Hockeyroo Jeremy Hayward wins the NT Sportsperson of the Year for the second time

Hockey has dominated the annual NT Sports Awards with a dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist crowned the Sportsperson of the Year for the second time. See the gallery.

Dual Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning hockey player Jeremy Hayward has been crowned the NT Sportsperson of the Year for the second time.

Hayward, 30, took home the coveted gong at the 50th annual 50th NT Sports Awards on April 1, after winning gold with the Kookaburras at the games in Birmingham last year.

He also won the award in 2015.

In fact, hockey dominated the evening with Territorian players Amy Stripling and Hayward’s partner Brooke Peris also taking home the Junior Sportsperson and Steve Abala Role Model awards respectively.

The latter prize honours the Darwin Buffaloes footballer and captain who died on the field after a tackle which went wrong.

Jeremy Hayward celebrates a goal against Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Picture: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images.

Meanwhile, the Darwin Salties were crowned the NT Team of the Year after making the finals in their debut season in NBL1 North.

Six giants of Territory sport – who have made a significant and lasting impression on and off the field – were also recognised as a Pioneer of Sport: Ted Egan, Willie Allen, Nick Boubaris, Rueben Cooper Senior, Audrey Kennon and John Moriarty.

Egan, 90, said sport had played a massive part in his life, from playing on the gravel football ground of Darwin Oval in the 1950s to his role as the Administrator of the NT in the 2000s, establishing the Steve Abala Role Model award.

Australian hockey player Brooke Peris after the quarterfinal loss to India at the 2020 Olympics. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Egan, who arrived in Darwin as a 16-year-old in 1949, was also a founding member of the Nightcliff Football Club.

“I think a lot of people thought I died years ago,” Egan said with a laugh.

“It is an honour to be recognised for my more than 70 years of participation in sport.

“I also think it is a reminder that for many Territorians sport plays a huge and positive part in us living rich and happy lives.”

He said “life was about sport, work was the bit you had to do in between”.

Ted Egan was an instrumental figure in the birth of two NTFL clubs. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

In 1952, at the request of the Bishop of Darwin, he also helped form St Mary’s FC as a team that a large contingent of Tiwi Island workers could play for.

On the Council of Aboriginal Affairs, Egan promoted sport within Indigenous communities.

Sports Minister Kate Worden said 2022 showed yet again that the Territory was a “breeding ground” for talented sports people to sharpen their skills and perform on the biggest stages.

Waratah batter Ash Chandrasinghe was recognised for making five consecutive hundreds in Darwin cricket. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

“NT athletes are marking their mark amongst the elite,” Minister Worden said.

“While sport offers the chance to reach the top, it plays significant part in bringing our communities together.

“Every weekend suburban sporting grounds across the NT are filled with participants playing the games they love.”

Darwin Salties won the Team of the Year award. Picture: Ben Thompson/Darwin Salties.

Full list of winners:

Sportsperson of the Year – Jeremy Hayward (hockey)

Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Amy Stripling (hockey)

Masters Sportsperson of the Year – John Bermingham (athletics)

Team of the Year – Darwin Salties (basketball)

Eric Johnston Coach of the Year – Michael Rochford (boxing)

Official of the Year – Amy Butler (basketball)

Volunteer of the Year – Danila Lochrin (equestrian/rugby league)

Local Performer of the Year – Ash Chandrasinghe (cricket)

Karen Schneider Sports Medicine Australia Safer Sport Award – Sarah Polhill (rugby union)

Steve Abala Role Model – Brooke Peris (hockey)

Roll of Honour – Nick Bourbaris (football), Jim Ford (cricket), David Yeaman (netball)

Hall of Champions – Jan Palazzi (lawn bowls)

Emma and Karen Stark Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Nerys Evans, Ted Egan, Ruth Eirwen Jones and Hugh Heggie.

Ted Egan and Ruth Eirwen Jones.

Tom Menzies and Riley La Pira.

Pam Dillon and Fiona Campbell.

Nicole Sinclair.

Kate Worden and Carleen Mitchell.

Karina Butler and Kris Denby.

Shelley and Jacob Bonson, Matt Mills and Jan Palazzi.

Tony Crowe.

Susie and John Bermingham.

Kate, Hugo, Sebastian and Simon Mathias with Ashley Chandrasinghe.

James Green, Mackenzie and Ray Dixon and Cindy Hope.

Bruce Kennon.

Ryan Thornley, Sophie Blake and Meg Clohesy.

Mardi Jenner, Murray Schneider and Mikaila Van der Velde.

Sarah Polhill and Dori Sherry.

Lukcy Berk, Dan Hewitt,, Tom Muecke and Lauren Plucker.

Beth, Amy and Matthew Stripling.

Juanita Gay, Erin Broadway and Mitch Musgrove.

Eva Lawler, Tony Sievers and Kirby Lawlee.

Khia de Silva and Jonathon Peris.

Mitch and John Hardy and Patrick Stevenson.

Lyndan Ross and Sean Goff.

Sue and Kerry Berry.

Gary and Caroline Pendlebury.

Sarah and Pat Coburn.

Pennie Rochford, Kenny Harkin and Jeanine Brown.

Rob and Luke Purtill.

Maise and Chris Austin.

Chrissie Sanders, Ted Egan and Nerys Evans.