A junior world champion, Commonwealth Games gold medallist and drought-breaking premiership side are among the finalists announced for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards to announced next month.
The awards returned in 2023 after a 20 year absence, having been first held four decades ago.
Tennis and boxing trailblazers Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Lionel Rose, both collecting the highest honours in their global sports across their careers, were early winners of Sportsperson of the year.
In the years since, Dally M Medallists, World Cup-winning cricketers, Norm Smith Medallists, broadcasters, Olympic champions, title-winning boxers and parathletes have taken home honours.
In 2026, there's recognition for a breadth of achievement in 13 categories from the grassroots to feats seen all over the world.
After taking home relay Gold at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland sprinter Calab Law joins this year's NAIDOC sportsperson of the year and soccer star Caitlyn Costello and unbeaten pro boxer Callum Peters for this year's top honour.
Para athlete Layla Sharp and Briseis Brittain, and Finke Desert Race motorcyclist Terrance Conway are finalists for National Sportsperson with a Disability of the Year.
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Youngest-ever and first Indigenous ISA (International Surfing Association) junior world champion Leihani Zoric is up for Junior Sportsperson of the Year, with senior Elders, volunteers, coaches and officials and organisations represented across awards.
Naarm-based football and netball club Fitzroy Stars are no stranger to the podium at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards.
Their senior women's team, who became the club's first women's premiership side this Northern Football Netball League season are a finalist in Team of the Year, alongside Mob the Marathon and Clifton Hill Jiujitsu gym.
National icon Cathy Freeman is a special guest at the Awards hosted at the SCG on November 7.
Former rugby league players turned broadcasters Dean Widders and Bo de la Cruz host the evening.
