Active Women in Sport Awards

Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, the Lounge at UNSW became the centre of a celebration that reflected both the achievements of women across the University’s sporting community and the progress being made toward a more equitable sporting landscape.

Held last night on March 4, the Active Women in Sport Awards brought together athletes, club members, administrators and senior University leaders to recognise the women shaping sport at UNSW and beyond. The evening was staged against the backdrop of the Active Women in Sport Plan, launched in 2020 as the first initiative of its kind in Australia and a central pillar of UNSW’s Sport Strategy.

With a record number of nominations and the largest attendance in the event’s history, the awards demonstrated the growing momentum behind women’s sport on campus and the University’s ongoing commitment to closing the gender gap in participation, leadership and performance.

Among those in attendance were several prominent figures from Australian and international sport including Australian Winter Olympian mogul skier Charlotte Wilson, professional surfing leader Jessi Miley-Dyer, Young Matildas and Central Coast Mariners footballer Avaani Prakash, Football Australia Digital Content Project Manager Ann Odong, ParaMatildas and para athletics champion Tamsin Colley, Australian women’s water polo squad member Hayley Ballesty, Tongan Women’s Rugby 15s national squad player Vei Lamipeti, and UNSW Active Women in Sport Ambassador Takwa Tissaoui.

The evening was also attended by senior University leadership including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) Professor Sarah Maddison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Quality) Professor Merlin Crossley, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Success Leah Hill, highlighting the institutional commitment to the initiative.

UNSW alumna Kate Allman, who served as MC for the evening, opened proceedings by reflecting on the progress made since the launch of the Active Women in Sport Plan five years ago and the broader impact it has had on the University’s sporting culture. Allman noted that the plan had helped build pathways for women across participation, leadership and elite performance, while strengthening UNSW’s reputation as a leader in university sport.

She also acknowledged the role of the University’s Elite Athlete Program in supporting women pursuing sport and study at the highest level, highlighting the growing number of female student athletes balancing demanding academic programs with international competition. Professor Sarah Maddison then addressed the audience, recognising the achievements of UNSW athletes over the past year and the momentum behind women’s sport across the University.

“In the past twelve months we have seen extraordinary achievements from UNSW women in sport, from athletes like Charlotte Wilson competing on the world stage, to leaders across our clubs and programs creating opportunities for the next generation,” Professor Maddison said.

She also pointed to the rapid growth of the SHE CAN program, one of the University’s flagship initiatives aimed at encouraging women to participate in sport. “Since its inception in 2019, the SHE CAN program has grown by more than 500 per cent year on year. It has become a powerful platform for building confidence, connection and participation for women across our campus.”

Professor Maddison added that UNSW’s Elite Athlete Program now supports more than 140 female student athletes, reflecting the scale of women competing at the highest level while studying at the University. “The progress we are seeing is the result of sustained commitment across our community. The athletes, the volunteers, the club leaders and the staff who are all working together to make sport more accessible and more equitable.”

The first award of the evening was the SHE CAN Award, which recognises individuals, clubs or groups who have made a significant contribution to women’s sport through the program. This year’s award went to Campus Runners, who were recognised for their work creating inclusive running sessions designed specifically for women beginning their running journey.

In collaboration with the SHE CAN program, the group delivered fortnightly beginner friendly run sessions throughout the year. The events featured multiple pace groups to ensure participants of all abilities felt comfortable joining in, whether they were trying running for the first time or returning to fitness.

The sessions created a supportive environment that removed many of the barriers new runners often face, providing a low pressure entry point into the sport while building confidence and consistency. Participation steadily grew across the year, with increasing numbers of women attending each event and forming connections through the program.

Accepting the award, representatives from Campus Runners said the initiative had become an important community for students across the University. “This program is growing every single year,” Jessica Wu said. “It has created an opportunity for students from all over the campus to come together and feel like part of one community.”

