Paralympics Australia recognises the achievements of Paralympic athletes, coaches and administrators through several awards. These awards generally relate to performances at the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and are not necessarily awarded annually.
Australian Paralympian of the Year YearAthlete1994Louise Sauvage (Athletics)1995Priya Cooper (Swimming)1996Louise Sauvage (Athletics)1997Louise Sauvage (Athletics)1998Louise Sauvage (Athletics)2000Siobhan Paton (Swimming)2002Michael Milton (Alpine skiing)2004Tim Sullivan (Athletics)2008Matthew Cowdrey (Swimming)2010Cameron Rahles-Rahbula (Alpine skiing)2012Jacqueline Freney (Swimming)2016Dylan Alcott (Wheelchair tennis)2020Madison de Rozario (Athletics)2022Ben Tudhope (Snowboarding) 2024Lauren Parker (Triathlon / Cycling)2026Ben Tudhope (Snowboarding)
Male Athlete of the Year YearAthlete2008Matthew Cowdrey (Swimming) 2010Cameron Rahles-Rahbula (Alpine skiing)2012Evan O'Hanlon (Athletics)2016Dylan Alcott (Wheelchair tennis)2020Curtis McGrath (Canoeing)2022Ben Tudhope (Snowboarding)2024James Turner (Athletics)2026Ben Tudhope (Snowboarding)
Female Athlete of the Year YearAthlete2008Lisa McIntosh (Athletics)2010Jessica Gallagher (Alpine skiing)2012Jacqueline Freney (Swimming)2016Maddison Elliott (Swimming)2020Madison de Rozario (Athletics)2022Melissa Perrine (Alpine skiing)2024Lauren Parker (Cycling / Triathlon)2026Lauren Parker (Biathlon/ Cross country skiing)
Rookie Athlete of the Year YearAthlete2008Peter Leek (Swimming)2012Maddison Elliott (Swimming) Rheed McCracken (Athletics)2016James Turner (Athletics)2020William Martin (Swimming)2022Josh Hanlon (Alpine skiing)2024Alexa Leary (Swimming)2026Aaron McCarthy (Snowboarding) Award changed from Junior to Rookie Athlete of the Year in 2016.
Coach of the Year YearCoach2008Iryna Dvoskina (Athletics)2010Steve Graham (Alpine skiing)2012Peter Day (Cycling)2016Iryna Dvoskina (Athletics)2020Louise Sauvage (Athletics)2022Par Sundqvist (Snowboarding)2004Maggie Meng (Table tennis)2026Nickie Rodger (Snowboarding)
Team of the Year YearTeam2008Men's Wheelchair Basketball (Rollers)2012 Wheelchair Rugby Team (Steelers) Sailing SKUD18 Crew Daniel Fitzgibbon & Liesl Tesch2016Australian Paralympic Sailing Team Matthew Bugg (Single person 2.4mR), Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (Two person Skud 18), Colin Harrison, Russell Boaden, Jonathan Harris (Three person Sonar)2020 Women’s Table Tennis (Class 9-10) Team Melissa Tapper, Qian Yang, Lina Lei2024Nikki Ayers & Jed Altschwager (PR3 Mixed Double Scull, Para-rowing)
Uncle Kevin Coombs Medal for the Spirit of the Games Named after indigenous wheelchair basketballer Kevin Coombs. The Medal is awarded to the athlete that embodies the 'spirit of the Games'. YearTeam2016Liesl Tesch (Sailing)2020Stuart Jones (Cyclist)2024Grant Patterson (Swimming)2026Matt Brumby (Biathlon / Cross country sking)
President’s Award for Excellence in Sportsmanship
YearAthlete2008Kurt Fearnley (Athletics)2010Toby Kane (Alpine skiing) 2012Libby Kosmala (Shooting) Kieran Modra (Cycling)2016Kate McLoughlin (2016 Chef de Mission)2020Daniela Di Toro2024Boccia Australia High Performance program
Paralympic Achievement Award YearAthlete2010Individuals - David Baker, Pamela Baker, Steve Mason and Belinda Green Corporate - 360HR2012Matthew Cowdrey (Swimming)
Australian Paralympic Hall of Fame
It was established in 2011 to recognise individuals that have made a significant contribution to Australia's paralympic achievements and to enhance the profile of Paralympians in the Australian community.
YearName2011Louise Sauvage(Athlete)2011Frank Ponta (Athlete)2011Sir George Bedbrook (Administrator)2016Kevin Coombs (Athlete)2016Tracey Freeman (Athlete)2016David Hall (Athlete)2016Daphne Hilton (Athlete)2016Ron Finneran (Administrator)2016Adrienne Smith (Administrator)2022Libby Kosmala (Athlete)2022Priya Cooper (Athlete)2022Michael Milton (Athlete)2022Matthew Cowdrey (Athlete)2022Kurt Fearnley (Athlete)2024Elizabeth Edmondson (Swimming)2024Anne Brunell (Swimming)2024David Gould (Basketball)2024Gary Hooper2024Greg Hartung (Administrator)2026Bart Bunting (Skiing)2026Christopher Scott (Cycling)2026Nick Dean (Administrator)
Australian Paralympic Medal This award recognises significant long term contribution to Paralympic sport in Australia and is the highest honour for a non-athlete.
YearName2001Marie Little2002Ron Finneran2004Adrienne Smith2005Nick Dean2008Scott Goodman2010Paul Bird2010Ken Brown2010John Coates2010Doug Denby2010Rod Kemp2022John Wylie2024Tim Matthews
See also Australia at the Paralympics Australia at the Summer Paralympics Australia at the Winter Paralympics
References