2025 UNSW Sports Awards Gala Dinner

The 2025 UNSW Sports Awards Gala Dinner brought together more than 300 members of the university’s sporting community for an evening of recognition and celebration in the Grand Ballroom at the Australian Turf Club. The event honoured an outstanding year of achievement across UNSW sport and acknowledged the individuals and clubs whose dedication, talent and leadership continue to elevate the university’s reputation.

Among the esteemed guests were UNSW Provost and Acting Vice-Chancellor Scientia Professor Vlado Perkovic, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Student Experience Professor Sarah Maddison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Quality Professor Merlin Crossley AM, Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Success Leah Hill and Executive Director Partnerships and Engagement Alison Avery. They were joined by Dr Keri Spooner, Deputy Mayor of Waverley Council, former Australian windsurfer and UNSW Sport Hall of Fame inductee Dr Melanie Webb, Wheelchair Sports NSW and ACT CEO Mick Garnett, Medibank representative Becky Hyde, and Sport NSW CEO Stuart Hodge. Delegations from the Sydney Swans and NSW Waratahs were also present, contributing to a strong atmosphere of collaboration across the broader sporting sector.

MC Steph Brantz opened the evening with the 2025 sports highlights package, showcasing the depth and breadth of talent across the university. Indigenous Nationals Co-Captain Sarah Scott, from the Kamilaroi and Barkindji mobs, then delivered a moving Acknowledgement of Country. Head of Sport and Local Community Mark Wright followed with a formal welcome to guests and acknowledged the contribution of Arc Sport, noting its continual success in driving engagement at Village Green. Scientia Professor Perkovic then reflected on a year defined by exceptional performances across the Rugby, Football, Water Polo and Hockey Clubs, as well as landmark gold medals at UniSport Nationals in Men’s T20 Cricket, Men’s Football and Mixed Netball. He spoke to the broader significance of sport at the university, stating, “When a student joins a club, they’re not just signing up for training sessions or games. They’re joining a community. And that sense of community is powerful. It builds confidence, and leadership, and resilience. It provides balance in what can often be a demanding academic environment. It brings people together and creates a sense of belonging. But the impact doesn’t stop there. Sport also strengthens our connection to the wider community, and it is one of the most tangible ways we live out our university’s values.”

The evening’s first presentation was the inaugural UNSW Sport Lifetime Service Award, recognising former staff or long-serving club members who have given at least twenty years of service to UNSW sport and demonstrated leadership and contributions of lasting significance. The recipients were Raymond Lowe from the Hockey Club, Tom Williamson from the Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs AFL Club and the late Doug Crawford, whose influence on UNSW sport spanned seven decades. This award led into the Doug Crawford Sports Recognition Awards, acknowledging club members who have provided a minimum of five years of valuable service. This year’s recipients were Adam Inchley (Underwater Club), Brienna Anderson (Touch Football), Charlotte Stanwix (Rowing), Erin Keogh (AFL), Madeleine Darveniza (Underwater Club) and Noel Milligan (Underwater Club).

The Academic Excellence Award was presented to Sophia Cibei who exemplifies the UNSW student-athlete ethos. Ranked among Australia’s top ten sprint hurdlers and a 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Blues Award recipient, she is undertaking a dual degree in Civil Engineering and Computer Science with a weighted average mark above 80. Sophia was unable to attend the ceremony as she is currently on exchange in Italy.

The Indigenous Sport Award was presented to UniSport Nationals Co-Captain Chad Buckman who led the Nura Gili Indigenous Nationals team, earning both team and Netball Most Valuable Player honours. He also captained the UNSW Mixed Netball intervarsity team to Division One gold, represented the NSW Under 23 Men’s Netball team and remains a committed contributor to Shalom College sport. His leadership, humility and integrity were highlighted throughout the nomination process.

The College Sports Award recognised the joint leadership of UNSW Halls Sport Directors Maddie Coman and Magnus Tuffley. Magnus has been instrumental in developing the confidence and skills of his fellow residents, while Maddie has prioritised inclusivity, particularly through the increased participation of women in sports such as water polo.

The Coach of the Year Award was presented to Men’s First Grade Football Coach Gabe Knowles for leading the team to promotion into the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition for 2026, marking the club’s first return to this level in sixty-six years.

