Finalists named for Australian Sports Commission Performance Awards celebrating 2022
by Australian Institute of Sport 18 Nov 2022 02:51 PST
AIS Sport Performance Awards © Narelle Spangher
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.
Those interested in sailing will be pleased to see that one name has made the list; Ben Houston is one of the finalists in the running for the 'Award for Leadership'.
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 Sport 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:
Award for Leadership
- Andrew Faichney, Athletics Australia
- Ben Houston, Australian Sailing
- Jaime Fernandez, Rowing Australia
- Petria Thomas, Commonwealth Games Australia
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
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