The South West Sydney Academy of Sport honoured the region’s top athletes, coaches, and volunteers at its 2025 Sports Awards dinner last Friday night.
The night recognised excellence across sporting performance, leadership, academic achievement, and community contribution.
The event, held in The Cube, Campbelltown Catholic Club, brought together dignitaries, sponsors, alumni, and sporting greats including NBL star Todd Blanchfield, WNBL athlete Piper Anderson, and Wests Tigers head of recruitment Shannon Gallant and NRL co-captain Apisai Koroisau.
Academy CEO Gerry Knights praised the award recipients:
“These awards celebrate not only sporting excellence, but the values of leadership, resilience, and contribution to our community,’’ he said.
“Our athletes, coaches, and volunteers represent the very best of South West Sydney sport.”
The major award winners were:
- Indigenous Person of the Year – AJ Coles (Baseball and Indigenous Athlete Program)
- Athlete with a Disability – Daniel Lill (Swimming) – third consecutive win
- Athlete of the Year – Isla Basa (BMX) – back-to-back winner, national champion and fourth at 2024 World Championships
- Chairperson’s Award – Zoe Bruce (Triathlon)
Volunteer and coaching excellence honours went to:
- Support Staff Member of the Year – Joanne McClure (Softball)
- Young Coach of the Year – Emily Paulic (Basketball)
- Coach of the Year – Marsheal Walker (Softball)
- QUBE Coach Recognition Awards honoured coaches for 3, 5, and 10 years of service, including Platinum recipient Jan Cleary (Netball)
Academic Achievement: Western Sydney University Award for Academic Excellence – Emily Paulic (3×3 Basketball)
Sport program coaches award highlights – athletes from across 15 sport programs were recognised for their commitment, performance, and development, including:
- Alexis Rootsey and Jake Diver – 3×3 Basketball
- AJ Coles – Baseball
- Ezaiah Edwards – Basketball
- Ethan Dogger – BMX
- Ariana Abella – Golf
- Hannah Robinson and Daniel Kitsoukilias – Hockey 16s
- Jasmine Scott and Darcy Ryder – Hockey 18s
- Isabella Stephens – Indigenous Athlete Program
- Aaliyah Ngatai-Te Pania – Netball Athlete
- Erin Ward – Netball Umpire
- Rose Santana and Jack Dougherty – Softball
- Matthew Fosse – Triathlon
- Chelsea Herborn and Jericho Anetelea – Volleyball
- Lachlan Orchard and Ava Olic – Wests Future Stars
- Ava Edwards – Wests Future Stars Para Athlete
