Finalists announced for 2023 AIS Sport Performance Awards

24 November 2023

World champions from across swimming, netball, athletics and paddle are just some of the incredible athletes being recognised as finalists for the 2023 AIS Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs).

The ASPAs are the country’s only national awards that celebrate the best and brightest across both able and para sport, with many of the achievements of the 2023 nominees a sign of what Australian sport fans can look forward to at next year’s Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Hosted by Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian Ellie Cole and Olympian Matthew Denny, the ASPAs feature finalists from 26 sports and sporting organisations, including Olympic paddler Jess Fox, the Australian Netball Diamonds, swimmers Mollie O'Callaghan and Alexa Leary, and the undefeated Boccia BC3 Pairs.

Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said the 2023 ASPAs finalists shows the depth and breadth of talent in Australian sport.

“We are so lucky to have such incredible athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials, and sports representing Australia on the world stage. The ASPAs are our opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many outstanding podium performances over the past 12 months,” Mr Perkins said.

“The actions of our athletes this year will live on in the memories of a generation of Australians.

“The ASC is proud to support you on your journey to win well and inspire Australians.”

The award criteria for this year’s awards were not only based on podium performances but also the values that reflect the Australian high performance sport system’s united commitment to win well.

The Win Well Award encapsulates this commitment and will be a highlight of the night, as well as the Volunteer of the Year Award which recognises the important role this cohort plays across the sport sector.

The ASPAs winners will be announced in Melbourne on November 29.

2023 AIS Sport Performance Award Finalists

FEMALE PARA ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

• Katja Dedekind, Swimming Australia
• Lauren Parker, AusTriathlon & AusCycling
• Amanda Reid, Snow Australia
• Maria Strong, Athletics Australia
• Qian Yang, Table Tennis Australia

FEMALE ABLE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

• Jess Fox, Paddle Australia
• Nina Kennedy, Athletics Australia
• Kaylee McKeown, Swimming Australia
• Mollie O'Callaghan, Swimming Australia

MALE PARA ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

• Rowan Crothers, Swimming Australia
• Christopher Davis, Archery Australia
• Daniel Michel, Boccia Australia
• Jake Fehlberg, Bowls Australia
• Ben Tudhope, Snow Australia
• James Turner, Athletics Australia

MALE ABLE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

• Cameron McEvoy, Swimming Australia
• Sam Short, Swimming Australia
• Cassiel Rousseau, Diving Australia
• Matt Wearn, Australian Sailing

COACH OF THE YEAR

• Paul Burgess, Athletics Australia
• Myriam Fox, Paddle Australia
• Stacey Marinkovich, Netball Australia
• Rohan Taylor, Swimming Australia

EMERGING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

• Josie Baff, OWIA
• Emma-Sue Greentree, Boxing Australia
• Alexa Leary, Swimming Australia
• Leon Sejranovic, Australian Taekwondo

HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

• Athletics Australia High Performance Unit
• Dolphins, Swimming Australia
• Jackaroos, Bowls Australia
• OWIA
• Paddle Australia

WIN WELL AWARD

• Archery Australia
• Commonwealth Youth Games Team
• Golf Australia HP Program
• NSW Institute of Sport
• Paddle Australia

TEAM OF THE YEAR

• Australian Diamonds
• BC3 Pairs, Boccia Australia
• Canoe Slalom Women’s Kayak
• Mixed 4x2000m Relay Team, Athletics Australia
• Jackaroos
• Hockeyroos

PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

• Jess Fox, Paddle Australia
• Mollie O'Callaghan, Swimming Australia
• Lauren Parker, AusTriathlon and AusCycling
• Cassiel Rousseau, Diving Australia
• Ariarne Titmus, Swimming Australia
• Matthew Wearn, Sailing Australia

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD

• Serena Bonnell, Bowls Australia
• Amy Parmenter, Netball Australia
• India Robinson, Surfing Australia
• Melissa Tapper, Table Tennis Australia

AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP

• Jessica Corones, Swimming Australia
• Paul Kiteley, Wheelchair Rugby
• Stacey Marinkovich, Netball Australia
• Gary Willis, Bowls Australia

SPORT VOLUNTEER AWARD

• Cally Bauman, Special Olympics
• Jennifer Kenny, Surf Life Saving Australia
• Nicole Mitchell, Football Australia
• Elysa Oliveri, Cricket Australia

Australian swimmer Mollie O'Callaghan