends of Australian Sport, opens in a new tab' category for Members who have distinguished themselves at the absolute highest level and whose achievements are considered part of Australian folklore. A Member must be 15 years retired before being considered for elevation to the category.
In 1998 the SAHOF introduced the Don Award, opens in a new tab, named after Sir Donald Bradman. The Award honours a current Australian athlete who, by their achievements and example over the previous 12 months, are considered to have had the capacity to most inspire the nation.
The AIS Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs) celebrate outstanding achievements of athletes, teams, coaches, volunteers and leaders in Australian high-performance sport.
ASC Media Awards - Best coverage of sport for people with disability. This award recognises the best coverage of sport for people with disability. Entries can focus on the participation of people with disability in sport, including as grassroots participants, volunteers, elite athletes, officials, coaches and administrators.
Australian Paralympic Hall of Fame and Honor Roll, opens in a new tab. Paralympics Australia recognises the achievements of Paralympic athletes, coaches and administrators through several awards, including:
CBR Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, ACT Government. Celebrating the individuals and teams who have excelled with sporting achievements throughout the past 12 months.
ACT Hall of Fame, opens in a new tab, ACT Government. The ACT Sport Hall of Fame began in 1995 and has enabled athletes, officials, coaches and administrators from the region to be recognised for excellence in their field and their contribution to the sporting community.
NSW Champions of Sport, opens in a new tab, Sport NSW. These awards celebrate the year’s achievements of NSW athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and organisations, alongside the states greatest athletes as they join the NSW sporting hall of fame.
NSW Community Sports Awards, opens in a new tab, Sport NSW. Recognising outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW – largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.
NSWIS Awards, opens in a new tab, NSW Institute of Sport. Awards are given to recognise NSWIS’ top athletes, coaches, and programs across a range of categories.
NSWIS Most Outstanding, opens in a new tab, NSW Institute of Sport. The title ‘Most Outstanding’ is the greatest honour NSWIS can bestow upon one of its scholarship athletes. Its purpose is to recognise the outstanding and personal contribution a NSWIS athlete has made to their respective sport.
NSW Hall of Champions, opens in a new tab, Sydney Olympic Park. A sports museum and hall of fame, paying tribute to NSW's greatest athletes. Athletes must have represented NSW and been retired for two years to qualify.
NT Sports Awards, opens in a new tab, Northern Territory Government. These Awards recognise the achievements of athletes, coaches, sporting officials, and volunteers.
Queensland Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, QSport. The Queensland Sport Awards have been running since 1995, and serve to celebrate the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, and organisations on an annual basis.
Queensland Sport Hall of Fame, opens in a new tab, QSport. Distinguished individuals who excel in top-tier competition and make notable contributions to sport in Queensland. This includes high-level achievements through personal effort or innovative initiatives that contribute to athlete performances and elevate the status of sport in the region.
South Australian Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, Sport SA. Each year, these Awards honour those making outstanding contributions to sport in South Australia, as an individual or team athlete, coach, administrator or volunteer from metropolitan and regional areas, as well as recognising our state’s great events.
South Australian Sport Hall of Fame, opens in a new tab, Sport SA. Membership of the South Australian Hall of Fame represents the highest level of recognition. The Hall of Fame recognises and promotes the outstanding achievements of this State's greatest athletes and general members who have made significant contributions to South Australia.
South Australian Sports Institute Awards, opens in a new tab, South Australian Sports Institute (SASI). Awards recognise SASI’s top athletes, staff, and coaches across a range of categories, acknowledging their outstanding contributions and achievements in the previous 12 months.
Tasmanian Athlete of the Year, opens in a new tab, Tasmanian Government. Recognises outstanding performance based on the athlete’s international performance, their contribution to their sport, and to the Tasmanian sporting community.
Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame, opens in a new tab, Tasmanian Government. Honouring outstanding Tasmanians who have represented their State and nation with distinction, ensuring their sporting achievements receive recognition.
Victorian Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, VicSport. Each year, the Victorian Sport Awards honours those who have made an outstanding contribution to sport in Victoria as an individual or team athlete, coach, administrator, or volunteer from both metropolitan and regional areas.
Award of Excellence, opens in a new tab, Victorian Institute of Sport. The prestigious Award of Excellence is presented to a VIS athlete who has achieved outstanding sporting results during the year, while adopting a planned approach to sporting excellence, and contributing to the promotion and development of their sport.
WA Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, SportWest. The Awards enable the WA community to recognise excellence in sport and celebrate the achievements of WA sportspeople. The most prestigious sporting award that a West Australian athlete can win is The Sport Star Award. Many outstanding sportspeople have won this Award since it was first presented to Morna Pearce in 1956.
WAIS Excellence Awards, opens in a new tab, Western Australian Institute of Sport. The WAIS Athlete of the Year award has been annually presented since 1985.
Western Australia Hall of Champions, opens in a new tab, Western Australian Institute of Sport. Since 1985 the Hall of Champions has honoured Western Australia’s sporting greats.
IPC Awards, opens in a new tab, International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The IPC recognises and values the granting of awards as an important tool to give personal and public recognition to the achievements and contributions of those within the Paralympic Movement who contribute towards the IPC’s vision both on and off the field of play. The IPC encourages its members to identify and nominate suitable candidates for IPC awards, at the relevant time, and for any other relevant external award that increases the visibility of the Paralympic Movement. Awards include:
Is this information complete? The Clearinghouse for Sport is a sector-wide knowledge sharing initiative, and as such your contributions are encouraged and appreciated. If you would like to suggest a resource, submit a publication, or provide feedback on this topic, please contact us.