Full list of 2024 SASI Awards winners
SASI Para Athlete of the Year – Jed Altschwager and Nikki Ayers (Para-rowing)
Jed and Nikki etched their names into the history books this year, claiming Australia’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal in Para-rowing. The reigning World Champions were favourites going into the PR3 Mixed Double final in Paris following an incredible qualifying campaign. This included a gold medal performance at the World Cup III in Poznan, and they were crowned as National Champions at the 2024 Australian Rowing Championships.
SASI Female Athlete of the Year – Steph Talbot (Basketball)
After spending much of 2023 off the court due to an ACL rupture, this year Steph returned fully fit and keen to make an impact in the Opals team. She was selected to play in her third Olympic Games where the Aussies eventually went on to win a bronze medal in Paris. In their final match, Steph came up with the biggest play of the game, blocking a three-point attempt and helping the Opals to secure their first Olympic medal since London 2012.
SASI Male Athlete of the Year – Oliver Bleddyn (Cycling)
Oliver had a Games to remember in his Olympic debut. Racing in the men’s team pursuit, the Australian team put the world on notice, obliterating the world record by 1.302 seconds to finish the first round in a time of 3:40.730 and securing a position in the gold medal race. Another blistering performance from Oliver and his teammates in the final saw the Aussies win gold over Great Britain and contribute to Australia’s biggest medal haul day in Olympic history.
SASI Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Lucy Sharman (Hockey)
Lucy is set to make a name for herself in the hockey world. She represented Australia in the Jillaroos squad in the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup 2023. The defender impressed in this competition and went on to be selected in the 2024 Hockeyroos squad. In what she described as a dream come true, Lucy made her debut for the Hockeyroos in the FIH Pro League in India. She now has 15 international caps under her belt in a standout first season.
SASI Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Tayte Ryan (Cycling)
Tayte is quickly establishing himself as a rising star in the sprinting ranks. At his first Oceania Track Championships, he claimed four golds including the kilo, which he won racing in the rainbow jersey. At the UCI Junior Track World Championships, he became the first Australian junior to break 10 seconds in the flying 200m with a time of 9.884 on his way to the men’s sprint gold medal. He then went another level in the men’s 1000m time trial, claiming gold and joining the sub-minute kilo club with a new world record of 59.875.
Amy Gillett-Safe Award – Matthew Glaetzer (Cycling)
Matthew has demonstrated passion and persistence throughout his cycling career, having competed at four Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games and multiple World Championship events. Going into the Paris Olympics, he had won National, Oceania, Commonwealth and World Championship gold but an Olympic medal had always alluded him. It was his drive to complete his medal collection which ultimately motivated him to get out of bed every day and gain selection on the Australian Olympic Team this year. In Paris, Matthew achieved his dream and came away with two medals, claiming bronze in both the men’s team sprint and the men’s keirin. In addition to his success on the track, Matthew has been a role model within the community through his work with the Olympics Unleashed program and the strength he has demonstrated to win a battle with thyroid cancer.
SASI Coach of the Year – Christine MacLaren (Rowing)
Christine is the SASI Rowing Talent Pathway Coordinator, working with junior athletes who are discovered through the SASI Talent Search program and assisting them to reach their highest potential. Under Christine’s guidance, Jed Altschwager and Nikki Ayers were crowned Paralympic champions in the PR3 Mixed Double Sculls this year. Christine is the first woman to coach a gold medal at a Games in Australian rowing history.
SASI Heart Award – David Haydon (Sports Engineer)
David humbly describes his role as a “mechanic” for Australia’s Para athletics stars, but the engineer by trade’s technical expertise extends far beyond quick fixes. Working in performance support, he is one of the brains behind fine-tuning equipment for the sport’s biggest names. In an underrated component of Para-athletics, David operates behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the biggest stage – handling wheelchairs, throwing frames and prosthetics.
Program Athletes of the Year:
- Beach Volleyball – Zachery Schubert
- Canoe Sprint – Maguire Reid
- Cycling – Wil Holmes
- Diving – Jaxon Bowshire
- Hockey – Lucy Sharman
- Individual Athlete Program – Sam von Einem (Para-table tennis)
- Netball – Lucy Voyvodic
- Rowing – Nikki Ayers
- Swimming – Matt Temple