Michael O’Donnell from the Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs received the Pride Award for his leadership in promoting equity and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community in sport. His advocacy reached a national audience through ABC’s Four Corners, where he spoke candidly about homophobia in the AFL and the need for systemic change.

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognised the service of UNSW Basketball President Xanthe Fitzgerald. Her leadership has driven growth across performance, engagement and club culture. She has also managed teams at UniSport Nationals and Hustle 3x3 events, and graduates next month after an exceptional contribution to the club.

The Medibank International Student Sport Award went to lacrosse athlete Gavin Pope who joined UNSW this year on exchange. He represented UNSW at Uni Nationals, competed for the NSW State Team at the East Coast Cup and was drafted into the Major League Sixes competition, positioning himself for potential Olympic consideration.

The Arc Sport Student Life Award was presented to the Outdoors Club which has now achieved an unprecedented three consecutive wins. The club continues to provide transformative experiences for students, particularly those on exchange, through activities across coastlines, rivers, mountains, caves and bushland while teaching essential outdoor skills and fostering environmental stewardship

As the evening progressed, attention turned to the major competitive awards. The Male Student Athlete of the Year was awarded to rugby player Sid Harvey who represented Australia in the World Rugby Sevens and the Under 20 World Championships, where he successfully converted an overtime kick to secure a draw against New Zealand. At the domestic level he contributed significantly to Eastern Suburbs’ Shute Shield minor premiership and made his Super Rugby debut for the NSW Waratahs.

The Female Student Athlete of the Year was awarded to footballer Avaani Prakash for her achievements with the Australia National Under 20 Team and her strong contributions at UNSW. Avaani departed the venue immediately after accepting her award to travel to Melbourne for competition and acknowledged the support provided by the UNSW Elite Athlete Program led by Elite Athlete Manager Helen Bryson and Elite Athlete Program Officer Hayley Stanford.

The Alex Blackwell Award was presented to Caroline Holland from the Tennis Club in recognition of her leadership in advancing the UNSW Women in Sport and Active Recreation Strategy. She spoke about the significance of sport within the university community and her work in developing the club’s elite and advanced squads.

Sport Initiative of the Year was awarded to the UNSW Wests Water Polo Club for its Junior Development Program which has expanded rapidly and now supports more than one hundred participants aged between eight and thirteen.

The Student Athlete with a Disability Award was presented to para-athlete and footballer Tamsin Colley who achieved multiple gold medals and set national and UniSport records across several para-athletics events, including the world best time in the 800 metre PA Ambulant. She also represented Australia with the ParaMatildas at the IFCPF Women’s Intercontinental Cup. The award was presented by Wheelchair Sports NSW and ACT CEO Mick Garnett who had the audience singing along to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” before the announcement.

One of the most hotly contested awards of the night, The UniSport Nationals Award recognised the UNSW Men’s T20 Cricket team for their commanding performance at the 2025 UniSport Nationals where they secured the university’s first men’s T20 gold medal since 2017 with a forty-run victory over UTS in the final.

The Team of the Year was awarded to the Men’s First Grade Football squad which delivered a historic season culminating in promotion to the NPL NSW Men’s competition for the first time in the club’s history. Coach Gabe Knowles expressed his enthusiasm for the challenges ahead and the team’s ambition for future success.

The final presentation of the evening, the Club of the Year Award, featured eleven nominees and a final shortlist of Football, Hockey, Rugby and UNSW Wests Water Polo. The award went to the Rugby Club which achieved a landmark year in performance, participation and culture. First Grade secured the Barraclough Cup for the first time in twenty-seven years, all six senior teams reached finals, four teams made grand finals and First and Third Grade secured premierships. The Women’s team reached its first ever semi-final and secured a historic win. The club’s commitment to inclusive participation, strong community engagement and a vibrant student culture set a new standard within UNSW sport.

As the formalities concluded, guests continued to gather and reflect on a year defined by excellence, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to the university’s sporting culture. UNSW Sport extends its gratitude to all partners, students, staff, Arc Sport and the thirty nine clubs that contribute to this community. The university now looks ahead to an exciting 2026, with the Vice-Chancellor’s Blues Awards to be held on Thursday 19 March 2026. Nominations remain open until Sunday 30 November. 

FULL 2025 UNSW SPORTS AWARDS GALLERY