Athletics, officials, administrators and coaches recognised at the NSW Athletics Annual Awards Dinner
Published Sun 24 May 2026
24 May 2026
Athletics, coaches, administrators and coaches recognised at the NSW Athletics Annual Awards Dinner
Last evening at the Novotel at Sydney Olympic Park, NSW’s athletes, coaches, officials and administrators were recognised at the annual awards dinner.
What was evident was nearly every finalist in the athlete event categories had reached the level of world championship representation – indicating an incredible high standard and depth of NSW athletics.
Two outstanding winners were Paralympian Mali Lovell and her coach Katie Edwards. For the third consecutive year, they were named Most Outstanding Senior Para Athlete of the Year and Para Athletics Coach of the Year, respectively.
It has been an outstanding few years for Mali, winning five global medals at four world championships. Along her side has been her coach Katie Edwards, who coaches successfully across both para and able-bodied. In addition to Mali, she has also put athletes like Olivia Inkster and Alice Dixon on National teams. Katie has been an Australian Para team coach for the last couple of years and in 2026 has been named to coach on the Commonwealth Games team for Glasgow.
Below is a full list of award winners. Over the weeks ahead, we will highlight more award winners.
David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Katie Edwards and Mali Lovel (image courtesy of Fred Etter)
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2025/26 Athletics NSW Annual Awards |
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Trophy |
Winner |
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2026 R.H. North/ W. Wilson Award for Most Outstanding Female Athlete |
Nicola Olyslagers (SYU) |
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2026 Richard Coombes Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Male Athlete |
Cameron McEntyre (SYU) |
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George Soper Memorial Award for Best Performance by a NSW Athlete at Australian Championships |
Delta Amidzovski (WOL) |
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2026 People's Choice Award |
Jessica Hull (BAN) |
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2026 Athlete of the Year - Sprints/Hurdles Events |
Sarah Carli (KEJ) |
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2026 Athlete of the Year - Race Walking Events |
Elizabeth McMillen (MWAS) |
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2026 Athlete of the Year - Throwing Events |
Mackenzie Little (SYU) |
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2026 Athlete of the Year - Combined Events |
Sarah Luxford (BLS) |
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2026 Most Outstanding Senior Para Athlete of the Year |
Mali Lovell (UTN) |
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2026 Most Outstanding Junior Para Athlete of the Year |
Telaya Blacksmith (SUT) |
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2026 Most Outstanding Junior Female Athlete of the Year |
Izobelle Louison-Roe (SGD) |
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2026 Most Outstanding Junior Male Athlete of the Year |
Isaac Beacroft (HIL) |
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2026 Most Outstanding Masters Male Athlete of the Year |
Mathew Woodhouse (NRC) |
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2026 Most Outstanding Masters Female Athlete of the Year |
Sally Stagles (MRA) |
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2026 Champion Club of the Year |
Bankstown Sports Athletics Club |
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Gibbs/Loomes Shield - 2026 Country Club of the Year |
Dubbo |
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2026 Club Development Program/ Initiative of the Year |
Hornsby District Athletics |
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2025 Winter Trophy |
Run Crew |
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2025/26 Treloar Shield |
Sydney University |
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2025 G.P.S. Parkes Memorial Award for Male Distance Runner of the Year |
Ben Bishop (SYU) |
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2025 Doris Magee Award for Female Distance Runner of the Year |
Danette Sheehan (RCR) |
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2025 Dorothy Dorsett Memorial Award for Male Distance Walker of the year |
Jack McGinniskin (MIN) |
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2025 Doris Clark Award for Female Distance Walker of the Year |
Grace Beck ((Ku-Ring-Gai LAC) |
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2026 Administrator of the Year (equal) |
Camilla Lister (MOS) |
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2027 Administrator of the Year (equal) |
Andrew Heil (SYU) |
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2026 Geoffrey Martin Official of the Year Award |
Kim Owens (AEA) |
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2026 Novice Official of the Year |
Richard Chen (BAL) |
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2026 Coach of the Year |
Matthew Horsnell (MRA) |
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2026 Para Athletics Coach of the Year |
Katie Edwards (UTN) |
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2026 Club Coach of the Year |
Ryan Dowling (UTN) |
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2026 Country Coach of the Year |
Ernie Shankelton |
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Recreational Running Coach of the Year |
Chris Truscott |
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2026 Nick Winter Memorial Award for Aspiring Triple Jumper |
Luke Vrataric (HAD) |
