NSW Athletes Shine at Prestigious Awards Night 

Two-time Paris Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox is one of many high-achieving NSW athletes in contention for a prestigious New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Award. 

The 2024 NSWIS Awards not only celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Institute’s scholarship athletes and their coaches on the international stage, but also acknowledge their dedication to pursuing education, a commitment to the community or volunteerism. 

The athletes’ performances have been amplified this year by the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games where NSWIS athletes returned home with a total of 12 Olympic medals and 15 Paralympic medals. The triumphs of NSWIS’s winter athletes, who dominated the 2023/24 northern hemisphere season, will also be placed under the spotlight. 

Fox, regarded as the world’s greatest paddler, is vying for the coveted Female Athlete of the Year Award alongside an impressive field which includes her younger sister – and Olympic gold medallist – Noemie; history making moguls skier Jakara Anthony, who won 14 gold medals from 16 world cup starts; gold medal BMX Saya Sakakibara, and the tenacious Lauren Parker, the first Australian in 48 years to win Paralympic gold medals in two different sports: Para triathlon and Para cycling. 

The NSWIS Awards – which will be presented at a gala ceremony at The Star Monday 4 November – also acknowledge the Institute’s Male Athlete of the Year, Young Athlete of the Year, Program of the Year, Coach of the Year, Outstanding Achievement, and Personal Excellence. 

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper praised the exceptional talent among the finalists. 

“The NSWIS Awards highlight the dedication and success of our athletes, coaches, staff and support programs during what has been a tremendously successful Olympic and Paralympic year,” Mr. Kamper said.  

“We’ve witnessed many historic sporting moments and I’m continually inspired by the determination, hard work and commitment of our athletes as they set new records and pave the way for future generations.” 

Tim Hodge, who won two Paralympic gold medals and a silver in the swimming pool, is in a hot field of contenders for the Male Athlete of the Year award. It includes Olympic silver medallist and sailor, Grae Morris, boccia’s silver medallist Daniel Michel, along with canoeists Dylan Littlehales, who won a Paralympic silver medal and Riley Fitzsimmons who won an Olympic silver medal. 

NSWIS CEO Professor Kevin Thompson noted that the 22 athletes and six coaches who were recognised as finalists for this year’s Awards, reflects the impressive depth and the quality of sporting talent in NSW. 

“It has been another remarkable year for NSWIS athletes, who have excelled on the international stage. It’s wonderful to come together and celebrate everyone’s achievements,” Professor Thompson added. 

For more information about the NSW Institute of Sport Award finalists, please visit the Institute’s website. 

The award categories and finalists for 2024 are:  

NSW Office of Sport Female Athlete of the Year: Jakara Anthony, Jessica Fox, Lauren Parker, Noemie Fox, Saya Sakakibara 

Valour Male Athlete of the Year: Daniel Michel, Grae Morris, Dylan Littlehales, Riley Fitzsimmons, Tim Hodge 

Southern Young Athlete of the Year: Ellie Cole, Grae Morris, Jamieson Leeson, Mali Lovell, Olivia Wunsch and Sienna Hearn, Sienna Green & Matilda Kearns 

Sydney Olympic Park Authority Program of the Year: Athletics, Canoe Slalom, Winter Sports, Women’s Water Polo 

Coach of the Year: Arthur Brett, Matt Horsnell, Misha Payne, Peter McNiel & Kate Blamey, Myriam Fox, Rebecca Rippon

Ian Thorpe AM Outstanding Achievement presented by Powerade: Jakara Anthony, Jessica Fox, Lauren Parker, Saya Sakakibara, Shane Rose, Tristan Knowles

NSW Institute of Sport Personal Excellence: Ellie Cole, Georgina Rowe, Jamieson Leeson, Mackenzie Little, Melissa Wu, Tim Hodge 

NSWIS