NSW Sports Awards: Mark Ella a legend, Jess Fox, Cate Campbell, Madi de Rozario finalists

NSW Sports Award finalists have been unveiled along with motorsport, surfing, football, beach volleyball and kayaking legends who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. FULL LIST

Rugby union star Mark Ella will be elevated to legend status while Mark Webber, Mick Fanning, Naomi Flood, Kerri Pottharst and Harry Williams will all be inducted into the NSW Hall of Fame at a gala ceremony in the new year.

And at the same NSW Sports Awards function the likes of Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists Jessica Fox, Cate Campbell, Spencer Turrin and Madi de Rozario will go head-to-head with other athletes for the top gong.

The lists of finalists for the NSW Sports awards was revealed on Thursday and it boasts the biggest names in Australian sport and multiple stars from the Tokyo Olympics.

Madison de Rozario after winning the gold medal in the marathon T54 in Tokyo.

The battle for the athlete of the year will be one of the most ferociously fought between Olympic gold medallists Fox, from Penrith, Campbell, from Pymble, Spencer Turrin from Dungog and two-time Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist De Rozario from Rhodes.

Also making the finalist list is Central Coast jumper Nicola McDermott and Culburra born Owen Wright, who now resides at Byron Bay.

Randwick legend Ella will join the likes of Sir Jack Brabham, Don Bradman, Dawn Fraser, Louise Sauvage and Ian Thorpe as a legend.

Wollongong’s Gardner, Penrith’s Fanning, Manly’s Pottharst and Flood and the Sutherland Shires Williams will be honoured with their induction.

Mark Ella with the Wallabies back in the 1980s.

NSW ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Joining Fox, Campbell and De Rozario as finalists for the for the NSW Athlete of the Year award along with men’s coxless four gold medallist Spencer Turrin, high jump silver medallist Nicola McDermott and surfing bronze medallist Owen Wright.

Gold medallists Alexander Purnell, Spencer Turrin, Jack Hargreaves and Alexander Hill after the men’s four final.

NSW ATHLETE OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY FINALISTS

This category features past winners Lauren Parker (Para-Triathlon, 2018 & 2019) from Newcastle, Penrith’s Erik Horrie (rowing, 2013), Northbridge’s Matthew Levy (swimming, 2014) and Menai’s Amanda Reid (para-Cycling, 2017). Also nominated this year is Tokyo Boccia bronze medallist, Daniel Michel from Cronulla and Tokyo Goalball team member, Tyan Taylor from Berowra.

Matt Levy, right, is a veteran of the Paralympics.

NSW YOUNG ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Olympic diver Sam Fricker (Greenhills Beach) and Ryde swimmer Se-Bom Leeare finalists along with Erskine Park's’s Hannah Darlington (cricket), Freshwater’s Stefanie Fejes (volleyball), Dalmeny’s Valentino Guseli (snowboard half-pipe) and Goulburn’s Costa Toparis (karting).

NSW YOUNG ATHLETE OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY FINALISTS

Paralympians Timothy Hodge (swimming) from Kings Langley and West Pymble’s Amy Reid (goalball) are joined by Revesby’s Rhiannon Bellette (Little Athletics), Helensburgh’s Eddie Clare (surf life saving) and Manly’s Ben Tudhope (snowboard cross).

NSW Swifts players Helen Housby, Sophie Garbin, Nat Haythornthwaite and Sam Wallace celebrate after their victory during the 2021 Super Netball decider.

NSW TEAM OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Basketball NSW, NSW Blues rugby league, GWS Giants AFL, NSW Swifts, Sydney FC women, Sydney Sixers men.

NSW TEAM OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY FINALISTS

GladiatorsWheelchair Sports, Judo NSW, North Cronulla Sea Turtles, Sydney Scorpions All Abilities Tier 1 touch football.

Brad Fitler is a finalist for coaching the NSW Blues to their 2021 State of Origin Series.

NSW COACH OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Tokyo Olympic coaches Simon Cusack (swimming) from Pymble and Matt Horsnell (athletics) from Lisarow have made the cut with Castle Hill's Briony Akle (netball), Illawarra’s Tom Dawson (cycling), Terrey Hills’ Brad Fittler (rugby league) and Mascot’s Ante Juric (football).

NSW MASTERS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Ashfield rower Daniela Borgert, Baulkham Hills swimmer Aaron Cleland, Oatland’s touch footballer Tony Eltakchi, Narooma surfer Matt Hoar, Leichhardt’s archer Elizabeth Hole and Bondi surf life saver Scott Thomson are finalists in this category.

The NSW Sports Awards boast an extraordinary field of finalists.

NSW SPORT OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

Finalists are Kyira Cox (softball), Beecroft’s Janet Nixon (athletics), Northmead’s Lubo Petr (judo), Toongabbie’s Amy Perrett (rugby union), Cranebrook’s Gregory Smith (rowing) and Pagewood’s Helen Maree Rosenberg (Wheelchair Basketball).

NSW SPORT EVENT OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

GIO Oz Day 10km, Hockey NSW regional challenge, NSW Festival water polo, Netball NSW National Reconciliation Week, Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic, 2021 Your Local Club Academy Games.

NSW SPORT ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

Basketball NSW, Football NSW, Netball NSW, NSW Rugby League, NSW Touch Football, Tennis NSW.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as NSW Sports Awards: Mark Ella a legend, Jess Fox, Cate Campbell, Madi de Rozario finalists