Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was opened in 1981. AIS Sports Star of the Year (later named AIS Athlete of the Year) was first established in 1983/84 with the first winner being swimmer Karen Phillips.[1] In 1995, AIS Junior Athlete of the Year was established. Other major awards include AIS Team of The Year, AIS Coach of the Year and AIS Program of the Year.[2] Other awards included: Sport Achievement Awards, Vocation Awards and Education Awards. There were several memorial scholarship awards that recognise the contribution of deceased AIS athletes, coaches and administrators - Brent Harding Memorial Award for Swimming, Nathan Meade Memorial Award for Diving, Gary Knoke Memorial Award for Athletics, Darren Smith Memorial Award for Road Cycling, Ben Mitchell Medal for AFL and Bob Staunton Memorial Award for Basketball.[2]
The awards were broadened in 2013 to include Direct Athlete Assistance recipients as well as AIS scholarship holders as part of the AIS Winning Edge Strategy.[3] The awards were renamed the AIS Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs) in 2014 with several new awards - Sport Personality of the Year, Para Performance of the Year, Community Club Award and Volunteer/Administrator Award.[4] In 2019, two awards - Sport Personality of the Year and Sporting Moment of the Year are decided by public vote.[4] [5] There were no awards in 2020 and 2021 due to impact of COVID-19.
In 2002 as part of the AIS 21st birthday celebrations, 21 athletes were inducted into the AIS 'Best of the Best' hall of Fame. In 2006, four athletes were added and in 2011 another five athletes.
| Year | Athletes | |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Alisa Camplin (Freestyle skiing), Robert De Castella (Athletics), John Eales (Rugby Union), Simon Fairweather (Archery), Neil Fuller (Paralympic Athletics), Bridgette Gusterson (Water Polo), Rechelle Hawkes (Hockey), Shane Kelly (Cycling), Luc Longley (Basketball), Michelle Martin (Squash), Glenn McGrath (Cricket), Michael Klim (Swimming), Michael Milton (Paralympic Skiing), Clint Robinson (Canoeing), Louise Sauvage (Paralympic Athletics), Kate Slatter (Rowing), Zali Steggall (Alpine skiing), Petria Thomas (Swimming), Mark Viduka (Soccer), Vicki Wilson (Netball), Todd Woodbridge (Tennis) | |
| 2006 | Kerry Saxby-Junna (Athletics), Lauren Jackson (Basketball), Chantelle Newbery (Diving) | |
| 2011 | Jamie Dwyer (Hockey), Anna Meares (Cycling), Malcolm Page (Sailing), Ricky Ponting (Cricket) and Matthew Cowdrey (Paralympic Swimming)[6] [7] |
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Jason Day (Golf) | |
| 2016 | Kyle Chalmers (Swimming)[9] | |
| 2017 | Scotty James (Snowboarding)[10] | |
| 2018 | Rohan Dennis (Cycling) | |
| 2019 | Scotty James (Snowboarding) | |
| 2020-2021 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith (Golf)[11] | |
| 2023 | Matthew Wearn (Sailing)[12] |
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Emily Seebohm (Swimming) | |
| 2016 | Kim Brennan (Rowing) | |
| 2017 | Sally Pearson (Athletics) | |
| 2018 | Jessica Fox (Slalom canoeing) | |
| 2019 | Ash Barty (Tennis) | |
| 2020-2021 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Jessica Stenson (Athletics) | |
| 2023 | Kaylee McKeown (Swimming) |
This award recognises a talented junior athletes performances during the year. Previously AIS Junior Athlete of the Year.
