NATSISA 2025: National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards Honour Indigenous Excellence

Brisbane, Queensland – Saturday 15 November 2025 – The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards

(NATSISA) brought together athletes, community leaders, and supporters from across the country for a powerful evening of celebration and recognition in Brisbane. The annual event shone a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and sporting organisations.

A NIGHT OF INDIGENOUS EXCELLENCE IN SPORT

This year’s NATSISA ceremony honoured trailblazers and rising stars whose contributions inspire communities nationwide. The event reflected the strength, pride, and cultural significance of Indigenous participation in sport, acknowledging those who excel on and off the

field.

AWARD WINNERS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

The award winners of the night included:

• NATIONAL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR: TAMIKA UPTON

  Sponsored by Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

  
  

• NATIONAL SENIOR ELDER OF THE YEAR: COASTAL EMU’S OLYMPICS TEAM MACLEAN

  Sponsored by First Peoples’ Health & Wellbeing

  
  

• NATIONAL JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR: LANDEN SMALES

  Sponsored by The Female Co

  
  

• NATIONAL SPORTSPERSON WITH A DISABILITY OF THE YEAR: KATELYN SMITH

  Sponsored by AG Coombs

  
  

• NATIONAL COMMUNITY SPORTING ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR: ARRERNTE COMMUNITY BOXING ACADEMY

  Sponsored by the Queensland University of Technology

  
  

• NATIONAL SPORTING COMPETITION OF THE YEAR: MURRI RUGBY LEAGUE CARNIVAL

  Sponsored by the Indigenous Sports Network

  
  

• NATIONAL SPORTS OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR: JAMES DEAN

  Sponsored by AFL

  
  

• NATIONAL SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR: FITZROY STARS

  Sponsored by Coles

  
  

• NATIONAL SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR: DAVID WILLIAMS

  Sponsored by the Confederation of Australian Sport

  
  

• NATIONAL SPORTS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: APRIL LE SEUR

  Sponsored by the National Indigenous Sports Foundation

  
  

• NATIONAL SPORTS MEDIA OF THE YEAR: CHARLIE KING

  Sponsored by NITV

  
  

• NATIONAL SPORTSPERSON LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARDS: EVONNE GOOLAGONG CAWLEY

  Sponsored by Australian Sports Museum

  
  

• NATIONAL SPORTSPERSON TRAILBLAZER OF THE YEAR AWARD: LYDIA WILLIAMS

  Sponsored by Koori Mail

THE INDIGENOUS SPORTS NETWORK, NATHAN LOVETT-MURRAY

Co-event organiser Nathan Lovett-Murray reflected on the significance of the event, sharing the same words that continue to encapsulate the spirit of the Awards: “an amazing night of black excellence in sport. The highlights being Lydia Williams acknowledgement as the Trailblazer of the Year, and Evonne Goolagong Cawley receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. Thanks to all

the sponsors who supported this great event, and can’t wait to see it again next year.”

A GROWING LEGACY

The success of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards highlights not only the outstanding contributions of Indigenous athletes but also the importance of celebrating identity, culture, and community through sport. As preparations begin for next year’s event, organisers look forward to elevating even more inspiring stories from across the country.

Find out more about the event here.