Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM congratulated the finalists across the 12 award categories, who will be honoured at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday December 15.

“The ASPAs is a true celebration of Australian high performance sport and the fact we have more than 20 different sports represented across the award categories is a reminder of how many wonderful moments we’ve experienced this year,” Mr Perkins said.

“We were privileged to start 2022 by cheering on our Winter Olympians and Paralympians in Beijing, while only a few months ago the nation was inspired by Australia topping the medal tally at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

“I want to thank the sports who have nominated these performances and also our judging panel, including representatives from the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and Commonwealth Games Australia.”

“It has been a brilliant way to kick-start our green and gold decade towards Brisbane 2032 and I look forward to celebrating with all our finalists and friends across sport next month.

Two new awards have been added this year, the Win Well Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award, which pays tribute to the vital role volunteers play at all levels in Australian sport.

The winners of each category will be announced at a black-tie function in Sydney on Thursday 15 December 2022.

Full list of the 2022 ASPA Finalists:

Female Athlete of the Year

Alyssa Healy, Cricket Australia

Charlotte Caslick, Rugby Australia

Jakara Anthony OAM, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia

Jessica Stenson, Athletics Australia

Liz Watson, Netball Australia

Female Para-athlete of the Year

Emily Petricola, AusCycling

Jessica Gallagher, Rowing Australia

Katja Dedekind, Swimming Australia

Qian Yang, Table Tennis Australia

Male Athlete of the Year

Cam Smith, Golf Australia

Kieran Woolley, Skate Australia

Scott James, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia

Zac Stubblety-Cook, Swimming Australia

Male Para-athlete of the Year

Ben Tudhope, Snow Australia

Col Pearse, Swimming Australia

Ryley Batt, Wheelchair Rugby/Paralympics Australia

Tim Hodge, Swimming Australia

Coach of the Year

Alexander Stewart, Athletics Australia

Brad Dubberley, Wheelchair Rugby/Paralympics Australia

Peter McNiel and Kate Blamey, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia

Tim Walsh, Rugby Australia

Emerging Athlete of the Year

Donnell Wallam, Netball Australia

Maddison Levi, Rugby Australia

Nina Kennedy, Athletics Australia

Valentino Guseli, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia

High Performance Program of the Year

Athletics Australia

Olympic Winter Institute of Australia

The Australian Dolphins, Swimming Australia

Wheelchair Rugby, Paralympics Australia

Award for Leadership

Andrew Faichney, Athletics Australia

Ben Houston, Australian Sailing

Jaime Fernandez, Rowing Australia

Petria Thomas, Commonwealth Games Australia

Team of the Year

Australian Steelers Wheelchair Rugby Team/Paralympics Australia

Australian Women’s Cricket Team, Cricket Australia

Hockeyroos, Hockey Australia

Women's Rugby 7s, Rugby Australia

Community Engagement Award

Caitlin Ward, AusCycling

Carol Cooke, AusCycling

Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Athletics Australia

Rhydian Cowley, Athletics Australia

Win Well Award

Athletics Australia

Golf Australia

Olympic Winter Institute of Australia

Victorian Institute of Sport

Sport Volunteer of the Year Award

Nicole Williams, Cricket  Australia

Amanda Bowman, Golf Australia

Tea-Rose Passon, Surf Life Saving Australia

Theodora Niakolas, Special Olympics Australia