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | World Junior Men's Basketball Silver Medallists - Frank Drimic, Scott McGregor, Phil Doherty, Brad McKinnon | |
| 1996 | Victoria Roberts (Netball) | |
| 1997 | Michael Rogers (Cycling) | |
| 1998 | Lauren Jackson (Basketball) | |
| 1999 | Lauren Jackson (Basketball) Ben Kersten (Track Cycling) Jobie Dajka (Track Cycling) | |
| 2000 | Siobhan Paton (Paralympic Swimming) | |
| 2001 | Luke Schenscher (Basketball) | |
| 2002 | Todd Reid (Tennis) | |
| 2003 | David Barnes (Archery) | |
| 2004 | Tim Cuddihy (Archery) | |
| 2005 | Renae Camino (Basketball) | |
| 2006 | Robert Crowther (Athletics) | |
| 2007 | Gemma Beadsworth (Water Polo) | |
| 2008 | Evan O'Hanlon (Paralympic Athletics) | |
| 2009 | Jack Bobridge (Track Cycling) Amy Steel (Netball) | |
| 2010 | Lauren Mitchell (Gymnastics) | |
| 2011 | Luke Durbridge (Track Cycling) | |
| 2012 | Sam Willoughby (BMX Cycling) | |
| 2013 | Dante Exum (Basketball) | |
| 2014 | Amy Cure (Track cycling) | |
| 2015 | Ben Simmons (Basketball) | |
| 2016 | Curtis Luck (Golf) | |
| 2017 | Kelland O'Brien (Cycling) | |
| 2018 | Luke Plapp (Cycling) | |
| 2019 | Amy Lawton (Hockey) | |
| 2020-2021 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Donnell Wallam (Netball) | |
| 2023 | Alexa Leary (Swimming) |
| Year | coach | |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Martin Barras (Track Cycling) | |
| 2003 | Lyall McCarthy (Rowing) | |
| 2004 | Martin Barras (Track Cycling) | |
| 2005 | Lyall McCarthy (Rowing) | |
| 2006 | Greg McFadden (Women's Water Polo) | |
| 2007 | Craig Hilliard (Athletics) | |
| 2008 | Victor Kovalenko (Sailing) | |
| 2009 | Craig Walton (Triathlon) | |
| 2010 | Richard Charlesworth (Hockey) | |
| 2011 | Ben Wordsworth (Snowboarding) | |
| 2012 | Australian Sailing Team Coaching Group | |
| 2013 | Simon Cusack (Swimming) | |
| 2014 | Lisa Alexander (Netball) | |
| 2015 | Michael Bohl (Swimming) | |
| 2016 | Michael Blackburn (Sailing) | |
| 2017 | Alen Stajcic (Soccer) | |
| 2018 | Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi (Slalom canoeing) | |
| 2019 | Michael Blackburn (Sailing) | |
| 2020-2021 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Peter McNiel and Kate Blamey (Olympic Winter Institute of Australia) | |
| 2023 | Rohan Taylor (Swimming) |
Voted for by the general public.
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Kurt Fearnley (Paralympic athletics) | |
| 2015 | David Pocock (Rugby union)[13] | |
| 2016 | Chloe Esposito (Modern Pentathlon) | |
| 2017 | Sam Kerr (Soccer) | |
| 2018 | Craig Lowndes (Motor sport) | |
| 2019 | Ash Barty (Tennis) |
Voted for by the general public.
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Australian Diamonds (Netball) | |
| 2016 | Western Bulldogs (Australian rules football) | |
| 2017 | Matildas (Soccer) |
Voted for by the media. Previously called Sport Performance of the Year Award.
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Alex Pullin (Snowboarding) | |
| 2014 | South Sydney Rabbitohs (Rugby league) | |
| 2015 | Michelle Payne (Horse racing) | |
| 2016 | Kyle Chalmers (Swimming) | |
| 2017 | Jeff Horn (Boxing) | |
| 2018 | Kurt Fearnley (Para athletics) and para-sport integration at 2018 Commonwealth Games | |
| 2019 | Ash Barty (Tennis) winning 2019 French Open |
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Australian Para Rugby Team (Steelers) | |
| 2015 | Alistair Donohue (Cycling) | |
| 2016 | Australian Steelers (Wheelchair rugby) | |
| 2017 | Mitchell Gourley (Alpine skiing) | |
| 2018 | Simon Patmore (Snowboarding) |
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Curtis McGrath (Para-canoe) | |
| 2020-2021 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Ben Tudhope (Para-snowboarding) | |
| 2023 | James Turner (Athletics) |
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Melissa Perrine (Para-skiing) | |
| 2020-2021 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Emily Petricola (Cycling) | |
| 2023 | Lauren Parker (Cycling and triathlon) |
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Australian Cycling Program | |
| 2019 | Rowing Australia High Performance Program | |
| 2020-2021 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Athletics Australia | |
| 2023 | The Dolphins, Swimming Australia |
| Year | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Geoff Lipshut Olympic Winter Institute of Australia | |
| 2014 | Damien Marangon (Shooting) and Kate Palmer (Netball Australia) | |
| 2015 | Mark Anderson (Swimming Australia) | |
| 2016 | Kate McLoughlin (Australian Paralympic Committee) | |
| 2017 | Susan Alberti (Australian rules football) | |
| 2018 | Craig Phillips (Commonwealth Games Australia) | |
| 2019 | Lynne Anderson (Paralympics Australia) | |
| 2020-2021 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Petria Thomas (Commonwealth Games Australia) | |
| 2023 | Jessica Corones, Swimming Australia |
| Year | Person/Organisation | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Victorian Institute of Sport | |
| 2023 | Archery Australia |
| Year | Person/Organisation | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Nicole Williams (Cricket Australia) | |
| 2023 | Elysa Oliveri, Cricket Australia |
Award highlighting integrity and sportsmanship in Australian sport.
