NSWIS Most Outstanding: Ellie Cole AM Congratulations to Ellie Cole AM who was bestowed the honour of ‘NSWIS Most Outstanding. It is the greatest honour NSWIS can bestow upon an athlete and recognises the outstanding and personal contribution a NSWIS athlete has made to their respective sport. Ellie joins eight greats of Australian sport who have been bestowed this honour: Alyson Annan OAM, Bradley McGee OAM, Ian Thorpe AM, Liz Ellis AM, Louise Sauvage OAM, Matthew Mitcham OAM, Michael Milton OAM, and Kurt Fearnley AO.
NSWIS Awards Categories The NSWIS Awards bring athletes, coaches and staff together to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the past year. Featuring seven award categories, the event recognises individuals and programs that have demonstrated exceptional performance, leadership, commitment and impact throughout the 2025/26 season.
Ally Hickman Winter Sports Balanced the demands of high school with international competition and her first Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026, completing schoolwork and assessments while travelling and receiving a sporting excellence award from Sydney Catholic Schools. Achieved her first world cup podium at just 16 years old, finished fourth in the FIS Big Air Crystal Globe standings and placed seventh in the Olympic slopestyle final. Demonstrated emerging leadership through coaching young snowboarders at Thredbo Project Shred and a Red Bull development event, alongside community engagement through Sydney Children’s Hospital and Starlight.
Caitlin McManus-Barrett Rowing Balanced elite rowing with outstanding academic achievement, graduating from ANU with first class honours in physics and the Tuckwell Scholarship, completing a physics honours thesis and contributing to research published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances. Achieved multiple national titles and podium finishes before representing the Australia A Team internationally, winning back-to-back gold medals in the open women’s eight at the Holland Beker Regatta in the Netherlands, and selected as a reserve for world championships. Contributed to the rowing community as Boatshed Lead, Equipment Manager and a member of the Sydney Rowing Club Athlete Leadership Group, while working as a disability support worker to help a Para rower participate in training, competition and the broader rowing community.
Emma Bosco Winter Sports Demonstrated an outstanding commitment to her academic achievement alongside elite sport, studying an honours degree in mechanical engineering at UNSW as a Ben Lexcen Sports Scholarship holder, maintaining a distinction average and receiving a Vice-Chancellor’s Blues Award. Achieved the most significant sporting milestone of her career to date by competing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games (debut), finishing 15th in dual moguls and 21st in moguls. Contributed to the broader sporting community through the AOC’s Olympics Unleashed program, Starlight hospital visits and supporting the Thredbo and Perisher Junior Series Moguls competitions.
George Murphy Winter Sports Demonstrated excellence across academics, elite sport and career development, completing the IB diploma with a score of 44/45 – equivalent to a 99.75 ATAR – and currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance at UNSW. Established and scaled two businesses alongside his studies and sporting commitments, including an international tutoring agency that grew to 30 tutors and more than 60 active students. Debuted at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, finishing 16th in dual moguls and 29th in moguls.
Indra Brown Winter Sports In 2026, competed at her first FIS World Cup and Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, whilst maintaining an ‘A’ average across her high school subjects, receiving a school sporting excellence award and serving in school leadership roles. Demonstrated significant sporting progression at just 16 years old, winning three halfpipe world cup medals in her debut season and becoming Junior World Champion, before finishing fifth in halfpipe as the youngest Australian athlete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Demonstrated resilience, independence and adaptability through a challenging seven week school camp, living off-grid without technology and stepping outside her comfort zone while building stronger relationships with her peers.
Jackson Harvey Winter Sports Demonstrated exceptional academic achievement alongside elite sport, maintaining a 6.5/7 GPA with eight high distinctions while completing a double bachelor’s degree in environmental science and business, and was named Griffith University’s 2025 Academic Athlete of the Year. Achieved the biggest sporting milestone of his career by debuting at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, alongside receiving four Griffith University Blues Awards for sporting achievement. Advocated for environmental sustainability through Protect Our Winters, including supporting the National Alpine Adaptation Plan at Parliament House, while working with Be the Future to develop climate education content for Australian school students.
