Tasmania’s 76 top athletes, teams and clubs for 2023
It has been another massive year for sport in Tasmania and we’ve selected the best athletes, teams and clubs of the year, those who have raised the bar for excellence. See our selections here.
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It’s been another massive year for Tasmanian sport in 2023. From the local, national and international stage, our athletes have once again proved Tasmanians can match it with the best of the best.
In no particular order, here are the best athlete and team performances of the year.
Tristan Styles (Gymnastics)
The Hobart teenager made history in November when he became Tasmania’s first ever gymnastics world champion after winning gold in the double-mini event at the World Trampoline Championships in Birmingham.
Jesse Willmott (Cricket)
Willmott’s star continued to shine this year with a number of strong individual recognitions. Played a number of games for Tasmania’s second XI side, was selected in Cricket Australia’s under 19 talent camp and captained the state’s under 19 national championships side in December. Also a member of Cricket Tasmania’s Emerging Tigers program.
Bodie Reading (Motorsport)
Reading spent the year competing in the Australian Rally Championship and, along with co-driver Mark Young, won the 2023 Australian Production Cup in November.
Emily Navabpour (Soccer)
The South Hobart Soccer Club star ended the year on a high when she was named in the Junior Matildas Squad following strong success for Tasmania at the nationals championships.
Arielle Cannell (Athletics)
The 15 year-old from Hobart threw herself into the record books in late October when she set a new hammer throw state record that now has her inside the top three worldwide in her age. She followed this up in December with a double gold at the National All Schools Athletics Championships in Perth.
Faye Read, Olive Hooper, Alex Ashbolt and Luca Groves (Sailing)
The four Sandy Bay Yacht Club members represented Australia in July at the International Cadet World Championships. Competing in Belgium, Read and Hooper finished fourth in the Cadet Worlds Fleet category while Ashbolt and Groves teamed up to finish in 18th place out of 56 entries.
Nash Walker (Basketball)
Walker is one of Tasmania’s most promising young basketballers and was selected to represent Australia at the FIBA Under 17 Asian Cup. He was also selected to attend Basketball Australia’s National Performance Camp in early 2024.
Ilan Mastrocola-Simon (Soccer)
The talented Kingborough NPL player trailed with a number of Major-league Soccer (MLS) clubs in the latter half of 2023 after he was scouted online.
Tom Fader and Indy Cooper (Sailing)
Fader, 15, and Cooper, 16, were selected in Australia’s 13-person team that competed at the 2023 ILCA 4 Youth World Championships in Volos, Greece in July.
Cooper Ford (Supercross)
Hobart’s Cooper Ford secured a huge win at the 2023 Australian Supercross Championships in November when he won the CR22 85 cup in the final round at Marvel Stadium in November.
Jacob Richards (NBL)
The Hobart Chargers young gun was rewarded for his hard work with a Tasmania JackJumpers Developmental Player contract for this season.
Brad Cox-Goodyer (Football – North Launceston)
The North Launceston player-coach guided the Bombers to the TSL grand final, and also had the honour of captaining Tasmania to a win over Queensland at North Hobart Oval in July. He then broke the TSL games record during the finals series.
Lucy Aherne (Basketball)
The Devonport native helped Australia’s U17 team, the Sapphires, win gold at the FIBA Asian Championships at Jordan in July.
Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Cycling)
The emerging star only took up the sport a couple of years ago, but has already stamped herself as an outstanding prospect after winning the junior time trial gold medal at the world championships in Scotland in August. She also won the national title in January, and signed her first professional deal with US outfit Lidl-Trek.
Arianne Titmus (Swimming)
Dubbed the ‘race of the century’ against Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh in the build-up, Launceston’s swimming champion ensured that it didn’t live up to the hype with a dominant world record swim. Her time of 3:55.38 regained the benchmark she lost to Canada young gun McIntosh earlier in the year.
Brooke Barwick (Football – Glenorchy/Tasmania Devils)
Despite missing all of Tasmania’s Coates Talent League season with an ACL injury, the midfielder was drafted by Western Bulldogs with pick four in the AFLW Draft. She eclipsed Ellie Gavalas (pick ten, 2019) as Tasmania’s highest AFLW Draft pick.
