Awards and recognition

Athletes, coaches, officials, and administrators who are known to be LGBTIQ+ have been recognised over the years through different awards for their contribution to sport and society, providing valuable role models for inclusion and participation of LGBTIQ+ participants.
Awards and honours help define, encourage and reinforce excellence. Australia has a system of honours and awards so its citizens can be recognised for excellence, achievement, or meritorious service.
Australia’s honours system was established in 1975 with the creation of the Order of Australia, replacing the previous Imperial system of British honours that were phased out by the 1980's. 1
Order of AustraliaThe Australian honours system has been designed to ensure anyone can nominate, opens in a new tab a member of the sporting community for an award in the Order of Australia.
Search for previous Order of Australia recipients
The easiest way to find someone that has been recognised with an award is to search the Prime Minister and Cabinet database, opens in a new tab.
Australian of the Year awardsLGBTIQ+ athletes have been recognised for their service to sport and the community through Australian of the Year award, opens in a new tab recognition. These include:
Young Australian of the Year Award recipients:2000 - Ian Thorpe, opens in a new tab (Swimming)
2018 - Samantha Kerr, opens in a new tab (Football)
Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF)The Sport Australia Hall of Fame, opens in a new tab (SAHOF) recognises and promotes the outstanding sporting achievements of our sportspeople to preserve Australia’s rich sporting heritage. A number of LGBTIQ+ individuals have been recognised through various awards.
SAHOF Membership is divided into two categories: Athlete members, opens in a new tab (who have competed at the top level of competition available in their chosen sport), and General members, opens in a new tab (selected for excellence and outstanding achievements in roles supportive to sports participants such as: administration, coaching/training, sports media/history, sports science/technology and sports umpiring, refereeing, judging).
Legends of Australian SportIn 1993 the SAHOF introduced the 'Legends of Australian Sport, opens in a new tab' category for Members who have distinguished themselves at the absolute highest level and whose achievements are considered part of Australian folklore. A Member must be 15 years retired before being considered for elevation to the category.
Raelene Boyle (Athletics)
Ian Thorpe (Swimming)
The Don AwardIn 1998 the SAHOF introduced the Don Award, opens in a new tab, named after Sir Donald Bradman. The Award honours a current Australian athlete who, by their achievements and example over the previous 12 months, are considered to have had the capacity to most inspire the nation.
2023 - The Matildas at the FIFA Women's World Cup, opens in a new tab (Football)
Australian Sports Commission (ASC)AIS Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs). Celebrating the outstanding achievements of athletes, teams, coaches, volunteers and leaders in Australian high-performance sport.
The ASC Media Awards recognise excellence in sports journalism, broadcasting and production, with the ultimate aim of fostering improved coverage of key issues within sport. Categories include:
Best depiction of inclusive sport. This award recognises the best example of media that depicts the inclusiveness of sport and/or sporting communities.
Pride in Sport AwardsStarting in 2017 the annual Pride in Sport Awards, opens in a new tab recognise outstanding advocacy, support, and/or contribution to LGBTQ+ inclusion within sport by leaders, role models, allies and more.
In 2024, opens in a new tab awards were presented in categories including:
Ally of the Year
Executive Leadership Award
LGBTQ Inclusive Initiative Award
Inclusive Coach of the Year
LGBTQ Role Model of the Year
Positive Media Award
An additional four awards, based on the results of the 2024 Pride in Sport Index, were also announced:
Sporting Organisation of the Year
Community Sporting Organisation of the Year
Most Improved Sporting Organisations
Gold, Silver and Bronze tier Sporting Organisations
REFERENCESTimeline for Australia’s Honours and Awards, opens in a new tab, Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, (accessed 5 August 2025).
The Order of Australia, opens in a new tab, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, (accessed 5 August 2025).
See more on this topic:Overview
Benefits of Sport
Factors influencing participation
Policies, programs, and supporting structures
Awards and recognition
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