Alison Bombardier Winter Sports Led the NSWIS Para Winter Sports Program across Para snowboard, Para alpine and Para nordic, supporting athletes from emerging international competitors through to Paralympic medallists. Guided Ben Tudhope to his historic 50th world cup medal and two Paralympic medals. Supported Aaron McCarthy and Josh Hanlon to their first international podiums. Supported Lauren Parker’s transition to Para winter sport and four top-10 finishes on debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, contributing to a program that developed established champions and emerging athletes across multiple Para disciplines.
Jake Michael Canoe Sprint Led the NSWIS Canoe Sprint Program to sustained national and international success, with athletes winning multiple national titles and achieving podiums across junior and senior competitions. Guided NSWIS athletes through the pathway to major international results, including Natalia Drobot’s U23 world championships kayak single 500m gold, and senior world championships kayak doubles 500m silver with Kailey Harlen, and Dylan Littlehales’ Para canoe world championships kayak level 3 200m bronze. Strengthened the athlete pathway through the Narrabeen Performance Hub, supporting emerging athletes including Olivia Clues and Harrison Taurins to senior international debuts, while developing coaching capability across NSW through clinics and ‘Coach the Coach’ initiatives.
Kate Blamey & Peter McNiel Winter Sports Led athletes to 21 podium finishes, 41 top-10 results, and one FIS Crystal Globe trophy across the 2025-26 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup season, spanning emerging through to podium-ready athletes. Guided NSWIS athletes to three Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic medals, including gold for Jakara Anthony and Cooper Woods and bronze for Matthew Graham, while supporting the progression of emerging athletes including Charlotte Wilson, George Murphy, Jackson Harvey and Emma Bosco. Drove measurable performance gains through individualised performance planning, competition simulation, and Fulcrumtec performance analysis.
Myriam Fox Canoe Slalom Guided athletes to five medals across the 2025 and 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, including three gold, one silver and one bronze across women’s kayak, kayak cross and kayak team events. Coached Jessica Fox through rehabilitation and recovery from kidney surgery to three world championship titles and four world cup medals in 2026. Strengthened the broader high performance environment through collaboration with Paddle Australia’s performance support team, and mentoring three female coaches across rowing and canoe slalom with the Australian Institute of Sport.
Athletics The NSWIS Athletics Program showcased notable results and performance support. Ten NSWIS staff worked with at least one national athletics team, spanning biomechanics, physiotherapy, physiology, nutrition, and strength and conditioning. Athlete engagement with NSWIS performance services increased to 83 per cent. Nine athletes progressed from pathway categorisation into the medallist stream, contributing to significant international results. Since the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, NSWIS Athletics athletes have medalled at every world championship level and discipline contested – junior and senior, indoor and outdoor, track, race walk, and cross country. NSWIS athletes won 75 per cent of Australia’s medals at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, including its only gold; 50 per cent of Australia’s gold medals at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games; and 100 per cent of Australia’s gold and 50 per cent of its total medals at the World U20 Championships Oregon 26.
Canoe Sprint The NSWIS Canoe Sprint Program delivered strong international results across senior, Para and pathway competitions, including two silver medals at the 2025 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, a Para canoe world championships bronze, and U23 world championships gold. Built significant pathway depth, with guiding several athletes to selection across senior, Para, Junior/U23 and Asia Pacific teams, alongside five world cup medals across the 2025-26 seasons. Established itself as a benchmark across NSWIS for performance planning and multidisciplinary collaboration, achieving 100 per cent athlete performance plan completion and leading the adoption and development of innovative performance systems.
Skateboard The NSWIS Skateboard Program reached full scholarship capacity in its second year, with nine out of 12 athletes currently campaigning towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Delivered strong national and international results, including a top-10 finish at the 2026 World Skate Tour, one Australian park title, and national park bronze and street silver. Established a high performance environment that integrates NSWIS expertise with the national sport organisation and pathway, while preserving the individual coaching and culture unique to skateboarding.
Winter Sports The NSWIS Winter Sports Program has demonstrated outstanding athlete progression, particularly through its ability to successfully transition emerging talent onto the world stage. Strong NSWIS winter athlete cohort was highlighted at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter and Paralympic Winter Games – Cooper Woods’ breakthrough gold medal, Jakara Anthony becoming Australia’s most successful Winter Olympian, Ben Tudhope claiming 50 FIS World Cup medals and two Paralympic medals, and Lauren Parker’s six month transition from summer Para sports to winter Para sports. Actively encourages innovation across athlete preparation, performance delivery, and pathway development – leveraging international competition strategically to enable athletes with critical experience and confidence ahead of major competitions. Adopted a comprehensive scoring database and tracking system for coaches to analyse athlete’s scores from every FIS World Cup event dating back to almost 10 years, accompanied by wearable technology.
Women’s Water Polo The NSWIS Women’s Water Polo Program strengthened its contribution to the national pathway, with nine scholarship athletes selected for the Australian Stingers Team at the 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Finals, where they won bronze. Continued to develop emerging athletes through international competition opportunities, including a European tour to the Netherlands and Hungary, while NSWIS athletes now make up 61 per cent of the LA 2028 Olympic Games Stingers squad. Built a collaborative high performance environment connecting NSWIS, and the state and national sporting organisations, supported by an integrated multidisciplinary performance team.
Beau Mitchell Coach, Skateboarding Progressed from Skate Australia’s high performance program to leading the NSWIS Skateboard Program in 2025/26, leading athletes across both street and park disciplines. Supported NSWIS athletes to consistent semi-final and final appearances at world cups and world championships, with nine out of 12 scholarship holders selected to represent Australia for the 2026 World Skate Games. Strengthened the Australian skateboarding pathway through athlete and family mentorship at local skate parks, development of the domestic competition environment and a high performance culture built around trust, support and long-term progression.
Cooper Woods Winter Sports Staged a remarkable comeback from a serious knee injury to become Olympic Champion in moguls at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, demonstrating the ability to perform under extreme pressure on the world’s biggest sporting stage. Delivered a career-best performance in the final, breaking a points tie with Canada’s Mikaël Kingsbury, the most successful men’s moguls skier in history, to claim gold on turn score. Selected as Team Australia’s closing ceremony flag bearer in recognition of his performance, team spirit, and contribution to the national team. Key Achievements Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter gold medallist (moguls) – career-best performance on the sport’s biggest stage following a serious knee injury; Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games closing ceremony flag bearer for Team Australia.
Emma-Sue Greentree Boxing Competed at the highest level of international boxing while managing type-1 diabetes, and her career as a special and inclusive education teacher’s aide. Achieved five international podium finishes across 2025/2026, including 2025 World Boxing Championships bronze, 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals gold and two further podium finishes at other world cup & world ranking events in the 75kg division, and entering the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as world number one. Fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Champion whilst leading the Australian boxing team as its captain, where the team claimed six medals overall. Key Achievements 2026 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Australian boxing team captain; World Boxing Championships bronze medallist (2025); World Boxing Cup gold (2025) and bronze medallist (2026); Strandja Memorial Tournament silver medallist (2026).
Jakara Anthony OAM Winter Sports Entered the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games – her third Games – as world number one in moguls. Launched Team Australia’s Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games campaign with teammate Matthew Graham as opening ceremony flag bearer. Became the inaugural dual moguls Olympic Champion, Australia’s first-ever two-time Olympic winter gold medallist and most successful winter Olympian, after rebounding from a setback in moguls 72 hours earlier. Key Achievements Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter gold medallist (dual moguls) and opening ceremony flag bearer; won three FIS World Cup gold medals (moguls) and wore the yellow leader’s bib for the remainder of the season; won her seventh FIS Crystal Globe after finishing first overall in moguls.
