UniSport Australia Celebrates Student-Athletes and Sporting Excellence at 2025 Sports Awards

UniSport Australia has recognised the outstanding achievements of student-athletes, volunteers, officials and university sporting programs from across the country at the 2025 UniSport Australia Sports Awards.

Presented as part of UniSport Australia’s annual conference and awards dinner, hosted by RMIT University, the awards celebrate excellence across all areas of university sport, from international sporting success and leadership to participation, wellbeing and community impact.

This year’s recipients reflect the growing influence of university sport within Australia’s sporting landscape, with winners including world champions, Paralympic medallists, FISU champions, emerging national representatives and innovative university-led participation programs helping shape healthier and more connected campus communities.

Among the major award recipients were Annabel Sutherland and Tim Hodge, recognised following exceptional performances on the international stage, while universities and student leaders from across the country were acknowledged for their contribution to participation, inclusion and community-building through sport.

Most Outstanding Sporting Performance by a Student-Athlete

Annabel Sutherland (The University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Science) was recognised following another remarkable year in international cricket.

Sutherland claimed Cricket Australia’s Belinda Clark Medal for the second consecutive year and became the first female cricketer to score a Test century at the MCG, producing an extraordinary innings of 168 against England during the Women’s Ashes.

She also finished the year ranked as the world’s number one T20 bowler by the International Cricket Council and played a leading role at the ODI World Cup, where she finished as Australia’s leading wicket-taker.

Most Outstanding Sporting Performance by an Indigenous Student-Athlete

Mackenzie Davis (Australian Catholic University, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy) received the award following a breakout season in Rugby Sevens.

Representing the Dunghutti Nation of Northern NSW, Davis made her senior debut for Australia during the 2024/25 SVNS season and scored 16 tries across 25 appearances in her first international campaign.

Her performances also saw her recognised as Rugby Australia’s Young Player of the Year.

Most Outstanding Sporting Performance by a Student-Athlete with a Disability

Tim Hodge (Western Sydney University, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)) was honoured after another outstanding year in the pool.

At the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, Hodge secured three world titles and five medals overall, including gold in the 200m Individual Medley and 100m Backstroke.

The Paralympic gold medallist also opened his season with nine medals at the Para Swimming World Series in Melbourne and was awarded an OAM in recognition of his contribution to sport following the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Female Student-Athlete of the Year

Georgia Harris (Griffith University, Bachelor of Business) claimed the Female Student-Athlete of the Year award after a historic campaign at the 2025 FISU World University Summer Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.

Harris won gold in the women’s 100m, delivering Australia’s first gold medal of the Games, before helping secure Australia’s first-ever sprint relay medal with victory in the women’s 4x100m relay.

During the Games, Harris also openly shared her experience of living with epilepsy, using her platform to reduce stigma and support others navigating invisible conditions in high performance sport.

Male Student-Athlete of the Year

Benjamin Guse (Southern Cross University, Master of Osteopathic Medicine) was recognised following an exceptional season in athletics.

Guse won the decathlon title at both the 2025 FISU World University Summer Games and the Australian Track and Field Championships, while also claiming gold at UniSport Nationals Athletics.

Across the season, he recorded nine personal best performances across the ten disciplines of the decathlon.

Most Outstanding University Sport Project/Program

The thrive* program from Victoria University was recognised for its contribution to increasing participation in sport, recreation and active living across the university community.

Designed to provide accessible and low-barrier opportunities for participation, the program recorded more than 62,000 student engagements and over 24,000 staff engagements in 2025.

The initiative has become recognised for its shared participation model, bringing students and staff together through a unified program structure aimed at strengthening campus connection and wellbeing.

Most Outstanding Contribution by a Student Volunteer

Lucas Grigg (RMIT University, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Aerospace)) received the award for his contribution to university futsal in Victoria.

Grigg established the Victorian Intervarsity Futsal League, bringing together six teams from five Victorian universities and significantly expanding competitive opportunities for students.

He also secured official recognition for the league through a partnership with the Australian Futsal Association and successfully delivered the competition at no cost to participating students, improving accessibility and inclusion.

Club Leadership Award

Sydney University Athletics Club claimed the Club Leadership Award following another strong year both on and off the track.

The club recorded substantial membership growth, increased participation in para-athletics and delivered RUNSYDUNI, the university’s largest-ever campus fun run.

At the same time, the club successfully defended its UniSport Nationals Athletics titles, continuing its long-standing success in university athletics.

Official of the Year

Vincenzo Rovetto (RMIT University) was recognised for his leadership and contribution to the RMIT Big V basketball program.

Since taking over as Senior Men’s Head Coach in 2023, Rovetto has led the program through its most successful period, including a finals appearance in the team’s first season competing in the Big V Championship division.

Alongside on-court success, he was recognised for his commitment to athlete development, wellbeing and mentoring across the broader program.

Team of the Year

The Men’s 3×3 Basketball Team from The University of Melbourne was named Team of the Year following an exceptional 2025 campaign.

The team claimed titles at the UniSport Nationals 3×3 Basketball Championships and the FISU Oceania 3×3 Basketball Championships before securing a bronze medal at the FISU 3×3 Basketball World Cup.

All four student-athletes were also members of the university’s successful New Balance University Basketball League and UniSport Nationals basketball programs during the year.

Alek Bandilovski (Bachelor of Commerce)
Dihan Wigget (Bachelor of Commerce)
Joshua McNally (Master of Teaching)
Kai Garnaut (Bachelor of Arts)

The 2025 UniSport Australia Sports Awards highlighted the depth and diversity of achievement occurring across university sport in Australia, from elite international performance through to grassroots leadership, volunteering and participation initiatives.

The awards also reinforced the important role universities continue to play in supporting student-athletes, creating opportunities for community connection and wellbeing, and developing the next generation of leaders both on and off the field.

With representation spanning high performance sport, disability sport, Indigenous sport, volunteering, officiating and participation programming, this year’s recipients reflected the broad impact of university sport across the Australian sporting landscape.

UniSport Australia congratulates all finalists and award recipients recognised throughout the evening.