Nominations open for ACU Sport and Performer Awards

Nominations are now open the inaugural ACU Sport and Performer Awards, which will be held in October.

For the first time, ACU will present Blues, the highest honour awarded within tertiary institutions, to national representatives and distinguished performers who have succeeded at the top of their field while maintaining academic studies. Commonwealth Games medallists, cricket world champions, a Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder, State of Origin representatives, a Paralympic flag bearer and a Dally M medallist will be among the high achievers recognised at the awards.

Additionally, the depth and breadth of achievement will be reflected in the other categories which include the Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) Academic Excellence Award, Most Outstanding Performance by an Athlete with a Disability, Indigenous Athlete of the Year and ACU Sport Team of the Year.

Each year retrospective Blues will be presented to distinguished ACU alumni who have represented their country at a past Olympics, Paralympics, Commonwealth Games or World Universiade and outstanding artistic performers.

However, in its first iteration, the event will recognise with a Blue alumni and students who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games.

“The shortlisting sub-committee has a difficult time ahead,” Director of Sport, Wellbeing and Residential Life Paul McJannett said. “Elite Athlete and Performer Program members and alumni have faced some daunting hurdles during the pandemic years and done so fearlessly and diligently.

“ACU is proud to honour those who’ve sacrificed so much and excelled on the world stage. The recipients of an ACU Blue will become part of an esteemed group of alumni who will have another lifelong link to the university, alongside their degree.”

ACU historically punches above its weight, and the bulging list of contenders reflects that determination. Kookaburra Jacob Anderson was among seven gold medallists at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy graduate Emma Tonegato won the NRLW’s Dally M Medal and fellow alumnus Paige Greco enjoyed a breakthrough Tokyo 2020 Paralympics where she won a gold medal, two bronze and set two world records.

The ACU Sport and Performer Awards will be held at Melbourne’s Cathedral Hall on 27 October. Those who participate, administer and volunteer for the many sporting programs on campus will also be acknowledged for their service.

Recipients of an ACU Blue will receive a university medallion and framed testamur.

ACU Sport Club of the Year, ACU Sport Volunteer of the Year and ACU Sport Official of the Year will also be presented at the ceremony.

Shortlisting and selection for the EAPP and ACU Sport categories will be undertaken by a combination of professional and academic staff.

Nominations are now open via the following forms:

Blue Award

EAPP Academic Excellence Award

Most Outstanding Performance by an Athlete or Performer with a Disability Award

ACU Indigenous Athlete or Performer of the Year Award

ACU Sport Club of the Year Award

ACU Sport Team of the Year Award

ACU Sport Volunteer of the Year Award

ACU Sport Official of the Year Award