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Para Snowboard Star Named Paralympian Of The Year

Paralympics Australia

Milano Cortina 2026 dual medallist and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Ben Tudhope has been crowned Australia’s Paralympian of the Year at a ceremony hosted by Paralympics Australia in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Competing at his fourth Paralympic Winter Games, Tudhope – who was one of Australia’s Opening Ceremony flag bearers at the Games – won the silver medal in the snowboard cross SB-LL2 and captured bronze in the banked slalom SB-LL2.

“I don’t think a lot of people have won the Paralympian of the Year twice, so it’s an absolute honour to be part of Australian Paralympic history and to be such a profound member of the Winter Mob,” said Tudhope, who was also the 2022 Paralympian of the Year.

“There have been so many amazing athletes who have come before me in both the Summer and Winter team. To be recognised and honoured in such an incredible way like this, it takes my breath away.

“Milano Cortina – could we just take a second to talk about it? It was an absolute dream Games of mine, from holding the Australian flag at the Opening Ceremony to winning the silver and bronze medals. The memories, the highlights, everything there will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Tudhope was earlier named Male Athlete of the Year, while Lauren Parker – fellow NSWIS Para athlete and Australia’s 2024 Paralympian of the Year – was awarded Female Athlete of the Year after her stunning debut Winter Games, where she competed in Para cross-country skiing and Para biathlon, and secured four top 10 results.

Para snowboarder Aaron McCarthy (NSWIS) won Rookie of the Year and Para snowboard Head Coach Nickie Rodger claimed Coach of the Year.

Para Nordic skier Matt Brumby received the Uncle Kevin Coombs Spirit of the Games Award, which was presented by Mr Coombs’ daughter, Rose Falla.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of what this amazing team achieved in Milano Cortina,” Chef de Mission Ben Troy said.

“There was so much to celebrate – our second-largest team to compete at the Winter Games, our first Indigenous Winter Paralympian, our youngest ever female Winter Paralympian, our return to the Para Nordic sports after 20 years, and so much more.

“It’s extremely difficult to succeed at the Winter Paralympics, especially coming from Australia, but each and every member of this team performed brilliantly and made millions of Australians proud.

“I want to congratulate all the nominees and award winners and thank the whole squad for their efforts at Milano Cortina.”

The night also featured the induction of three towering figures in the Australian Paralympic Movement to the Paralympics Australia Hall of Fame.

Para alpine skier Bart Bunting, who won two gold medals and a silver medal at Salt Lake City 2002 and competed at Vancouver 2010, was inducted as an Athlete Member alongside Summer Games athlete Chris Scott.

One of Australia’s greatest Para cyclists, Scott won six gold, two silver and two bronze medals across six Paralympic Games between 1988 and 2008.

Also inducted to the Hall of Fame was celebrated administrator Nick Dean, who was Chef de Mission of the Australian Paralympic Winter Team at four Games and Assistant Chef de Mission at three Games, as well as Assistant Chef de Mission at two Summer Games.

Mr Dean was also a long-serving Board Director at what was then known as the Australian Paralympic Committee, including as Vice President from 2000 to 2013.

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Cameron Murray said the night was a chance to honour key contributors to the Australian Paralympic Movement and reflect on a successful Winter Paralympics campaign.

“Nights like this are what it’s all about,” Mr Murray said. “Celebrating outstanding performances, incredible dedication and inspirational resilience – the very best of Australian Paralympic sport.

“It’s also a chance for us to say thank you to our great supporters, including the Federal and State and Territory Governments, the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport, and our Member Organisations including Snow Australia and Biathlon Australia, with whom we worked so closely throughout this campaign.

“As a charity organisation, it’s also an opportunity for Paralympics Australia to acknowledge our major benefactors and the countless everyday Australians who donated to Paralympics Australia. Their support is instrumental to our work to create opportunities and build pathways for people with a disability to realise their sporting dreams.”

WINNERS AND NOMINEES

Paralympian of the Year – Winner: Ben Tudhope (NSWIS)

Male Athlete of the Year – Winner: Ben Tudhope (NSWIS)

Nominees: Ben Tudhope, Josh Hanlon

Female Athlete of the Year – Winner: Lauren Parker (NSWIS)

Nominees: Lauren Parker, Georgia Gunew

Rookie of the Year – Winner: Aaron McCarthy (NSWIS)

Nominees: Aaron McCarthy, Georgia Gunew, Dave Miln

Coach of the Year – Winner: Nickie Rodger

Nominees: Nickie Rodger, Ali Bombardier, Kaspar Wirz

Uncle Kevin Coombs Spirit of the Games Award – Winner: Matt Brumby

Hall of Fame Inductees: