The incredible achievements from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have dominated the list of finalists for this year’s Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs). 

The ASPAs are the only annual national awards that celebrates the outstanding achievements of athletes, teams, coaches, volunteers and leaders in both Able and Para Australian high performance sport. 

A total of 13 awards will be presented at the gala event on Wednesday 4 December in Melbourne, with the finalists judged not only on their success on the sporting arena, but also how they bring Australian sport’s united commitment of “we win well to inspire Australians” to life. 

Nominated by sports, the 50 finalists represent 19 different sports, with female athletes, coaches and administrators making up more than half of the candidates vying for top honours in 2024. 

The battle for Performance of the Year will be especially tight, with the six finalists responsible for some of the most memorable moments from the 2024 Games. 

Swimmers Ariarne Titus and Kaylee McKeown both feature after winning four and five medals respectively in Paris, as does NSWIS athlete Saya Sakakibara following her heart-warming gold medal triumph in BMX racing. 

They will face stiff competition from the other three finalists; NSWIS athlete Lauren Parker and her history making double gold in cycling and triathlon, cyclist Grace Brown, who began the Paris party with Australia’s first gold medal, and Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager who won Australia’s first-ever Paralympic rowing gold in the PR3 Mixed Double Team. 

Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said the 2024 ASPAs finalists show there is plenty to celebrate in Australian sport. 

“2024 in sport has been a resounding success however you measure it,” Mr Perkins said. 

“Australian high performance sport has never been so united through our commitment to the Win Well Strategy and the results of the past 12 months show we are on the right track with our home Games in Brisbane now just eight years away. 

“While it’s no surprise our Olympians and Paralympians from Paris have dominated the list this year, it is pleasing to also see our winter and Commonwealth Games sports represented as they build-up to pinnacle events 2026. 

“Congratulations to all our finalists. I look forward to celebrating what has been achieved next month.” 

For the third consecutive year, the ASPAs will also include the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award, in recognition of the crucial role volunteers play in Australian sport. 

For more information about the ASPAs and the 2024 finalists, visit www.ais.gov.au/events/aspas  

2024 AIS Sport Performance Awards Finalists 

Performance of the Year 

Ariarne Titmus, Swimming Australia 

Australian PR3 Mixed Double Team, Rowing Australia 

Grace Brown, AusCycling 

Kaylee McKeown, Swimming Australia 

Lauren Parker, NSWIS, AusCycling and AusTriathlon 

Saya Sakakibara, NSWIS AusCycling 

Female Able-athlete of the Year 

Ariarne Titmus, Swimming Australia 

Jakara Anthony, NSWIS, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia 

Jessica Fox, NSWIS, Paddle Australia 

Kaylee McKeown, Swimming Australia 

Female Para-athlete of the Year 

Alexa Leary, Swimming Australia 

Lauren Parker, NSWIS, AusCycling and AusTriathlon 

Qian Yang, Table Tennis Australia 

Vanessa Low, Athletics Australia 

Male Able-athlete of the Year 

Cameron McEvoy, Swimming Australia 

Keegan Palmer, Skate Australia 

Matt Wearn, Australian Sailing 

Male Para-athlete of the Year 

James Turner, Athletics Australia 

Thomas Gallagher, Swimming Australia 

Timothy Hodge, NSWIS, Swimming Australia 

Coach of the Year 

Christine MacLaren, Rowing Australia  

Dean Boxall, Swimming Australia 

Myriam Fox, NSWIS, Paddle Australia 

Peter McNiel, NSWIS, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia 

Emerging Athlete of the Year 

Arisa Trew, Skate Australia 

Callum Simpson, Swimming Australia 

Grae Morris, NSWIS, Australian Sailing 

Korey Boddington, AusCycling 

High Performance Program of the Year 

Athletics Australia High Performance Unit 

Dolphins, Swimming Australia 

Paddle Australia 

Surfing Australia 

Team of the Year 

4x100m Women’s Freestyle Relay team, Swimming Australia 

Aussie Stingers, Water Polo Australia 

Men’s K4 500, Paddle Australia 

Men’s Team Pursuit, AusCycling 

PR3 Mixed Double Sculls, Rowing Australia 

Win Well Award 

Athletics Australia High Performance Program 

Bowls Australia 

CombatAUS 

Gymnastics Australia High Performance Team 

Sport Volunteer of the Year Award 

Brendon Oliver-Ewen, Hobart OUT Tennis / Tennis Australia 

Cristelle Mulvogue, Collingwood Park Power AFC / AFL 

David Conran, Centenary Archers Club / Archery Australia 

Julie Keillor, Shepparton Canoe Club /Paddle Australia 

Community Engagement Award 

Felicity Turner, Skate Australia 

Nikki Ayers, Rowing Australia 

Rhydian Cowley, Athletics Australia 

Serena Bonnell, Bowls Australia 

Service to Sport (NB: winner to be announced on Wednesday 4 December 2024)