Jessica Fox OAM Canoe Slalom Returned to international competition in May 2026, nine months after undergoing surgery for a kidney tumour. The operation cut short her 2025 season. Won four ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup events and secured two additional podiums, finishing the season world number one in kayak and world number two in canoe. Captured three world championship gold medals, becoming a 12-time individual World Champion. Key Achievements Tacen World Cup silver (kayak) medal, two gold (canoe and kayak) at the Prague World Cup, then won her third world cup gold of the season (canoe) in Augsburg. Won three gold medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Tamara Martens Head of Movement Science Identified and addressed a major gap in the NSWIS Sailing Program’s performance video workflow, working directly with coaches to understand the challenges of capturing, storing and analysing on-water footage. Designed and built The Rinser and SailWatch from scratch, using AI-assisted development tools to create an integrated platform that enables coaches to upload, tag, search, filter and compare performance footage across athletes and training sessions. Transformed an unresolved performance challenge into a scalable coaching capability, with Australian Sailing requesting the NSWIS platforms be introduced across its National Training Centre.
Ally Hickman Winter Sports Made her senior world cup debut at just 15 years old, before winning bronze in snowboard big air the following season to become the second-youngest Australian world cup medallist. Selected as the second-youngest member of the Australian team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Hickman finished seventh in snowboard slopestyle and 15th in snowboard big air on debut. Captured multiple top-10 finishes throughout 2025–26 FIS World Cup season, establishing herself among the world’s leading snowboard athletes. Key Achievements FIS World Cup bronze medallist in snowboard big air, becoming the second-youngest Australian World Cup medallist. Second-youngest member of the Australian team at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games – seventh in snowboard slopestyle and 15th in snowboard big air on debut.
Chloe Osborn Swimming Rapidly progressed to elite Para swimming after discovering the sport following a diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma, making her Australian debut in 2024. Won Paralympic silver at Paris 2024, before claiming gold, two silver, and a bronze medal at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships. Became national champion in the multi-class 100m Freestyle in 2026, before winning gold and silver on debut at the Para Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Key Achievements Paris 2024 Paralympic Games silver medallist (mixed 4×100 m freestyle relay 34pts), four-time World Para Swimming Championships medallist, 2026 national champion (multi-class 100m freestyle), and two-time Para Pan Pacific Swimming Championships medallist.
Grae Morris Sailing After winning Australia’s first Olympic windsurfing medal in over 30 years, Grae Morris achieved a successful post-Olympics campaign in 2025-26. In 2025, he became U23 World Champion, followed by 2026 French Olympic Week champion – one of the world’s leading Olympic-class regattas against an elite international fleet. Claimed silver at the 2026 Long Beach Olympic Regatta, alongside top-10 finishes at the European Championships, and is the current national champion in iQFOiL. Key Achievements U23 World Champion (2025), French Olympic Week champion (2026), iQFOiL national champion (2026), Sail Melbourne champion (2026), Long Beach Regatta silver medallist (2026).
Indra Brown Winter Sports Made her FIS World Cup debut at Secret Garden, China, less than two months before the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, claiming bronze in freeski halfpipe to become the youngest Australian winter world cup medallist and achieve the best-ever result by an Australian on world cup debut. One week later, she added silver at the FIS Copper Mountain World Cup before becoming the youngest Australian to win a FIS World Cup event with gold in Calgary. She was the youngest Australian athlete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and finished fifth in freeski halfpipe on debut. She was crowned Junior World Champion in freeski halfpipe less than two weeks after the Games. Key Achievements Youngest Australian winter world cup medallist (bronze) and winner (gold). Youngest X Games superpipe medallist (silver). Youngest Australian athlete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, finishing fifth in freeski halfpipe on debut. 2026 Junior World Champion in freeski halfpipe.
Issac Beacroft Athletics Won Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games gold in the 10,000m race walk, defeating reigning World Champion and defending Commonwealth Champion Evan Dunfee by more than a minute. At 19, Beacroft became the youngest athlete to win a race walk event in Commonwealth Games history. Just eight days later, he completed a senior-junior double by winning the 5,000m race walk at the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 in World U20 Record and Championship Record time. He was the only athlete to compete at both the Commonwealth Games and World U20 Championships. Earlier in the year, he claimed silver in the U20 10km race walk at the World Race Walking Team Championships and contributed to Australia’s bronze medal in the team competition. He also won the Australian Open 10,000m race walk title to secure automatic Commonwealth Games selection. Key Achievements Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games champion in the 10,000m race walk, World U20 Champion and World U20 Record Holder in the 5,000m race walk, World Race Walking Team Championships U20 silver medallist and team bronze medallist, Australian Open 10,000m champion, and youngest race walk champion in Commonwealth Games history.
