Finalists named for AIS Awards celebrating 2022
Finalists have been named for the AIS Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs), which return this December to celebrate the incredible achievements of Australian high performance athletes and sports in 2022.
18 November 2022
Finalists have been named for the AIS Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs), which return this December to celebrate the incredible achievements of Australian high performance athletes and sports in 2022.
The winners of each category will be announced at a black-tie function in Sydney on Thursday 15 December 2022.
Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM congratulated the finalists across the 12 award categories, who will be honoured at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday December 15.
“The ASPAs is a true celebration of Australian high performance sport and the fact we have more than 20 different sports represented across the award categories is a reminder of how many wonderful moments we’ve experienced this year,” Mr Perkins said.
“We were privileged to start 2022 by cheering on our Winter Olympians and Paralympians in Beijing, while only a few months ago the nation was inspired by Australia topping the medal tally at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“I want to thank the sports who have nominated these performances and also our judging panel, including representatives from the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and Commonwealth Games Australia.”
“It has been a brilliant way to kick-start our green and gold decade towards Brisbane 2032 and I look forward to celebrating with all our finalists and friends across sport next month.
Two new awards have been added this year, the Win Well Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award, which pays tribute to the vital role volunteers play at all levels in Australian sport.
The winners of each category will be announced at a black-tie function in Sydney on Thursday 15 December 2022.
Full list of the 2022 ASPA Finalists:
Female Athlete of the Year
Alyssa Healy, Cricket Australia
Charlotte Caslick, Rugby Australia
Jakara Anthony OAM, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Jessica Stenson, Athletics Australia
Liz Watson, Netball Australia
Female Para-athlete of the Year
Emily Petricola, AusCycling
Jessica Gallagher, Rowing Australia
Katja Dedekind, Swimming Australia
Qian Yang, Table Tennis Australia
Male Athlete of the Year
Cam Smith, Golf Australia
Kieran Woolley, Skate Australia
Scott James, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Zac Stubblety-Cook, Swimming Australia
Male Para-athlete of the Year
Ben Tudhope, Snow Australia
Col Pearse, Swimming Australia
Ryley Batt, Wheelchair Rugby/Paralympics Australia
Tim Hodge, Swimming Australia
Coach of the Year
Alexander Stewart, Athletics Australia
Brad Dubberley, Wheelchair Rugby/Paralympics Australia
Peter McNiel and Kate Blamey, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Tim Walsh, Rugby Australia
Emerging Athlete of the Year
Donnell Wallam, Netball Australia
Maddison Levi, Rugby Australia
Nina Kennedy, Athletics Australia
Valentino Guseli, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
High Performance Program of the Year
Athletics Australia
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
The Australian Dolphins, Swimming Australia
Wheelchair Rugby, Paralympics Australia
Award for Leadership
Andrew Faichney, Athletics Australia
Ben Houston, Australian Sailing
Jaime Fernandez, Rowing Australia
Petria Thomas, Commonwealth Games Australia
Team of the Year
Australian Steelers Wheelchair Rugby Team/Paralympics Australia
Australian Women’s Cricket Team, Cricket Australia
Hockeyroos, Hockey Australia
Women's Rugby 7s, Rugby Australia
Community Engagement Award
Caitlin Ward, AusCycling
Carol Cooke, AusCycling
Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Athletics Australia
Rhydian Cowley, Athletics Australia
Win Well Award
Athletics Australia
Golf Australia
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Victorian Institute of Sport
Sport Volunteer of the Year Award
Nicole Williams, Cricket Australia
Amanda Bowman, Golf Australia
Tea-Rose Passon, Surf Life Saving Australia
Theodora Niakolas, Special Olympics Australia