Celebrating Our Finalists in the 2026 NSW Sports Awards
The NSW Sports Champions of Sport Awards is one of the most significant nights on the NSW sporting calendar – a celebration of excellence, resilience and contribution across every level of sport. Each year, the Awards bring together athletes, officials, coaches, volunteers, administrators and organisations to recognise outstanding achievements and induct new members into the NSW Hall of Champions.
This year, we are proud to celebrate an exceptional group of finalists whose performances and contributions reflect the strength, spirit and ambition of our triathlon community.
Athlete of the Year with a Disability – Lauren Parker
A world‑class para‑triathlete, Lauren Parker continues to set the benchmark for elite para‑sport in Australia. Her achievements across multiple disciplines have made her one of the nation’s most decorated athletes. At the 2025 Para Triathlon World Championships in Wollongong, Lauren won gold in front of a home crowd, producing a world-class performance on one of the biggest stages in para triathlon. She then represented Australia in the Para Triathlon Mixed Team Relay, leading out the Australian team and helping secure a silver medal. Lauren has also demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the World Triathlon Para Series, winning every WTPS event she has competed in during the year. This sustained dominance against the world’s best para triathletes reflects not only her physical ability, but her preparation, professionalism, tactical intelligence and determination to continually perform at an elite level.
Young Athlete of the Year with a Disability – Jack Gibson
Jack Gibson represents the next generation of para‑sport talent in NSW. His development, commitment to training and breakthrough performances across the past season, stepping from NSW Pathways into High Performance environments and representing Australia have positioned him as one of the most exciting young para-athletes in the State. Jack’s nomination, which came from NSW Triathlon’s Illawarra Academy of Sport Partner, recognises not only his results, but also the maturity, determination and passion he brings to his sport.
Masters Athlete of the Year – David McEwan
A long‑standing contributor to the endurance community, and generally considered one of the nicest gentlemen in the sport, David McEwan continues to demonstrate what longevity and dedication in sport truly look like. David McEwan delivered the most outstanding performance by any Australian masters athlete during the nomination period in the sport of Triathlon, becoming a Triple World Champion at the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong. He won gold medals in the 70-74 age category in the Sprint Distance Triathlon, Standard Distance Triathlon, and Mixed Team Relay. Competing in front of a home crowd in Wollongong, David represented Australia with distinction and contributed to Australia’s record medal haul at the World Championships. His clean sweep of world titles across individual and team events showcased exceptional athletic longevity, commitment to training, professionalism and competitive excellence.
Official of the Year – Sue Horsburgh
A pillar of consistency and integrity within the sport, Sue Horsburgh embodies the values that underpin triathlon officiating – safety, fairness and an uncompromising commitment to the highest standards. During the nomination period, Sue served in senior technical leadership roles at World Triathlon Championship Series, World Para Series, T100, Oceania Cup, National Championship and Australian Championship events. Her appointments included Head Referee for the Gold Coast T100 and Head Referee for the World Triathlon Championship Series and World Para Series events in Hamburg. Sue also served as Technical Delegate at World Triathlon events, building on her previous appointment at the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals.
Administrator of the Year – Alex Fehon
An employee of AusTriathlon, Alex Fehon was nominated by NSW Triathlon for her professionalism, leadership and unwavering commitment to NSW athletes over many years, but specifically for a staggering 500 NSW members on the Australian Age Group Team representing at the Triathlon World Championships in Wollongong. Her work delivering the Age Group World Championship Program remains one of the most important and successful parts of AusTri’s overall suite of programs and perhaps the one that has impacted the most NSW based athletes, not just in the nomination period, but over the past 16 years. Alex’s nomination recognises her expertise, her integrity and her contribution to the sport’s continued growth both in NSW but equally across the nation.
Event of the Year – Triathlon World Championships, Wollongong
The Triathlon World Championships in Wollongong showcased NSW on the global stage, delivering world‑class racing against one of Australia’s most iconic coastal backdrops. A strong partnership between AusTriathlon and NSW based event delivery team – Elite Energy Events, brought together elite athletes, passionate fans and a world‑leading organising team, setting a new benchmark for major triathlon events in Australia. Its nomination reflects the scale, impact and exceptional delivery of a truly international championship.
These finalists embody everything that makes our sport special. Their achievements inspire athletes of all ages and abilities, and their contributions strengthen the fabric of triathlon across NSW.
We congratulate Lauren, Jack, Dave, Sue, Alex and the AusTriathlon and Elite Energy team for the Triathlon World Championships Wollongong, on their outstanding recognition and look forward to celebrating with them at the 2026 Sport NSW Champions of Sport Awards.
Read the media release: https://lnkd.in/gsSQbJ-Z
Purchase tickets to the Ceremony: https://lnkd.in/gwh_B4dW