Molly Picklum Surfing Dominated the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, wearing the yellow leader’s jersey for the majority of the season. Crowned 2025 WSL World Champion with a thrilling victory in a deciding third heat. Claimed three podium finishes and maintained a top-10 finish at every 2026 WSL Championship Tour event within the nomination period, finishing the period ranked world number four. Key Achievements Achieved nine top-three finishes out of 12 events on the 2025 WSL Championship Tour, including three first place wins. Regularly wore the yellow leader’s jersey in 2025 and became WSL World Champion. Claimed three podium finishes on the 2026 WSL Championship Tour and regular top-10 finishes, ranked fourth in the world.
Ben Tudhope Winter Sports Became the first Australian winter athlete – non-disabled or Para – to claim 50 FIS World Cup medals. Entered the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games – his fourth – ranked second in the world and was selected as Team Australia’s opening ceremony flag bearer. Secured Australia’s first medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games – a silver in snowboard cross SB-LL2 – after dislocating his shoulder in the quarterfinals. Added a bronze medal in banked slalom SB-LL2 five days later, becoming Australia’s sole medallist at two consecutive Paralympic Winter Games. Key Achievements Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games silver and bronze medallist (snowboard cross SB-LL2 & banked slalom SB-LL2). Claimed three FIS World Cup silver medals, becoming the first Australian winter athlete to claim 50 medals overall. Finished the season world number two in banked slalom SB-LL2.
Cooper Woods Winter Sports Staged a remarkable comeback from a serious knee injury to become Olympic Champion in moguls at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, demonstrating the ability to perform under extreme pressure on the world’s biggest sporting stage. Delivered a career-best performance in the final, breaking a points tie with Canada’s Mikaël Kingsbury, the most successful men’s moguls skier in history, to claim gold on turn score. Selected as Team Australia’s closing ceremony flag bearer in recognition of his performance, team spirit, and contribution to the national team. Key Achievements Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter gold medallist (moguls) – career-best performance on the sport’s biggest stage following a serious knee injury; Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games closing ceremony flag bearer for Team Australia.
Gordon Allan Cycling Completed a full set of medals at the 2025 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships, including his maiden world title and rainbow jersey in the mixed C1-5 team sprint. Entered the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games ranked world number two, setting a personal best and Games record in the C2 1000m time trial to claim silver on debut. Finished fourth in the C1-3 3km individual pursuit at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, improving his personal best by seven seconds. Key Achievements Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games silver medallist and Games Record holder (C2 1000m time trial). Achieved one bronze (C2 time trial), one silver (C2 sprint), and one gold (mixed C1-5 team sprint and rainbow jersey) at the 2025 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships.
Grae Morris Sailing After winning Australia’s first Olympic windsurfing medal in over 30 years, Grae Morris achieved a successful post-Olympics campaign in 2025-26. In 2025, he became U23 World Champion, followed by 2026 French Olympic Week champion – one of the world’s leading Olympic-class regattas against an elite international fleet. Claimed silver at the 2026 Long Beach Olympic Regatta, alongside top-10 finishes at the European Championships, and is the current national champion in iQFOiL. Key Achievements U23 World Champion (2025), French Olympic Week champion (2026), iQFOiL national champion (2026), Sail Melbourne champion (2026), Long Beach Regatta silver medallist (2026).
Matthew Graham Winter Sports Entered the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games – his fourth – ranked second in the world, following three FIS World Cup victories, and wore the yellow leader’s bib for one world cup stop. Launched Team Australia’s Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games campaign with teammate Jakara Anthony as opening ceremony flag bearer. Won Olympic bronze in the inaugral dual moguls event after finishing fifth in moguls. Won FIS World Cup gold just 13 days later, finishing the season ranked second in the world. Key Achievements Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter bronze medallist (dual moguls) and opening ceremony flag bearer. Achieved three FIS World Cup victories including two gold, was a yellow leader’s bib holder and finished the season second in the world (moguls).
