Athletics nominated for seven AIS Performance Awards

Some of the biggest names and contributors to Australian athletics in 2022 have been named as finalists for the prestigious AIS Sport Performance Awards.

In a year which included four major championships including the World Athletics Indoor Championships, followed the World Athletics Championships Oregon 2022, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and the World Athletics Under 20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, the sport received an astounding seven nominations for athletes, coaches, administrators and programs.

Off the back of her gold medal victory and history making performance at the Commonwealth Games this year, marathoner Jessica Stenson (Adam Didyk) was named as a finalist for Female Athlete of the Year, while World Championships bronze medallist, pole vaulter Nina Kennedy earned a nomination for Emerging Athlete of the Year.

Athletics Australia Event Group Lead for High Jump, Alex Stewart was among four nominees for Coach of the Year after an incredible year which saw Australian record holder Eleanor Patterson become world champion and a silver medallist at the World Athletics Indoor Championships and Commonwealth Games. Stewart’s work in 2022 also included coaching Brandon Starc to Commonwealth Games silver after a season which included a string of injuries.

Olympic race walker Rhydian Cowley was also given the nod for efforts in Community Engagement, having worked on a number of AIS and AA initiatives including Share A Yarn and Clean Up Australia Day, and shares the category with Sydney 2000 hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp for his work with Indigenous youth and junior athletes.

Additionally, Athletics Australia staff and programs were heralded across a number of award categories, including High Performance Program of the Year, the Win Well Award, as well as the Leadership Award, with a nomination for AA’s General Manager, High Performance Andrew Faichney.

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Peter Bromley said: “The ASPAs is a celebration of the best of Australian high performance sport, and for so many athletes, coaches, administrators and programs of ours to be listed as finalists is a reflection of how far we have come this year.

“To see our athletes nominated for the way they have inspired the Australian public on the world stage as well as off the track and field is fantastic, and Alex Stewart’s work with Eleanor Patterson and Brandon Starc make him a fine candidate for Coach of the Year.

“I also want to congratulate the Athletics Australia High Performance Team led by Andrew Faichney for their work in creating a cohesive, collaborative and effective environment so that athletes and coaches can perform at their best when it matters most. The work of their team has led to nominations for High Performance Program of the Year, Win Well as well as the Leadership Award.”

The AIS Sport Performance Awards will take place in Sydney on December 15.

Athletics nominations for the 2022 ASPAs:

Female Athlete of the Year
Jessica Stenson

Emerging Athlete of the Year
Nina Kennedy

Coach of the Year
Alex Stewart

Award for Leadership
Andrew Faichney

High Performance Program of the Year
Athletics Australia

Community Engagement Award
Kyle Vander-Kuyp
Rhydian Cowley

Win Well Award
Athletics Australia

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 18/7/2022