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Recognised for her contribution to youth sport and education, three-time tennis grand slam singles champion Ash Barty has been named Person of the Year at the 2022 National NAIDOC Week Awards.
Barty, a member of the Ngarigo people, was celebrated for her sporting achievements and role as an ambassador who encourages Indigenous youth to get active, explore their passion and play tennis.
Barty is the second female Australian tennis player to be ranked number one in the world in singles by the Women's Tennis Association, after fellow Indigenous Australian Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
In 2018, Barty became the National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador at Tennis Australia.
She is also an ambassador for the State Library of Queensland, where she supports Indigenous education.
Barty said she was humbled to receive the award.
"I can't wait to continue my contribution to youth sport and education," she said.
"Helping inspire kids to go after their dreams is something I am very passionate about and I am committed to giving back in this next chapter of my life."
Sydney Swans forward Lance "Buddy" Franklin was also recognised with the Sportsperson Award.
Franklin recently kicked his 1,000th AFL career goal, becoming just the sixth person in the sport's history to pass the milestone.
NAIDOC Week will run from July 3-10 and this year's theme is "Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!".
It celebrates the history of fighting for progress and urges all Australians to continue to push for systemic change.
Originally from ABC News