08 November 2019
World number one Ash Barty and cricket superstar Ellyse Perry feature on a stellar list of Australian athletes as finalists for the annual AIS Sport Performance Awards popular vote in 2019, with Australian fans to decide the winners
The Australian Institute of Sport, in partnership with ABC Grandstand, is calling on the Australian public to determine the ABC Sport Personality of the Year and the Best Sporting Moment of the past 12-months, which will be announced at the AIS Sport Performance Awards at The Star, Sydney on Tuesday 10th December.
Fresh from securing the year end world no. 1 ranking and about to lead Australia’s Fed Cup hopes in Perth, Barty features in the short-list of finalists for both Australia’s most popular sporting individual and the award for most inspirational moment that defined 2019. Perry is also in the mix across the two categories with an outstanding individual performance during Australia’s successful Ashes campaign as the leading run scorer and wicket taker of the series.
Now in its sixth year, the AIS Sport Performance Awards recognise Australia’s leading athletes, teams and coaches, and celebrate their outstanding achievements in high performance sport.
AIS CEO Peter Conde says the public choice award categories give Australian sporting fans the opportunity to become involved in the prestigious event and get behind their favourite athlete or team.
“Each year I am astonished by the quality of the short-list for these awards, and thankfully the Australian public has the tough task of picking the winners,” said Conde.
“2019 has once again delivered outstanding individual and team performances, whether it be Ash Barty inspiring the nation on the road to becoming the world number one, Michael Roeger smashing the world record in just his second marathon or Ariarne Titmus completing an extraordinary upset in the 400m freestyle final at the World Championships.”
“We urge everyone to consider what matters most to you, be it inclusiveness, diversity, leadership along with performance and jump online to make your vote count.”
ABC Grandstand is the media partner for the #ASPAS and Australians can vote at aisawards.abc.net.au from now until 5pm AEDT on 5 December, 2019.
Finalists for the remainder of the awards will be revealed in the coming weeks, including both male and female athlete and para-athlete of the year and the Sport Australia Spirit of Sport award.
ABC Sport Personality of the Year nominees
Ash Barty (Tennis)
Sally Fitzgibbons (Surfing)
Hannah Green (Golf)
Ariarne Titmus (Swimming)
Ellyse Perry (Cricket)
Patty Mills (Basketball)
Dylan Alcott (Wheelchair-Tennis)
Nat Fyfe (AFL)
James Tedesco (Rugby League)
Scotty James (Snowboard)
Caleb Ewan (Cycling)
Steve Smith (Cricket)
ABC Sporting Moment of the Year nominees
BARTY’S DOUBLE TRIUMPH (Tennis): Ash Barty becomes the first Australian French Open singles
champion in 46 years and became the new world No. 1
WOMEN’S ASHES GLORY IN ENGLAND (Cricket): The Australian Women’s Cricket Team continued their dominance by ensuring the Ashes remained in Australian hands
MEN’S ASHES GLORY IN ENGLAND (Cricket): For the first time in 18-years, the Australian Men’s Cricket Team retained the Ashes on English soil
KOOKABURRAS WIN PRO LEAGUE (Hockey): Australia defeated Belgium in a thrilling 3-2 final to claim the inaugural FIH Pro League title
PICKETT’S FAIRYTALE AFL DEBUT (AFL): Richmond’s Marlion Pickett starred on debut in the AFL Grand Final, picking up 22 possessions and finishing third in the Norm Smith Medal
AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS BEAT TEAM USA (Basketball): An exhibition game in Melbourne saw the Boomers record a 98-94 defeat over basketball powerhouse, Team USA
KELSEY-LEE BARBER, WORLD JAVELIN CHAMPION (Athletics): A 66.65 metre throw in Doha was enough to secure Kelsey-Lee Barber the gold medal, becoming just the ninth Australian to win a world athletics title
HANNAH GREEN’S MAJOR MOMENT (Golf): A surprise Women’s PGA Championship for Hannah Green, beating her previous best major finish of equal 16th.
MATILDAS’ WORLD CUP COMEBACK FOR THE AGES (Football): Australia came from 0-2 down just before halftime to upset home crowd favourite Brazil 3-2 at the Women’s World Cup
NSW SWIFTS WIN MAIDEN SUPER NETBALL TITLE (Netball): The Swifts devastated favourites Sunshine Coast Lighting in the decider to win their first Super Netball title
MICHAEL ROEGER WINS LONDON MARATHON (Para-Athletics): Triple Paralympian Michael Roeger not only broke the world record in the T46 class at the London Marathon, but did so in just his second ever marathon.
RARE SWIMMING DOUBLE AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Swimming): Both the men’s and women’s 4x200m freestyle relay teams took home gold at the world championships in South Korea
THREE MORE MAJORS FOR DYLAN ALCOTT (Wheelchair-Tennis): Dylan Alcott added three more trophies to the cabinet, securing victory at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
ROOSTERS WIN CONSECUTIVE NRL PREMIERSHIPS (Rugby League): The Sydney Roosters went back-to-back after defeating the Canberra Raiders in the NRL premiership decider
SAILING WORLD CHAMPIONS - AGAIN (Sailing): Sailing duo Matt Belcher and Will Ryan claimed the men’s 470 World Championship and secured an early selection ticket to Tokyo.