The annual UniSA Sport Awards were held on November 28th at The Sanctuary Adelaide Zoo. In excess of 140 guests attended the 12th annual cocktail event to celebrate Team UniSA's outstanding sportspeople, volunteers, clubs, and teams.
Isobel Borlase, member of the Australian Women’s Basketball Team “The Opals” who won Bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marked the occasion as guest speaker of the night. Isobel’s inspiring presentation took the audience on a captivating journey through her childhood and life as a professional athlete, all whist pursuing a Bachelor of Health Science at the University.
The UniSA Sport Awards featured an impressive lineup of nominees and finalists across all categories, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication within our sporting community.
We extend our sincere congratulations to all the nominees, finalists, and winners of the 2024 UniSA Sport Awards.
List of winners in their respective categories:
Female Athlete of the Year
Isobel Borlase – Basketball
Male Athlete of the Year
Matthew Glaetzer – Track Cycling
Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability
Katelin-Marie Gunn – Wheelchair Basketball
Club Administrator of the Year
Ernesto Covino – UniSA Eagles American Football Club
Volunteer of the Year
Riley Hart - UniSA Hockey Club and UniSA Pedal Prix Club
Team of the Year
UniSA Pedal Prix Team EVO
Club of the Year
UniSA Motorsport Club
Wirringka Outstanding Achievement in Sport
Isabella Guthrie – Athletics
Athlete Development Program (ADP) Spirit Award
Lillee Wakefield – Athletics and Judo
Georgie Rowe Outstanding Achievement Award
Matthew Glaetzer – Track Cycling
In addition, the following individuals were each presented a Club Colours Award for their contributions to the development and growth of their respective UniSA Sport clubs:
• Wing Hei Sing – UniSA Wing Chun Kung Fu Club
• Isaac Monty Horsfall-Sutton – UniSA Wing Chun Kung Fu Club
• Chantelle Badenhop – UniSA Ultimate Club
• Darcy Strudwick – UniSA Pedal Prix Club
• Yousef Musallam – UniSA Eagles American Football Club
• Heather Cooper – UniSA Eagles American Football Club
• Tim Straker – UniSA Eagles American Football Club
• Ky Cooper – UniSA Eagles American Football Club
• Cooper Launer – UniSA Motorsport Club
• Peter Bellchambers – UniSA Motorsport Club
• Jamie Damiani – UniSA Motorsport Club
• Joseph White – UniSA Motorsport Club
• Jack Hudswell – UniSA Motorsport Club
• Matthew Allen – UniSA Pedal Prix Club
• Melissa Hobbs – UniSA Kendo Club
• James Harata-Lee – UniSA Kendo Club
• Ali McCarron – UniSA Hockey Club
The Half Blues Awards were presented to exceptional students who achieved sporting success at the state or national representative level, all while actively participating in university sports:
• Cameron Elsdon – Lacrosse
• Jack Grosser – Athletics
• Alana Eig - Lacrosse
• Jake Nesbitt – Cycling
• Ytharth Madaan - Badminton
• Meiko Ikariyama – Kendo
• Taichi Igarashi - Kendo
• Tiana Cetta – Athletics
• Olivia Hastings – Athletics
• Emily White – Swimming
• Jasmin Fullgrabe – Swimming
• Luc Lindsay - Swimming
• Isobella Nitschke – Wheelchair Basketball
• Sophie Fenton-Killick - Netball
• Abigail Faulkner – Orienteering
Blues Awards were presented to students who not only achieved outstanding sporting success, but also represented Australia on the international stage or competed as a professional athlete in a national competition, all while making significant contributions to university sports as participants and/or volunteers:
• Isabella Guthrie - Athletics
• Ruby Halloran – Box Lacrosse
• Katelin-Marie Gunn – Wheelchair Basketball
• Tryphena Hewett – Athletics
• Nellie Langford – Athletics
• Matthew Glaetzer – Track Cycling
• Frederick Sands – Canoe Polo
• Will Polley – Canoe Polo
• Alexander Trewartha – Canoe Polo
The 2024 VC Cup was presented to the overall winning unit, UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance (ALH).
Finally, Jessica Musson, UniSA Alumni, past president of the UniSA Pedal Prix Club and vice president of the UniSA Netball Club, was presented the UniSport Australia 2023 Official of the Year Award.
A special acknowledgement to senior Kaurna man, Cliffy Wilson for delivering the Welcome to Country; and Kym Miaco for the music entertainment.
We would like to express our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of UniSA Sport throughout the year. Your passion, dedication, and hard work have truly made a difference. As we bid farewell to 2024, we eagerly look forward to another year of celebrating achievements and creating lasting memories in 2025.