Georgia Clark (Football – Glenorchy/Tasmania Devils)
The undersized key forward is Collingwood bound after they swooped with pick eight in the AFLW Draft. The 18-year-old is strong overhead and has shown in the Devils program she can float downfield and find plenty of her own ball.
Colby McKercher (Football – Launceston/Tasmania Devils)
The classy midfielder became the highest draft pick from the Tasmania junior system when he was taken at pick two by North Melbourne. Was also second in national championships best and fairest voting, and was joint winner of the Coates Talent League player of the year despite missing the last couple of matches through injury.
Aidan O’Connor (Cricket – Greater Northern Raiders/Riverside)
O’Connor was included in Australia’s under-19 world cup squad after he was named the player of the under-19 national championships. The all-rounder made 261 runs at 52.2, including 117 off 70 balls against ACT, and took seven wickets. Also a member of Cricket Tasmania’s Emerging Tigers program.
Ryley Sanders – (Football – Launceston/Sandringham Dragons)
Sanders claimed the Larke Medal as the player of the national championships after helping guide Allies to a maiden title. He was subsequently taken at pick six by the Western Bulldogs in the national draft.
James Leake – (Football – Launceston/Tasmania Devils)
Leake continued a momentous draft night for Tasmania – and Launceston in particular, when he was snapped up at pick 16 by GWS. A late starter to football, Leake’s ability to play in all three thirds of the field saw him rocket up the draft board.
Sam Banks (AFL – Richmond)
The highly-skilled halfback made his AFL debut against Sydney in round 17. The 20-year-old played in six matches and averaged nearly 14 disposals. Blessed with a damaging long kick and a strong endurance base.
Mia King (AFLW – North Melbourne)
The tough inside midfielder has established herself as one of the key cogs in the Kangaroos’ AFLW machine. She was one of the Roos’ best in their grand final loss to Brisbane, racking up 19 touches (16 contested) and nine tackles. Her consistent form was rewarded with a three year deal which will keep her at North Melbourne until at least 2026.
Lachie Cowan (AFL – Carlton)
The halfback and lifelong Blues fan made his AFL debut for Carlton in round one against Richmond, and played a total of seven games this year. He got his chance after Carlton took him with pick 30 in last year’s draft after he was named the NAB League player of the year.
Jack Latham (Triathlon)
A switch from surf lifesaving to triathlon paid off for the Ulverstone youngster after he claimed bronze at the Commonwealth Youth Games at Trinidad and Tobago in August.
The Cradle Coast Triathlon and Multisport Club member surged home in his pet run leg to grab a spot on the podium.
Sam McKee (Cycling)
The Launceston cyclist finished fourth in the road race at the Commonwealth Youth Games, despite being hampered by a mechanical issue. He also represented his country at the UCI Junior Track World Championships, and won gold and silver medals in the under-19 scratch race and individual pursuit respectively at the national championships. Finally, he teamed up with Will Eaves to grab silver in the madison.
Hamish McKenzie (Cycling)
After winning a silver medal at world junior level in 2022, the Launceston cyclist backed up with bronze in the under-23 time trial in the world championships at Scotland. Soon after he signed a deal to ride for Team Jayco AlUla.
Jacob Gardner (Athletics)
The runner announced himself as one to watch by grabbing two gold medals at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships at Perth in December. The University of Tasmania Athletics Club member won the under-18 2000m steeplechase and the 3000m. He also beat Dean Rose’s 23-year-old 2000m steeplechase state record at October’s Tasmanian All Schools Championships.
Jack Woodberry (Athletics)
Woodberry smashed his personal best by nine seconds to win gold in the 3000m at the junior national championships at Brisbane in April. He overtook Victoria’s gold medal favourite Bart Leeton in the dying seconds. In doing so, he injured his calf and was unable to compete in the 1500m.
Sam Fox (Mountain Biking)
Fox dominated his rivals to win the AusCycling Mountain Bike National Championships at Thredbo in January. The 23-year-old took out all three disciplines – the team relay, short course and Olympic distance events – and went on to compete in the world championships in Scotland.
