Repeating as Able-Athletes of the year, the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony Flag Bearers from Swimming and Sailing respectively were celebrated among 11 fellow award winners at Centrepiece in Melbourne on Wednesday night.

Kaylee McKeown successfully defended her 100m and 200m backstroke Olympic titles in Paris, while also adding a silver medal as part of the women’s 4x100m medley relay and bronze in the 200m individual medley.

Matt successfully defended his Olympic title in the men’s dinghy in Marseille and also kicked off the year repeating as world champion in Adelaide.

Team of the Year went to Cycling's Conor Leahy, Kellan O'Brien, Oliver Bleddyn and Sam Welsford, who set a World Record on their way to becoming men's team pursuit Olympic champions in Paris.

Paddle Australia was recognised as the High Performance Program of the Year after recording their most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games, which included winning every female Paris Olympic gold medal on offer in Canoe Slalom. Outgoing Paddle Australia CEO Phil Jones received the Service to Sport award.

Arisa Trew, Australia's youngest ever Olympic champion, took out the Emerging Athlete of the Year honour for her high achieving year in park skateboarding.

Renowned swimming coach Dean Boxall was awarded Coach of the Year after his success in leading a team of 10 swimmers in Paris, including Ariarne Titmus, Mollie O’Callaghan, Elijah Winnington and Shayna Jack.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO Kieren Perkins OAM congratulated the winners and finalists and said the event was a wonderful way to reflect and celebrate the incredible achievements of Australian high performance sport in 2024.

“The performances we are celebrating tonight reflects our united commitment to winning well and inspire Australians,” Perkins said.

“There has been so many outstanding achievements this year across Australian high performance sport and I can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring as we look towards the Winter Olympics and Paralympics and Commonwealth Games in 2026, Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

“I’d also like to thank the Australian Government for their ongoing support of our athletes including record funding for high performance sport and commitment to upgrading the AIS Campus in Canberra which will provide us with a strong platform for future success."

2024 ASPAs award winners:

Female Able-Athlete of the Year: Kaylee McKeown, Swimming Australia
Male Able-Athlete of the Year: Matt Wearn, Australian Sailing
Team of the Year: Men’s Team Pursuit, AusCycling
High Performance Program of the Year: Paddle Australia
Emerging Athlete of the Year: Arisa Trew, Skate Australia
Coach of the Year: Dean Boxall, Swimming Australia
Service to Sport Award: Phil Jones, Paddle Australia
Performance of the Year: Lauren Parker, AusCycling & AusTriathlon
Female Para-Athlete of the Year: Lauren Parker, AusCycling & AusTriathlon
Male Para-Athlete of the Year: James Turner OAM, Athletics Australia
Community Engagement Award: Serena Bonnell, Bowls Australia
Sport Volunteer of the Year: Julie Keillor, Shepparton Canoe Club/Paddle Australia
Win Well Award: Bowls Australia