The First Year Star Award, recognising a first year student who has made a significant contribution to women’s sport at UNSW, was presented to Rasleen Singh. Singh made an immediate impact after arriving at UNSW by approaching Arc Sport and the SHE CAN team with the idea of launching SHE CAN Karate classes, aimed at giving women the opportunity to learn self defence while trying a new sport.

Across the 2025 trimesters she ran weekly karate sessions across an eight week program, teaching practical techniques while building confidence and enjoyment among participants. The classes quickly became one of the program’s most popular offerings, attracting strong attendance and regular waitlists. Singh was also recognised for the supportive environment she created within the sessions, ensuring participants of all backgrounds and experience levels felt comfortable joining.

Reflecting on the program, Singh spoke about the importance of encouraging women to step into sports that may traditionally appear male dominated. “Programs like SHE CAN are important because they show that spaces that might once have felt intimidating are actually welcoming and inclusive,” she said. “It gives women the confidence to try something new and realise they belong there.”

The Outstanding Club Award recognises a club’s contribution to advancing opportunities for women and girls in sport. For the second consecutive year the award was presented to the UNSW Hockey Club, following another record breaking season in 2025.

The club fielded 12 women’s teams across two competitions, representing close to 200 players. Every one of those teams qualified for the finals series, a rare achievement across Sydney’s women’s hockey competitions. Across the season the club secured two minor premierships and saw seven teams finish second on the ladder. Six teams progressed to grand finals, with four winning premierships.

The club was also named Sydney Women’s Hockey League Club Champion for the third year in a row. UNSW students form a significant portion of the playing group, while many women also contribute through coaching, umpiring and committee roles.

The club also operates social summer competitions, attracting more than 300 participants annually, alongside a strong junior program where more than 70 per cent of teams are girls. Accepting the award on behalf of the club, Georgina O’Sullivan reflected on the scale of the achievement. “We thought 2024 was going to be our best year and that it would be hard to top,” she said. “But 2025 managed to surpass it again. Success breeds success and we are excited to see what the next season brings.”

Following a short intermission, guests returned for a special Q and A with Winter Olympian Charlotte Wilson, who recently represented Australia at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Wilson finished sixth in the world in the singles moguls event, marking an extraordinary debut Olympic performance.

Raised in Jindabyne, Wilson began skiing at three years old and progressed rapidly through Australian development pathways before moving onto the international stage. Her breakthrough came during the 2024–25 season, when she recorded consistent World Cup results and a top ten finish at the FIS World Championships.

In March 2025 she claimed gold in the dual moguls Olympic test event in Livigno, defeating several of the world’s leading skiers on the same course that would later host the Winter Olympics. That performance helped secure her the FIS Mogul Skiing Rookie of the Year award.

Speaking about her journey, Wilson credited Olympic champion Jakara Anthony as an important influence. “Having someone like Jakara on the tour has been incredibly inspiring,” Wilson said. “She has shown what is possible for Australian mogul skiing.”

Wilson also spoke about the misconceptions surrounding women in sport. “You often hear phrases like run like a girl or ski like a girl,” she said. “But in moguls, the women are pushing the boundaries of what the sport can be. It is one of the best examples of what women in sport are capable of.”

Away from competition, Wilson is completing an Engineering (Honours) degree in Materials Science and Engineering alongside a Master of Biomedical Engineering at UNSW, balancing an intensive academic program with international competition. “Studying engineering has actually helped me think differently about the sport,” she said. “You start to understand the mechanics of movement and materials in a way that makes you more aware of the equipment and the forces you are working with.”

The Trailblazer Award recognises individuals whose long term efforts have removed barriers for women and girls in sport. This year the award was presented to Jessi Miley-Dyer, one of the most influential figures in modern professional surfing.

Miley-Dyer was a World Junior Champion and competed on the World Surf League Women’s Championship Tour for six years, finishing as high as fourth in the world before retiring from competition due to injury. While still competing she served as a Surfers’ Representative and ASP board member, contributing to governance decisions that shaped the sport’s future.

