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Celebrating the 2026 NATSISA winners
Thirteen awards at the Sydney Cricket Ground recognised the achievements of First Nations athletes, teams and the people who make sport possible in their communities.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards (NATSISA) brought the sporting community together on Saturday 7 November. Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman AC was the special guest speaker, with Dean Widders and Bo de la Cruz hosting the evening.
The awards honoured two figures whose contributions span generations. Uncle Tony Mundine OAM received the National Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a life in boxing and his work mentoring young people in Redfern. Johnny Mullagh (Unaarrimin) received the National Trailblazer Award, recognising his place in Australian cricket history as a standout player on the 1868 Aboriginal team’s tour of England.
Boxer Callum Peters was named National Sportsperson of the Year, and the Fitzroy Stars Women’s Football Team took home National Sports Team of the Year. John Moriarty Football received the community sporting organisation award, while the UniSport Indigenous Nationals marked its 30th edition with the National Sports Competition Award.
The night also recognised excellence at different stages of an athlete’s career and the work that goes into coaching, officiating, volunteering and telling the stories of First Nations sport.
2026 award recipients
Award | Recipient | Supported by |
Sportsperson of the Year | Callum Peters | AFL |
Senior Elder Sportsperson | Christopher Hume | Dimeo Indigenous |
Junior Sportsperson | Leihani Zoric | The Female Co. |
Sportsperson with a Disability | Layla Sharp | First Peoples Disability Network Australia |
Sports Team of the Year | Fitzroy Stars Women’s Football Team | QUT (Queensland University of Technology) |
Sports Official | Jordan Kiss | National Indigenous Sports Foundation (NISF) |
Community Sporting Organisation | John Moriarty Football | NITV |
Sports Competition | 30th UniSport Indigenous Nationals 2026 | NRMA Insurance |
Sporting Volunteer | Aunty Emma Thomas | Confederation of Australian Sport (CAS) |
Sports Coach | Troy Williamson | Indigenous Sports Network (ISN) |
Sports Media | Bo de la Cruz | Koori Mail |
National Trailblazer | Johnny Mullagh | Indigenous Sports Network (ISN) |
National Lifetime Achievement | Uncle Tony Mundine OAM | Australian Sports Museum |
Congratulations to every recipient and finalist. The National Indigenous Sports Foundation thanks the award partners, judging panel and everyone who came together to celebrate First Nations sport.
Find out more about the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards.
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