UniSport Australia Awards
​UniSport Australia Sports Awards follow a long tradition of recognising the success of Australian students, student-athletes and university sport programs. This year the below categories were awarded at the 2025 UniSport National Conference at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Adelaide on Tuesday 20 May.
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Most outstanding performance by a student-athlete with a disability
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Most outstanding performance by an Indigenous student-athlete
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Most outstanding sporting achievement by a student-athlete
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Student-athlete of the year
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Most outstanding university sport project/program
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Most outstanding contribution by a student volunteer
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Club leadership award
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Official of the year
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Team of the year
2024 Award Winners
Most Outstanding Performance by a Student-Athlete with a Disability
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Emily Beecroft
Bachelor of Communications (Social Media), University of the Sunshine Coast
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In 2024, Emily represented Australia at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Swimming. Winning gold in the Mixed 4x100m Freestyle relay and bronze in the Women’s 100m Butterfly S9.
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She is also heavily involved in UniSC Sport, recognised by the organisation as a valued ambassador for her efforts in actively promoting student sport and fostering a strong campus sporting culture.
Most Outstanding Sporting Achievement by an Indigenous Student-Athlete
Anna Solomon
Bachelor of Social Work, Federation University Australia​
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Anna was Victoria’s inaugural First Nations netball team captain, and the first ever signing for the Gippsland Stars 23 & Under team. She is a coach’s dream with her strong leadership skills, athleticism, and willingness to share her knowledge. This circle defender can play further up the court, has great pace and is an excellent reader of the ball.
As a first-year student in 2024 and member of the Elite Athlete Program, Anna immersed herself in all the representative opportunities available. Driving engagement with fellow students to compete at Indigenous Nationals and being a leader of the Netball team at UniSport Nationals.
Most Outstanding Sporting Achievement by an Indigenous Student-Athlete
Charlie Pade
Bachelor of Project Management, The University of Sydney
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In 2024, Charlie competed both domestically and internationally, steadily earning more ITF ranking points. Last October, he put up a strong fight to secure his second ATP point. These achievements have propelled him to a career-high ITF ranking of 337 and a position of 1587 in the highly coveted ATP rankings.
Charlie is also heavily involved at sport at his university, as a member of the Elite Athlete Program, CommBank Named Scholarship holder, Recipient of the Sydney Uni Blue, and receiving 1st place in the inaugural University Tennis League.
Most Outstanding Sporting Performance by a Student-Athlete
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Jemima Montag
Doctor of Medicine, The University of Melbourne
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Jemima won two bronze medals for Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in both the women’s 20km Race Walk and Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay. This made her only the sixth Australian woman to win two medals in athletics at one Games. In winning her individual bronze, she also broke her own national record with a 1:26.25 performance in stifling conditions.
Student-Athlete of the Year
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Camryn Newton-Smith
Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary), University of Southern Queensland
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Roman dominated the High Jump event at the 2024 UniSport Nationals Athletics where he won the gold medal with a clearance of 2.23cm, which was a whopping 11cm clear of second place. The result had Roman placed as the third best Australian high jumper at the time, only behind two Olympians. This was his second straight gold medal in the high jump event at Nationals Athletics.
Student-Athlete of the Year
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Roman Anastasios
Bachelor of Fine Arts, The University of Melbourne
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Camryn had a record breaking year in 2024, with her key achievements including holding the Australian University Heptathlon record, and being the Australian University Nationals Champions for both the Heptathlon and 100m Hurdles events.
Camryn also had success outside of the university sport sector, as she was the Australian National Champion and Oceania Champion in Heptathlon, as well as a 2024 Paris Olympic Games representative.
Most Outstanding University Sport Project/ Program
UWA Sport - LGBTQIA+ Allyship in Sport Program
The University of Western Australia
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Launched in December 2023, the UWA Sport LGBTQIA+ Allyship in Sport Program is a ground-breaking initiative and the first of its kind in Western Australia. This program has made significant strides in fostering an inclusive and welcoming sporting environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The program equips UWA affiliated sport clubs with the resources and training needed to champion LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Each participating club nominates a Club Active Ally, who undergoes specialised training to promote allyship, anti-discrimination principles, and respectful behaviours. By leveraging sport as a tool for social change, the program enhances awareness, strengthens community cohesion, and drives cultural shift towards greater inclusivity within the UWA sporting landscape.
