Australian Athletics has today announced the full suite of winners for the 2025 Australian Athletics Awards, continuing the celebration of a season defined by historic performances, global success and depth across the sport.
Following Nicola Olyslagers’ (NSW) acceptance of the Bruce McAvaney Award for Performance of the Year for her 2.04m clearance to win the Diamond League high jump final, she is also named the Marjorie Jackson Female Able Bodied Athlete of the Year, capping a golden year on the world stage that also included gold at both the World Athletics Indoor Championships in March and World Athletics Championships in September.
In the female Para-athlete category, Vanessa Low (ACT) is named Amy Winters Female Para Athlete of the Year, with another season of dominance that saw her break the world record in the Long Jump T61 at the Australian Athletics Championships and go on to win gold at the World Para Athletics Championships in October.
The John Landy Male Able Bodied Athlete of the Year award is presented to pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall (WA) recognising a year marked by a World Athletics Championships bronze and repeated podium finishes against the world’s best pole vaulters on the Diamond League circuit.
Following his 400m T36 victory in New Delhi – his eighth world title, James Turner (ACT) once more claimed the Russell Short Male Para Athlete of the Year following a season that further cemented his reputation as one of Australia’s greatest Para-athletes.
Australia’s next generation of talent is also celebrated, with 19-year-old Delta Amidzovski (NSW) named Female Junior Athlete of the Year, after breaking through to the top of the senior level by qualifying for the World Athletics Championships, while teen sensation Gout Gout (QLD) is awarded Male Junior Athlete of the Year following a number of performances that captured national attention including his 20.02-second performance in Ostrava that lowered his own Australian open age record.
Excellence beyond competition was recognised through the coaching and officiating awards, highlighting the people who drive success across the sport.
Matt Horsnell (NSW) is named Coach of the Year for his work with Olyslagers, Diane Sheppard (QLD)receives the Pathways Coach of the Year for her work with Gout and a number of other junior athletes, while Janet Nixon (NSW), one of the world’s leading photo finish judges is honoured as Official of the Year for her outstanding service and commitment to her role both domestically and abroad.
Australian Athletics President Jane Flemming OAM OLY said the awards reflect both achievement and contribution across the Australian athletics community.
“From world-leading performances to the people developing talent and supporting competition at every level, these awards recognise excellence in many forms,” Flemming said.
“They celebrate not just what was achieved this season but the systems, people and belief that continue to shape Australian athletics.”
Eligibility for the 2025 Australian Athletics Awards was assessed on performances delivered between 1 January 2025 and 30 November 2025, with performances from December assessed as part of the following awards cycle.
2025 Australian Athletics Awards recipients:
Bruce McAvaney Performance of the Year
Nicola Olyslagers (NSW)
Marjorie Jackson Female Athlete of the Year
Nicola Olyslagers (NSW)
John Landy Male Athlete of the Year
Kurtis Marschall (WA)
Amy Winters Female Para Athlete of the Year
Vanessa Low (ACT)
Russell Short Male Para Athlete of the Year
James Turner (ACT)
Female Junior Athlete of the Year
Delta Amidzovski (NSW)
Male Junior Athlete of the Year
Gout Gout (QLD)
Coach of the Year
Matt Horsnell (NSW)
Pathways Coach of the Year
Diane Sheppard (QLD)
Official of the Year
Janet Nixon (NSW)
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 22/12/2025
