Burton and Elliott in line for more awards

Last week they were the stars of the NSWIS Awards and now Tom Burton and Maddison Elliott are in line to pick up more hardware following their nominations for the 2016 AIS Sport Performance awards.

Athletes and teams from 15 sports have been selected as finalists for the awards, with winners to be announced at a gala dinner at The Star, Sydney, on 14 December.

Sailor Burton, who stormed to the gold medal in the Laser class at the Rio Olympic Games, is one of four finalists in the Male Athlete of the Year category, while Paralympic swim-star Elliott is a finalist in the Para Performance of the Year.

Other NSWIS athletes in with a chance of further glory include wheelchair rugby players Ryley Batt, Andrew Edmondson and Cameron Carr.

The trio were integral members of the Australian Steelers team that won a second straight Paralympic gold medal, with the team earning nominations in the Para Performance of the Year and International Team of the Year categories.

Another NSWIS athlete, teenage 400m runner Jessica Thornton, a finalist in the 4x400m relay in Rio, is nominated in the Emerging Athlete category.

Acting Australian Sports Commission CEO Matt Favier said: ‘It’s fantastic to see the variety of sports and athletes represented as finalists in the AIS Sport Performance Awards and it’s reflective of the widespread talent and opportunity in Australian sport.

‘You only need to look at the rugby union finalists to see a great example of opportunity in Australian sport. The Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens team made history in Rio by claiming the first Olympic gold medal in their sport, while our Australian Men’s Wheelchair Rugby team – the Steelers – defended their Paralympic gold medal in Rio in thrilling fashion.

‘The AIS Sport Performance Awards is an opportunity for the Australian sport sector to come together and celebrate remarkable achievements.’