Most Outstanding Contribution by a Student Volunteer
Liam Tully
Bachelor of Commerce, The University of Melbourne
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As the volunteer Athletics Team Manager for The University of Melbourne, a role he has undertaken for the past three years, Liam was responsible for recruiting the 2024 Nationals Athletics team. In 2024 a team of 21 men and 10 women competed, an increase of 40% on 2023, with both the men’s and women’s team finishing in 5th – a significant improvement on 8th/5th and 12th/11th finishes in 2023 and 2022 respectively.
Liam is also a volunteer committee member of the Melbourne University Athletics Club and contributes to many facets of the club’s operations. He was also the instigator of the club’s 2024 Big Freeze MND fundraising initiative after the passing of Club Stalwart and Intervarsity Coach, Terry Reade.
Most Outstanding Contribution by a Student Volunteer
James Henderson
Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Environment and Society, RMIT University
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James was the volunteer Surf Club President from 2023 to 2024 while studying at RMIT University. During his tenure as President, James led a period of exceptional growth and engagement with 550 students participating in beginner surf lessons and record levels of involvement withing the RMIT community. He also founded Wattle, an initiative dedicated to revitalising the environment such as Yarra Riverbank through activities such as weeding, planting and mulching. James was also a passionate advocate for fundraising, raising over $15,000 for charities including MakeAWave and GoodSurf through the RMIT Surf Club.
While James has since stepped down as President and moved into a role with RMIT Student Life his legacy continues to inspire the club’s ongoing success.
Club Leadership Award
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RMIT Surf Club
RMIT University
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The RMIT Surf Club demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to building the capacity of sport within the university by deliver water safety and surfing lessons to over 200 RMIT students during the 2024 academic year. They organised 22 diverse events aimed at engaging new students, particularly international students, in the sport of surfing.
The club promoted positive attitudes, behaviours, and culture within the university sporting community through various initiatives including Charity Gig Nights. These events promoted local student banks and raised $11,124 for the charities GoodSurf and SurfAid.
Official of the Year
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Amelia Smith
Graduate, The University of Melbourne
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Amelia coached The University of Melbourne’s women’s basketball team to the gold medal at UniSport Nationals. Undefeated throughout the tournament’s four pool and three finals’ games, the team dominated all-comers to score 410 points for and only 212 points against, with an average winning margin of 27 points per game.
Her coaching class came to the fore in the finals where she managed tiring bodies and higher pressure games. Amelia’s player and game management was especially outstanding in the gold medal game where her coaching was arguably the difference between two highly talented teams.
Team of the Year
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Monash Cheer & Dance / Team Australia
Monash University
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In 2024, Monash Cheer and Dance had the opportunity to represent Australia at the FISU University World Championships for Cheerleading and Dance. This was a prestigious opportunity that the teams secured through winning both the Cheer and Dance pennants at the UniSport Nationals in 2023. Last August, 52 athletes travelled to Croatia and represented Monash University and UniSport Australia at the championship coming away with:
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Gold in Cheer,
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Silver in Hip Hop,
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Gold in Pom,
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Gold in Jazz, and
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Silver in Pom Doubles.
Previous Award Winners
2023 UniSport Australia Award Winners
Most Outstanding Performance by a Student-Athlete with a Disability
Curtis McGrath - Griffith University
Bachelor of Aviation Management​
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Most Outstanding Achievement by an Indigenous Student-Athlete
Emily Watts - The University of Sydney
Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education)
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Most Outstanding Sporting Performance by a Student-Athlete
Jakara Anthony - Deakin University
Bachelor of Business
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Student-Athlete of the Year (Female)
Cara Feain-Ryan - The University of Queensland
Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
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Student-Athlete of the Year (Male)
Reece Holder - Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Urban Development
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Most Outstanding University Sport Project/Program
Women in Sport Leadership Retreat - Monash University​
RMIT Sports Media Program - RMIT University
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Most Outstanding Contribution by a Student Volunteer
Adila Abdul Halim - The University of Adelaide
PhD Astrophysics​
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Club Leadership Award
La Trobe University Football Club (AFL)​
La Trobe University
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Official of the Year
Jessica Musson - University of South Australia​
Bachelor of Business
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Team of the Year
USYD 3x3 Basketball Men's Team - The University of Sydney