The South West Sydney Academy of Sport (SWSAS) celebrated the achievements of its athletes, coaches and volunteers at its 2026 Annual Awards Night, held at The Cube on Friday, 7 August. Around 300 guests attended the event, proudly sponsored by Campbelltown Catholic Club.

BMX athlete Isla Basa took out the evening’s highest honour, named Athlete of the Year for an incredible third consecutive year off the back of a stellar season. Isla claimed 1st in the Junior Elite Women category at the 2026 Australian Championships, 2nd at the Oceania Championships and 3rd at the World Championships, while also finishing 2nd in the Australian National Series SuperClass (PRO) Women category and holding an unassailable lead in the NSW State Super Class Series. She has since been selected into the 2026–2027 AusCycling Emerging and Developing Athlete Pathway Program.

South West Sydney Academy of Sport Regional Manager Martin Bullock said the Awards Night was a chance to celebrate the dedication of athletes, coaches and volunteers across the region.

“Every year this night reminds us just how much talent and commitment we have across South West Sydney,” Mr Bullock said.

“To see Isla back up on stage for a third year running as Athlete of the Year is a testament to her hard work, but honestly every athlete, coach and volunteer we recognised tonight deserves that same recognition. Our Academy simply wouldn’t function without the support of our partners, our coaches and our families, and nights like this are our chance to say thank you.”

The night also marked the first presentation of the Gerry Knights Leadership Award, previously known as the Chairperson’s Award, won by netball athlete Ella Gunther. Two new Life Members were inducted in recognition of their outstanding and long-standing contribution to the Academy: Gerry Knights and Peter Campbell.

2026 Major Award Recipients

Life Members Induction

Gerry Knights and Peter Campbell.

Distinguished Alumni

Emily Chalker, Jaqua Pori-Makea Simpson, Van Nguyen.

2026 Sport Award Recipients

Baseball

• Encouragement Award: Christopher Cornhill
• Commitment Award: Logan Jones
• Athlete Leadership Award: Pat Moran

Basketball

• Coaches Award (Male): Zac Towle
• Coaches Award (Female): Alexis Rootsey
• Athlete Leadership Award: Max Biela

BMX

• Encouragement Award: Noah Szakos
• Next Gen Award: Sienna Biffin
• Athlete Leadership Award: Ryder Nicholson

Golf

• Commitment Award: Tyler Hanchard
• Athlete Leadership Award: Hazel Kruger

Hockey

• Best Performing Athlete (Male): Nate Fields
• Encouragement Award (Female Development): Abigail Crawford
• Best Performing Athlete (Female): Evelyn Ryder
• Athlete Leadership Award: Nate Fields

Netball

• Next Gen Athlete (Division 1): Arijana Strickland
• Culture and Commitment (Division 2): Charlie Smith
• Athlete Leadership Award: Ella Gunther

Netball Umpire

• Coaches Award: Chloe Ton
• Athlete Leadership Award: Bianca Kral

Softball

• Encouragement Award (Male): Lachlan Hunter
• Most Improved (Male): Ashton Querci
• Most Improved (Female): Emily Byrnes
• Athlete Leadership Award: Lyall Walker

Triathlon

• Athlete Leadership Award: Matthew Fosse

Indigenous

• Athlete Leadership Award: Jazwyn Lyddieth

Future Champions

• Program Award: Charlotte Crowden – Swimming
• Program Award: Eli-Jethro Stoppel – Taekwondo
• Athlete Leadership Award: Jack Orchard – Taekwondo

Coach Recognition Awards

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport thanks its Platinum Academy Partners, the NSW Government Office of Sport and Campbelltown Catholic Club, as well as all our community and sports program sponsors for their continued support of regional athletes.

Photo credit: Luke Fuda