Back To News
Superstar Paralympians Kurt Fearnley and Ben Tudhope claimed major honours at the NSW Institute of Sport Awards in Sydney on Thursday night.
After a busy year of international competition, featuring the Beijing Paralympic and Olympic Winter Games and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Tudhope emerged as the state’s Male Athlete of the Year, while Fearnley received the prestigious NSWIS ‘Most Outstanding’ award for his exceptional commitment and personal contribution to sport.
Fearnley becomes the third Paralympian to win the rare award after Louise Sauvage OAM and Michael Milton OAM. Other previous winners include Ian Thorpe AM, Alyson Annan OAM, Bradley McGee OAM, Liz Ellis AM and Matthew Mitcham OAM.
“NSWIS has supported some incredible athletes over the years, so to join the list to be named Most Outstanding is an honour,” Fearnley said.
“Para-athletes make up nearly half the list of those to receive this award, which is testament to the support NSWIS offers Para-sport and the calibre of the programs they run.
“That’s highlighted by Ben Tudhope receiving the Male Athlete of the Year among an open field of Para and non-Para athletes.”
Fearnley won 13 Paralympic medals, four World Championships and two Commonwealth Games gold medals between 2000 and 2018 and remains a motivated proponent for participation in sport and advocate for the rights of people with a disability. Last month he was appointed Chairman of the Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency.
“Competing in wheelchair athletics feels like it was a lifetime ago,” he added. “So this is a nice reminder that once upon a time I did OK.”
Tudhope’s honour capped an extraordinary year for the 22-year-old Para-snowboard star. He secured the prestigious Crystal Globe as the world’s best men’s Para-snowboarder across all disciplines in February and claimed a bronze medal at Beijing 2022, where he was co-captain of the Australian Paralympic Team with Para-alpine skier Melissa Perrine and was Australian flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony.
Later in 2022 Tudhope was named Snow Australia Paralympic Athlete of the Year, Paralympics Australia Male Athlete of the Year and Paralympics Australia Athlete of the Year.
NSW Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the NSWIS Awards shone a light on the dedication and achievements of athletes, coaches, staff and support programs at the end of a busy year.
“There’s been no shortage of memorable sporting moments,” Mr Henskens said. “I am inspired by the determination, hard work and commitment of our athletes, who are breaking records and blazing a brighter future for the next generation.”
NSWIS CEO Professor Kevin Thompson said 26 athletes and six coaches were selected as finalists for the Awards, demonstrating NSWs’ depth of sporting talent.
“It has been another huge year of NSWIS athletes shining on both the domestic and international stage and it is great that we can gather together and celebrate everyone’s achievements,” Professor Thompson said.
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 28 October 2022
