Stenson and Athletics among big winners at AIS Sport Performance Awards

Australian marathoner Jessica Stenson and Athletics Australia have capped off an outstanding 2022 campaign, taking home major accolades at the AIS Sport Performance Awards in Sydney overnight.  

More than 350 guests attended the black-tie gala event to celebrate the incredible achievements of Australian athletes, coaches, leaders and volunteers over the past 12 months across Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Commonwealth Games marathon gold medallist Jessica Stenson (Adam Didyk) was one of three award winners for Athletics. Athletics Australia also claimed High Performance Program of the Year, while retired Olympic hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp was recognised with the Community Engagement Award for his ongoing commitment to advancing reconciliation and empowering Australia’s First Nation peoples.

“This is so special. I love representing Australia. It’s something that I dreamed of as a young girl watching the Olympics on TV so to celebrate sport tonight and then to round it out while I’m still in shock. It’s a huge honour,” Stenson.

“My dream now is to just continue striving to be the best athlete I can be but also the best person of the year.

Athletics Australia’s High Performance Program also celebrated one of its best ever years, with its most successful performance on the world stage in more than a decade at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA. The 62-strong team made a lasting impressing at the global meet, with several inspiring performances that saw Australia place sixth out of 198 countries on the medal tally.

Additionally, the Commonwealth Games team had a glimmering year, finishing on top of the athletics medal tally with 24 medals, including 10 gold, 10 silver and four bronze, just days after finishing their Oregon campaign. The Australian Under 20 Team at the World Athletics Under 20 Championships came home with two bronze medals, and 14 top-8 finishes.

“For our program to be recognised at this level is a huge honour and really caps off a truly tremendous year for Athletics Australia,” Athletics Australia General Manager, High Performance Andrew Faichney said.

“Our team not only worked overtime to support and send three Australian teams to major championships in the space of two months, but did so with diligence and grace. Our coaching programs, pathway and wellbeing teams made breakthroughs in their work, giving us much confidence that the success of our program can continue and importantly, continue to have an impact on the wider sport.

“There are so many people that have contributed to our High Performance program, including members of our wider family within the National Institute Network, AIS and Commonwealth Games Australia, as well as our staff, coaches, of course our athletes. This award is recognition of all their dedication and commitmengt to our sport and is so well deserved to be highlighted in this way.”

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer congratulated Stenson, Vander-Kuyp and Faichney and his team, commenting that the awards are due recognition of their tireless work.

“It’s been clear to us for the last few years that athletics is entering a new golden era, and these awards are further proof of this,” Bromley said.

“I’d like to congratulate Jess for a sensational year with her gold medal win in Birmingham and Kyle on being recognised for the positive change he is making across various communities, and of course our entire High Performance team for their efforts.

“This year has come with its own set of challenges with a condensed international schedule, but the results and of course, this award, shows that our sport is heading in the right direction as we look ahead to Paris 2024, the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games and in the not too distant future, the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

2022 ASPAs Award Winners:

Female Athlete of the Year: Jessica Stenson, Athletics Australia
Female Para-Athlete of the Year: Emily Petricola, AusCycling
Male Athlete of the Year: Cam Smith, Golf Australia
Male Para-Athlete of the Year: Ben Tudhope, Snow Australia
Coach of the Year: Peter McNiel and Kate Blamey, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Emerging Athlete of the Year: Donnell Wallam, Netball Australia
High Performance Program of the Year: Athletics Australia
Award for Leadership: Petria Thomas, Commonwealth Games Australia
Team of the Year: Women's Rugby 7s, Rugby Australia
Community Engagement Award: Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Athletics Australia
Win Well Award: Victorian Institute of Sport
Sport Volunteer of the Year Award: Nicole Williams, Cricket Australia

By Sport Australia and Athletics Australia
Posted: 16/12/2022