Timothy Hodge OAM Swimming Became a three-time World Champion in 200m individual medley SM9 at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships, winning two gold medals and one silver across the competition. Entered the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games – his third – as Australia’s opening ceremony baton bearer and member of the swimming leadership team. Successfully defended his 100m backstroke S9 Commonwealth title and claimed bronze in 100m breaststroke SB9. One month later, Hodge won two silver medals at the Para Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Key Achievements Three-time World Champion in 200m individual medley SM9, three-time medallist at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships. Australia’s baton bearer at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games where he successfully defended his 100m backstroke S9 Commonwealth title, and claimed bronze in the 100m breaststroke SB9. Won two silver medals at the 2026 Para Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
Jakara Anthony OAM Winter Sports Entered the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games – her third Games – as world number one in moguls. Launched Team Australia’s Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games campaign with teammate Matthew Graham as opening ceremony flag bearer. Became the inaugural dual moguls Olympic Champion, Australia’s first-ever two-time Olympic winter gold medallist and most successful winter Olympian, after rebounding from a setback in moguls 72 hours earlier. Key Achievements Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter gold medallist (dual moguls) and opening ceremony flag bearer; won three FIS World Cup gold medals (moguls) and wore the yellow leader’s bib for the remainder of the season; won her seventh FIS Crystal Globe after finishing first overall in moguls.
Jessica Fox OAM Canoe Slalom Returned to international competition in May 2026, nine months after undergoing surgery for a kidney tumour. The operation cut short her 2025 season. Won four ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup events and secured two additional podiums, finishing the season world number one in kayak and world number two in canoe. Captured three world championship gold medals, becoming a 12-time individual World Champion. Key Achievements Tacen World Cup silver (kayak) medal, two gold (canoe and kayak) at the Prague World Cup, then won her third world cup gold of the season (canoe) in Augsburg. Won three gold medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Josie Baff Winter Sports Delivered a strong and consistent 2025-26 FIS World Cup season, securing three podiums and regular top-10 finishes throughout the season. Wore the yellow leader’s bib for one world cup stop and entered the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games – her second – as world number two. Overcame a disappointing 17th-place finish in qualification to claim Olympic gold in snowboard cross, cementing her place in history as Australia’s first Olympic Champion in the event. Finished fourth place with Adam Lambert in mixed team snowboard cross. Key Achievements Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter gold medallist (snowboard cross), achieved three FIS World Cup podium victories and was a yellow leader’s bib holder. Finished the season as world number two.
Molly Picklum Surfing Dominated the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, wearing the yellow leader’s jersey for the majority of the season. Crowned 2025 WSL World Champion with a thrilling victory in a deciding third heat. Claimed three podium finishes and maintained a top-10 finish at every 2026 WSL Championship Tour event within the nomination period, finishing the period ranked world number four. Key Achievements Achieved nine top-three finishes out of 12 events on the 2025 WSL Championship Tour, including three first place wins. Regularly wore the yellow leader’s jersey in 2025 and became WSL World Champion. Claimed three podium finishes on the 2026 WSL Championship Tour and regular top-10 finishes, ranked fourth in the world.
Nicola Olyslagers Athletics Dominated high jump in 2025 with back-to-back world indoor championships, before being crowned World Outdoor Champion in 2026. Named the 2025 World Athletics Women’s Field Athlete of the Year, Olyslagers became the second Australian in history to win a main World Athletics award. She capped off the 2025 season by winning the World Athletics Diamond League Final, setting a new Oceania Record, and ranked world number one. Key Achievements World Outdoor Champion (2025), world indoor silver medallist (2026), World Athletics Diamond League Final Champion (2025), World Athletics Women’s Field Athlete of the Year (2025), world number one (2025 & 2026), Oceania Record holder (2025), and Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games silver medallist.
