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Finalists announced for the 2026 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards
Updated: 2 hours ago
The finalists for the 2026 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards (NATSISA) have been confirmed, recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations making their mark across Australian sport.
Thirty-three finalists have been named across 11 categories, spanning individual and team achievements, coaching, officiating, volunteering, sports media and community sport.
The winners will be announced on Saturday 7 November at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman AC will be the special guest speaker, with Dean Widders and Bo de la Cruz hosting the evening.
Presented by the National Indigenous Sports Foundation and managed by Indigenous Sports Network, the Awards recognise sporting achievement and the work that creates opportunities for others to participate.
Tickets and tables are available now. Join us in the Steve Waugh Room at the SCG to celebrate the finalists and see the 2026 recipients announced.
Images from previous years of the awards
2026 finalists
National Sportsperson of the Year
Supported by AFL.
Caitlyn Costello — Rugby Union
Calab Law — Athletics
Callum Peters — Boxing
National Senior/Elder Sportsperson of the Year
Supported by Dimeo Indigenous.
Adrian “Ringo” Morgan — Australian Rules Football
Christopher Hume — Masters Boxing
Julie Phillips — Endurance Running
National Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Supported by The Female Co.
Atticus Ware — American Football
Bonnie Rose — Hockey
Leihani Zoric — Surfing
Sportsperson with a Disability Award
Briseis Brittain — Para Athletics
Layla Sharp — Para Athletics
Terrence Conway “RJ” — Motorcycling
National Sports Team of the Year
Supported by Queensland University of Technology.
Clifton Hill — Jiu-jitsu
Fitzroy Stars Women’s Football Team — Australian Rules Football
TRIMOB's Mob the Marathon — Marathon Running
National Sports Official of the Year
Balunn Simon — Rugby League
Jordan Kiss — Netball
Joshua James — AFL Umpire
National Community Sporting Organisation of the Year
Supported by National Indigenous Sports Foundation
Fitzroy Stars Football Netball Club — Netball
John Moriarty Football — Football (Soccer)
Koorie Academy — Basketball
National Sporting Competition of the Year
Supported by NRMA.
2026 WA NAIDOC Basketball Carnival — Basketball
30th UniSport Indigenous Nationals 2026 — University Sport
Kurrung Sports Carnival (Northern Territory)
National Sports Volunteer of the Year
Supported by Confederation of Australian Sport.
Arika Appleby — LESSSGO Running Club
Aunty Emma Thomas — Bunurong Sporting Club
Helen Archibald — Fitzroy Stars Football Netball Club
National Sports Coach of the Year
Supported by Indigenous Sports Network.
Chris Arnott — Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Luke Penrith — Basketball
Troy Williamson — Hockey
National Sports Media Representative of the Year
Supported by Koori Mail.
Bo De La Cruz — NITV
Michael Rennie — NITV
Torres Strait Islander Media Association (TSIMA)
Special honours
The National Trailblazer of the Year, supported by Media Partner Sponsor NITV, and the National Lifetime Achievement Award, supported by Bronze Sponsor Australian Sports Museum, will be announced on the night.
Support the 2026 Awards
Three award sponsorship opportunities remain available: National Sports Official of the Year, National Community Sporting Organisation of the Year and the Sportsperson with a Disability Award.
Organisations interested in supporting these awards can contact Nathan Lovett-Murray at nathan@indigenoussports.com.au to discuss the available opportunities.
Thank you to Gold Sponsor The Female Co, Silver Sponsor Queensland University of Technology, and all confirmed sponsors and partners for supporting the 2026 Awards.
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