From world champions and international medallists to emerging stars and dedicated coaches, the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) is proud to unveil the finalists for the 2026 WAIS Awards of Excellence.
Based on performances throughout an exceptional year of international competition, the finalists represent the very best of WA sport and showcase the strength of WAIS programs across Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games pathways. Recognising achievements between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026, the awards celebrate the performances, leadership and contributions that continue to elevate Western Australian high-performance sport.
This year’s finalists are athletes who have who have delivered breakthrough performances and historic results at the highest level across a diverse range of sports and disciplines, including cycling, swimming, athletics and wheelchair basketball, while embodying the values that define WAIS: United, Care, Lead and Inspire.
The Young Athlete of the Year category highlights the next generation of WA sporting talent, with Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and wheelchair basketball rising star Ebony Stevenson joined by cycling standouts Connor Wright and Liliya Tatarinoff. Wright claimed the UCI Mountain Bike World Championship title in a dominant performance, while Tatarinoff announced herself on the senior international stage with a bronze medal at the UCI Track World Championships and further success in World Cup competition.
In the Able-bodied Athlete of the Year category, pole vault star Kurtis Marschall is recognised after another remarkable season that included a Commonwealth Games gold medal and Games record and multiple six-metre clearances. Swimming pair Iona Anderson and Inez Miller complete the finalist field following standout international campaigns that delivered medals at benchmark event Pan Pacific Championships and Commonwealth Games.
The Para Athlete of the Year finalists showcase exceptional achievement on the global stage. Wheelchair basketball world champions Frank Pinder and Phil Evans are joined by tandem cycling duo Kane Perris and pilot Luke Zaccaria, who claimed world championship gold and a world record before adding two Commonwealth Games bronze medals to an outstanding season.
WAIS’ depth of program success is reflected in the Program of the Year category, with Cycling, Swimming and Wheelchair Basketball all recognised after delivering significant international results, athlete progression and representation across major championships throughout 2026.
WAIS Chief Executive Officer Matt Fulton said the finalists exemplified the commitment, resilience and pursuit of excellence that defines high-performance sport.
“These finalists have achieved remarkable success on some of the world’s biggest stages and have represented Western Australia with distinction throughout 2026.”
“Their performances reflect not only their talent and dedication, but also the expertise and commitment of the coaches, support staff and programs that help them thrive. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the 2026 WAIS Awards of Excellence.”
In addition, WAIS celebrates outstanding achievement and exceptional contribution to the organisation through the WAIS Excellence Award, presented to a WAIS staff member whose dedication, impact and embodiment of WAIS values have set a powerful benchmark of excellence.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 WAIS Awards of Excellence at Optus Stadium on 26 November.
2026 WAIS Awards of Excellence Finalists
YOUNG ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
- Ebony Stevenson – Wheelchair Basketball
- Connor Wright – Cycling
- Liliya Tatarinoff – Cycling
ABLE-BODIED ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
- Kurtis Marschall – Athletics
- Iona Anderson – Swimming
- Inez Miller – Swimming
PARA ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
- Frank Pinder – Wheelchair Basketball
- Kane Perris / Pilot Luke Zaccaria – Para cycling
- Phil Evans – Wheelchair Basketball
PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
- Wheelchair Basketball – Head Coach Jamie O’Loughlin
- Cycling – Head Coach Shane Perkins & Coach Matt Howlett
- Swimming – Head Coach Ian Hulme
WAIS EXCELLENCE AWARD
- Jason Weber – Strength & Conditioning Lead
- Jamie O’Loughlin – Head Coach Wheelchair Basketball
- Claire Halliday – Marketing & Communications Manager
- Andrew Dawson – Data Insights Manager
