The annual UWA Sports Awards, held on Friday 24 October, celebrated a historic moment, recognising excellence within the university sporting community at the new Neil Donaldson Pavilion.

The night-time event, presented by MC Trish Rechichi, was attended by a variety of members of the UWA Sport community. Special guests included President of UWA Sport Council Taneesha Stallbaum, UWA School of Indigenous Studies representative Dougie Nelson, UWA Convocation Member Devon Cuneo and members of the UWA Sports Advisory Group and board members. 

Proceedings began with a Welcome to Country by Whadjuk, Wilman and Kaneang Nyoongar man, Alton Walley, who also led the cultural performance with the Middar Dancers before UWA Sport General Manager Jake Wilkins commenced formalities and delivered an inspiring Welcome Address.

UWA Sports Council President Taneesha Stallbaum spoke to the importance of sporting volunteers and club members in building a successful club, before acknowledging the 75th anniversary of the UWA Squash Club and the UWA Fencing Club.

This year, 3 students received the UWA Sport Club Service Award, acknowledging a minimum of three years’ sporting commitment alongside dedicated service to their UWA Affiliated Sports Club.

Club Service recipients often have a lasting effect and profound impact on their club and sport during their time at UWA. This year’s recipients are: 

• Alexander Melville, University Cricket Club  
• Benjamin Deacon, UWA Ultimate Club
• Taneesha Stallbaum, UWA Outdoor Club

9 UWA community members were also recognised with Club Letters. To be awarded a Club Letter, recipients achieved either sporting performance excellence or were acknowledged for their significant contribution to sport at UWA.  Congratulations to the following Club Letter Award winners: 

• Andrew Brown, UWA Boat Club
• Bernard Greyling, University Cricket Club
• John Downes, UWA Fencing Club
• Mary Gwynne, UWA Hockey Club
• Manu Nair, UWA Volleyball Club
• Sam Watkins, UWA Nedlands Football Club
• Tom Wickham, UWA Hockey Club
• Tracy Stillitano, UWA Baseball & Softball Club
• Tristan Ward, UWA Outdoor Club

UWA Sport continued its commitment in recognising the incredible volunteers who are key drivers and contributors to sport at UWA and the wider community. This year, the Volunteer of the Year award was presented to UWA Boat Club member, Megan Bagworth for her historic leadership as the first female president of the club. Megan has been recognised for her incredible vision, integrity and innovation that has transformed the club’s culture and operations. Through her leadership, UWA Boat Club has thrived both on and off the water, winning State Championships, revitalising the Shenton College junior rowing program, and recruiting the club’s first full-time head coach. Megan has championed equity and inclusion and has strengthened community partnerships.

For a second year in a row, the Coach of the Year award was presented to a UWA West Coast Swimming Club Coach. Congratulations to Brooke Kemp, who has demonstrated exceptional coaching across every level of swimming, from developing junior athletes through to representing Australia as a coach at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships. Brooke’s expertise has been recognised nationally as a participant in the Australian Institute Generation 2032 Coach Program. This year, Brooke led UWA West Coast Swimming Club teams at the 20^th Singapore National Swimming Championships achieving multiple medal success.

First presented in 1957 and since awarded to over 60 students, the Sports Star of the Year Award recognises the individual achievements of our most elite student athletes. This year, Kyle Lee was named the winner of this prestigious award. One of Australia’s leading open water swimmers, Kyle’s achieved great success this year marked by national dominance and international success. At the 2025 Australian Open Water Championships, Kyle was crowned as a triple Australian Champion, winning gold in 10km, 5km and the 4x1250m Mixed Relay event. On the world stage, Kyle represented Australia at the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming Championships, where he won bronze in the 10km Open Water event, placed 7^th in the 5km Open Water event, and secured 5^th in the 4x1500m Mixed Relay event. These results reinforce his status as a world class athlete.

The Champion Club award, one of the most hotly contested awards was presented to the University Cricket Club. This award is presented to an UWA Affiliate Sports Club that demonstrated excellence in the areas of participation, performance, and inclusion over the past 12 months. The University Cricket Club has enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in the club’s 112-year history, combining excellence on the field with strong community engagement and development off-field. In 2025, UWACC made history by winning the ‘First Grade’ Premiership at the WACA for the first time in 50 years, alongside the Colts T20 Premiership. These top-grade performances help secured the club the prestigious WA Premier Cricket Club Championship title. UWACC has proven to be leader in the inclusion and wellbeing space, launching the Kevin O’Keeffe Indigenous Scholarship which has resulted in positive impacts in the lives of UWA Cricket Club coaches. From its long-running mental health program to new high-performance workshops for multicultural youth and the club’s active participation in the UWA Sport LGBTQIA+ Allyship in Sport program, UWACC exemplifies what it means to be a champion club.

Congratulations to all award nominees, finalists and winners, and thank you to all who attended.