Paddle Australia has been named High Performance Program of the Year following its most successful Olympic and Paralympics Games ever at the AIS Sport Performance Awards.

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

13 awards were presented on the night, 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.

The High Performance Program of the Year award went to Paddle Australia after recording their most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games which included winning every female Paris Olympic gold medal on offer in canoe slalom thanks to Jess and Noemie Fox, while outgoing Paddle Australia CEO Phil Jones received the Service to Sport award.

Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane said: “This is a great chance to reflect, and celebrate success. We’ve had an incredible year, but the work that was done over the course of the cycle is what allowed everything this year to come to fruition.

“I’m just so proud and happy for our athletes, staff, coaches, volunteers, Board, executive and our organisation. It’s a collective effort, and to be recognised tonight in front of the system is quite remarkable, it was not expected.

“It’s been a phenomenal year for Australian sport, and for us to feel like we’ve made a contribution to that, I’m incredibly proud,” she said.

Upon receiving the Service to Sport Award, outgoing CEO Phil Jones said: “I’m just gobsmacked, it feels like I’m getting something for doing my job. But honestly, it’s been a privilege to be be involved in the three sports I worked with. I’m very pleased with the position of Paddle, particularly with some of the Awards we’ve received tonight.

“I also just want to thank my family for all the support, everybody I’ve worked with along the journey – there’s been some great people that have provided inspiration and helped generate excitement for what we do,” he said.

Paddle also took out the Sport Volunteer of the Year award with Julie Keillor from the Shepparton Canoe Club recognised for her work growing the club’s All Abilities Paddling Program and helping Para-athletes take to the water.

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