| Year | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Celia Sullohern, Madeline Hills, Eloise Wellings who waited at the finish to cheer on the last-placed athlete, Lineo Chaka in the 10000m at 2018 Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast, Queensland | |
| 2019 | Hockeyroos in match against Belgium |
| Year | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Jenna O'Hea involved in creating WNBL's “Lifeline Round” | |
| 2020-2021 | Not held | |
| 2022 | Kyle Vander-Kuyp | |
| 2023 | Amy Parmenter, Netball Australia |
This award may not be awarded annually.
| Year | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Ric Charlesworth, Australian Hockey Coach[14] | |
| 2016 | Gary West, Australian Track Cycling Coach |
This award may not be awarded annually.
| Year | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Danielle Woodward (Canoeing) | |
| 2017 | Glenn Tasker (Swimming/Paralympic sport) | |
| 2018 | Dick Telford (Sports science / Athletics) | |
| 2019 | Tim Oberg (parkrun Australia) and Robyn Smith (Sport Inclusion Australia) |
Replaced in 2015 by Male and Female Athletes of the Year.
| Year | Athlete | |
|---|---|---|
| 1983/84 | Karen Phillips (Swimming) | |
| 1984/85 | Michele Pearson (Swimming) | |
| 1985/86 | James Galloway (Rowing) | |
| 1986/87 | Kerry Saxby (Athletics) | |
| 1988/89 | Kerry Saxby (Athletics) | |
| 1989 | Kerry Saxby (Athletics) | |
| 1990 | Steve McGlede (Track Cycling) | |
| 1991 | Linley Frame (Swimming) | |
| 1992 | Clint Robinson (Flatwater Canoeing) | |
| 1993 | World Junior Female Basketball Team Men's Track Cycling Pursuit Team | |
| 1994 | Australian Women's Hockey Team | |
| 1995 | Shane Kelly (Track cycling) | |
| 1996 | Megan Still & Kate Slatter (Rowing) | |
| 1997 | Louise Sauvage (Paralympic Athletics) | |
| 1998 | Michael Klim (Swimming) | |
| 1999 | Michael Klim (Swimming) | |
| 2000 | Simon Fairweather (Archery) | |
| 2001 | Petria Thomas (Swimming) & Philippe Rizzo (Gymnastics) | |
| 2002 | Petria Thomas (Swimming) | |
| 2003 | Nathan Baggaley (Canoeing) | |
| 2004 | Petria Thomas (Swimming) & Ryan Bayley (Track Cycling) | |
| 2005 | Peter Robinson (Triathlon) & Robin Bell (Slalom Canoeing) | |
| 2006 | Philippe Rizzo (Gymnastics) | |
| 2007 | Nathan Deakes (Athletics) & Anna Meares (Track Cycling) | |
| 2008 | Ken Wallace (Flatwater canoeing) & Heath Francis (Paralympic Athletics) | |
| 2009 | Brenton Rickard (Swimming) & Emma Moffatt (Triathlon) | |
| 2010 | Lydia Lassila (Freestyle Skiing) | |
| 2011 | Anna Meares (Track cycling) | |
| 2012 | Alicia Coutts (Swimming) & Tom Slingsby (Sailing)[15] | |
| 2013 | Caroline Buchanan (Cycling) and Kim Crow (Rowing)[16] | |
| 2014 | Jessica Fox (Slalom canoeing) |
Discontinued as AIS no longer operates sports scholarship programs.
| Year | coach |
|---|---|
| 2003 | AIS Diving |
| 2004 | AIS Diving |
| 2005 | AIS Triathlon |
| 2006 | AIS/South Australia.com Men's U23 Road Cycling |
| 2007 | AIS Sailing |
| 2008 | Australian/AIS Sailing Team |
| 2009 | AIS Under-23 Track Endurance/Road Cycling |
| 2010 | AIS Sailing |
| 2011 | AIS Track Cycling |
| 2012 | Australian Sailing Team Coaching Group |
From 1984 to 2013, ACTSPORT included an AIS Athlete of the Year for athletes on scholarship at the AIS Canberra campus.