The incredible performances from athletes and sporting programs at the Tokyo Olympics have taken centre stage around the country as New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia held their institute of sport awards.
With the national institute network integral to developing athletes through pathways into elite world class competitors, their respective awards are a chance to reward the successes of the last year and recognise the immense work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes to reach the achievements seen in Tokyo.
In Sydney, Jess Fox won Female Athlete of the Year off the back of her gold and bronze Canoe Slalom medals in Tokyo, with the Canoe Slalom program also claiming Program of the Year. Fox shared athlete of the year with Paralympic champion Madison de Rozario.
A trio of NSWIS athletes that make up the re-dubbed Oarsome Foursome shared Male Athlete of the Year honours, with Jack Hargreaves, Alexander Purnell and Spencer Turrin rewarded for their drought-breaking Olympic gold in the men’s four. Kookaburra and Tokyo silver medallist Tim Brand also took out young player of the year.
In Queensland, Emma McKeon and Ash Barty shared the honours as joint Queensland Sports Star of the Year. McKeon dominated the pool in Tokyo, with her incredible seven medal haul vaulting her to Australia’s most decorated Olympian ever, while Ash Barty won Olympic bronze in the mixed doubles at Tokyo to go with her breakthrough Wimbledon victory.
The World Record-breaking Olympic champion women’s 4x100m Freestyle relay team was crowned Team of the Year, with 18-year-old Freestyler Mollie O’Callaghan, the youngest member of the Australian Olympic Team in Tokyo, took out Junior Sport Star of the Year.
Olympians Madonna Blyth from Hockey, Gail Miller from Water Polo and diver Matthew Mitcham were also inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame, and swimming coach Michael Bohl took out Queensland Coach of the Year.
In Perth, Laser sailor Matt Wearn’s gold medal winning Tokyo performance earned him the West Australian Institute of Sport Athlete of the Year honour.
Sailing coach and Sydney 2000 Olympic champion Belinda Stowell took out WA Coach of the year, while the Canoeing took out Program of the Year.
Congratulations to all winners, nominees, and everyone who contributed to the success of the sport institute programs that saw Tokyo become one of Australia’s most successful teams ever.
