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We would like to formally invite you to attend the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Sports Awards Gala Dinner for 2025. The Sports Awards Gala Dinner, hosted by Royal Randwick Racecourse,Ìýprovides an opportunity to showcase the year that was, celebrating success at the individual and club level. With award categories such as theÌýAlex Blackwell Award, Indigenous Sport Award, Doug Crawford Sports Recognition AwardÌýand many more, this year promises to be bigger and better thanÌýlast year!

The Sports Awards and Vice-Chancellors Blues Awards will be open for nominations for all sporting achievements from October 2024 to October 2025. Please note the Vice-Chancellors Blues Awards dinner will be a separate event held in March, 2026 (more info to come).

Award categories to be presented on the night:

Academic Excellence AwardÌý- Most outstanding academic achievement by a student athlete (student only)

Alex Blackwell AwardÌý- the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Women in Sport Award, see criteria below (student or club member)

Arc Sport Student Life AwardÌý(formerly Community Sports Award)Ìý-ÌýMost outstanding contribution to student life through sport, recreation or physical activity (student or club/society)

Club of the YearÌý- Most outstanding achievements by a club across the following areas (i) sporting performance (ii) student engagement (iii) inclusive club culture (iv) community engagement (²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ and/or local) -Ìýmust satisfy all criteria to be considered.

Coach of the YearÌý- Most outstanding performance or contribution by a coach for a ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Club or Team (student or club member)

College Sports AwardÌý- Either for most outstanding (i) contribution to college sport at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ (ii) outstanding sporting performance through the Inter-college Sports Association competitions (student or college)

Doug Crawford Sports Recognition AwardÌý- awarded to club volunteers with minimum five years service, see criteria below (student or club/society member)

Female Student Athlete of the YearÌý- Most outstanding performance from a female student athlete at elite level (student only)

Indigenous Sport AwardÌý- One of the following: Most outstanding (i) sports performance (ii) contribution to sporting life at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ (iii) contribution to Indigenous community through sport (student or club member)

Male Student Athlete of the YearÌý- Most outstanding performance from a male student athlete at elite level (student only)

MEDIBANK International Student Sport AwardÌý- One of the following: Most outstanding (i) sports performance (ii) contribution to sporting life at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ (iii) contribution to the International Student community through sport (student or club member)

Pride AwardÌý-ÌýA student or club/society who have shown great leadership to be inclusive of the LGBTQI+ community (individual or club/society)

Student Athlete With A Disability Award -ÌýOne of the following: Most outstanding (i) sports performance (ii) contribution to sporting life at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵÌý

Sport Initiative of the YearÌý- The initiative which has made the most outstanding contribution to increasing opportunities or participation in physical activity, sport or recreation at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ (student or club/society only)Ìý

Team of the YearÌý- Most outstanding sporting performance or achievement by a team within the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ sporting community

UniSport Nationals AwardÌý- Most outstanding performance by a student athlete or team at UniSport Nationals.

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Sport Lifetime Service Award -Ìýsee criteria below.

Vice-Chancellors Blues AwardÌý- rewarding sporting excellence and commitment (student only). Criteria below. Note: The Vice-Chancellors Blues Awards will be awarded in March, 2026.

Volunteer of the YearÌý(formerly Sports Administrator of the Year)Ìý- Most outstanding contribution to sporting life or a sports club by a volunteer (student or club member)

We look forward to seeing you on the night to celebrate the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ sporting communities successes!

Alex Blackwell Award - Criteria

The nominee upholds the values and vision of the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Women in Sport and Active Recreation Strategy in one or more of the following ways:

• advocating for women and girls in sport and active recreation
• being a trailblazer for women in the leadership of a sporting club or organisation
• coaching or developing programs that have increased women’s participation in sport
• supporting or being a role model for girls and women who want to participate or be involved in sport.

Vice-Chancellor's Blues Award - Criteria

The ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Blue award recognises and celebrates ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ students who have achieved the highest level of sporting excellence in their chosen sport, who are a person of outstanding character and values, and who have made a contribution to sport at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ.

• The nominee must be a current student enrolled in a degree or diploma at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ.
• The nominee shall be an outstanding performer and meet the individual and/or team standards in their sport, and be approved by the Blues Committee.
• The nominee shall for a minimum period of TWO competitive years have actively participated at the highest level of sport, or equivalent, for which the University competes in that specific sport, or equivalent.
• Nominees shall at all times demonstrate excellent sportsmanship and uphold the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ values throughout their sporting and academic career.
• Nominees are not required to have played for or represented ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ, only to have participated at a level of competition that is equivalent to, or above, the highest level available at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ. In some cases, nominees may have competed for a different club or team, or individually against ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ – this is not a valid reason for not receiving a Blues Award, providing they meet all criteria.

Doug Crawford Sports Recognition Award - Criteria

Sport Recognition Awards are awarded to sporting club members for continuous outstanding contributions to their club and sport.

• The nominee shall have actively supported the nominating club for a minimum period of five (5) years including the year of nomination, either by consistent participation in the club's sporting or recreational activity or by valuable service to the club's organisation and administration.

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Sport Lifetime Service Award - CriteriaÌý

Criteria for general nominees

a.Outstanding contribution by any individual directly to sport at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ, either of the following two criteria

i.Minimum of 20 years’ service/employment

ii.Made a singular or number of outstanding achievements which had a major impact in the delivery of sport at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ – this must be a once in generation significant contribution to sport, leaving an enduring legacy.

b. The award cannot be granted or approved to a current staff member, only former members of staff – 12 months following the end of their employment may be considered.

c. Demonstrated exceptional leadership within their role.

d. Demonstrated contributions above and beyond their job description, role, and general duties.

e. Shown initiative and passion to drive change and growth in sport at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ.

Criteria for club member nominees

a. Minimum of 20 years’ service to a ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Sports Club

b. Minimum of 10 years’ service within the overall 20 years’ service, in a specific role at the club, for example, serving on the committee, fund raising, coaching, umpiring, scoring, running water, canteen duties etc.

c. Regular attendance at clubs’ fixtures, competitions, events

d. Demonstrate exceptional leadership and be a good role model.

e. The nominee be of good character and an upstanding member of the sporting community.Ìý