After retiring from competition she moved into leadership roles within the World Surf League, eventually becoming Deputy Commissioner before taking on the position of Chief of Sport. In that role she oversees the entire competitive landscape of professional surfing including the Championship Tour, Challenger Series, Qualifying Series, Pro Junior Series and specialty events.

Miley-Dyer played a central role in one of the most significant milestones in sport governance when the World Surf League announced equal prize money for men and women from 2019 onwards, becoming the first global sports league based in the United States to implement such a policy. She also launched the Rising Tides program, which invites young girls to surf alongside professional athletes during tour stops around the world.

Reflecting on the early years of her career, Miley-Dyer spoke candidly about the barriers women faced in professional surfing.

“In the early 2000s the gap between the men’s and women’s tours was huge,” she said. “The prize money was dramatically different, the equipment and apparel weren’t designed for women, and there were iconic surf breaks that women simply weren’t allowed to compete on.” She said the changes over the past two decades had been the result of sustained advocacy.

“It has taken a lot of work from many people across the sport, but we are now seeing women surfing the same waves, on the same stage, with the same opportunities.”

The final award of the evening, the Champion Award, recognises a woman whose leadership has advanced opportunities for women and girls in sport. The award was presented to Xanthe Fitzgerald, former President of the UNSW Basketball Club.

Throughout 2025 Fitzgerald played a central role in expanding women’s participation within the club while also coordinating several major competitions including University Basketball League, 3x3 Nationals, and UniSport Nationals Basketball. Under her leadership the club strengthened pathways for women to move from beginner programs into structured training and representative teams, often through collaborations with the SHE CAN program.

Beyond her administrative role Fitzgerald also coached three Under 17 girls teams, focusing on skill development and confidence building. At the same time she continued competing in the NSW Waratah State League, where her team reached the Grand Final, while representing UNSW across multiple representative competitions.

Reflecting on her time leading the club, Fitzgerald said the growth of women’s basketball at UNSW had been driven by a strong sense of community. “One of the most rewarding parts of the role has been seeing more women try basketball for the first time and then progress into competitive teams,” she said.

Now having graduated, Fitzgerald said she was confident the club would continue to grow under new president Gabby Neal. “I have full faith that the club will keep building on what we have started,” she said.

As the evening drew to a close, the atmosphere in the room reflected both celebration and determination. The Active Women in Sport Awards highlighted the scale of talent, leadership and commitment within the UNSW sporting community, while also reinforcing the broader goal of creating equal opportunities for women and girls in sport.

Events like this continue to demonstrate that meaningful progress is being made. While the gender gap in sport has not yet disappeared, the work of athletes, volunteers, administrators and advocates across the UNSW community is steadily reshaping the landscape. Each of the women recognised during the evening represents a different part of that movement. Together they illustrate the growing impact of women leading change in sport at UNSW and far beyond the campus.

ACTIVE WOMEN IN SPORT AWARDS FULL GALLERY

Congratulations to all nominees: 

Alejandra Isaza

Angy Kim

Basketball Club

Campus Runners

Cindy Li

Eastern Suburbs Australian Football Club

Emily Harman

Georgina O’Sullivan

Hanisha Manish Chawla

Hayley Ballesty

Hockey Club

Janina Veri

Jessi Miley-Dyer

Lacrosse Club

Liu Palu

Lucy Berryman

Lydia Cheng

Madeline Darveniza

Melissa Katon

Natasha Rooney

Olivia Fuller

Pauline Doyle

Rabbitohs Touch Football Club

Rasleen Singh

Selina Cudby

Tennis Club

Underwater Club

UNSW FC

UNSW Medical Society

UNSW Wests Water Polo Club

Veiongo Koloamatangi-Lamipeti

Xanthe Fitzgerald