Sam Siggins (Football – Lauderdale)
Lauderdale big man Siggins cemented himself as the TSL’s leading player by winning a third Alastair Lynch Medal as the league’s best and fairest. The ultimate utility is just the second player to achieve that feat, and he backed up that accomplishment with a man of the match display in Tasmania’s representative win over Queensland.
Max Giuliani (Swimming)
Giuliani grabbed the biggest win of his career to date in the 200m freestyle at a World Cup meeting at Hungary in October. Earlier in the year he won the USA pro-championship 100m and 200m freestyle double, and beat multi-Olympic medallist Kyle Chalmers over 100m at the South Australian State Championships.
Arie Schoenmaker (Football – Launceston/Tasmania Devils)
The long kicking defender bounced back from an early season suspension from the Devils for an off-field indiscretion at a pre-season camp by being drafted into the AFL. Schoenmaker was forced to wait nervously until the end of the second day of the draft, before St Kilda finally picked him up at no. 62. His strong form for Allies after returning from his ban was enough to regain the trust of the Saints.
Simon Hawkes (Golf)
The 34-year-old secured the second tour win of his career at the WA Open in October.
It was a long wait after his maiden victory at the 2018 Victorian Open, but the win gives Hawks entry into every PGA Tour of Australia tournament for the next three years – including the Australian Open, Australian PGA and NZ Open.
Taylor Mole (Basketball)
The Hobart product’s strong NBL1 form for Cairns resulted in her earning her first pro contract with WNBL club Adelaide Lightning. The athletic big has earned a regular place in the Lightning rotation with her shooting and ability to play a number of different positions.
Taran Armstrong (Basketball)
After a strong college career with California Baptist University, the Burnie product spurned interest from the JackJumpers to sign a two year deal with NBL rivals Cairns. A strong defender, the guard has made a strong impact off the bench thus far and averages 7.2 points, 2.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Georgia Baker (Cycling)
Tasmanian cycling’s golden girl added to her impressive stash of world championship medals by grabbing silver in the elite women’s madison and points races at August’s world championships in Scotland.
Brody Mihocek (AFL – Collingwood)
Mihocek booted a career-high 47 goals to help lead the Magpies to the AFL premiership, their first since 2010 and just the second since 1990. In a side not flush with key forwards, the undersized Mihocek was vital in the Pies kicking enough goals to go all the way.
Jeremy Howe (AFL – Collingwood)
Howe delivered one of the most inspirational stories in the AFL this year after recovering from a sickening broken arm in round one to be part of the Magpies’ charge to the flag.
His experience down back was crucial as Collingwood held off Brisbane in one of the best grand finals in years.
Stewart McSweyn (Athletics)
McSweyn was part of the Australia side which claimed bronze in the mixed relay at February’s world cross country championships in Bathurst. He made the final of the 5000m at the world athletics championships after it was deemed he was disadvantaged by a rival in a fall during the heats.
Beau Webster (Cricket)
The all-rounder is pushing hard for higher honours after a stellar season across all formats for Tasmania. He was selected for Australia A’s four-day clash with Pakistan at Canberra after a stellar Shield season featuring knocks of 103 and 97 not out, as well as a number of important wickets.
Maddison Brooks (Hockey)
Brooks made her international debut for the Hockeyroos against Argentina in February’s FIH Pro-League tournament at Hobart in February. She was also recently included in the Hockeyroos’ squad for next year, giving her the opportunity to press for an Olympic debut at Paris.
Eddie Ockenden (Hockey)
The evergreen Ockenden is the only play to represent Australia more than 400 times. He played in his fourth World Cup at India in January, where the world no. 1 ranked Kookaburras finished just outside the medals in fourth place
Josh Beltz (Hockey)
The defender secured his 100th cap for the Kookaburras at the Oceania Cup, where Australia clinched their spot at the Olympics.
Jack Welch (Hockey)
The 22-year-old continues to further entrench himself in the Kookbaurras line-up, and looks set for an Olympic debut at Paris next year.
Tasmania under-18 boys hockey team (Hockey)
In front of a huge home crowd at Hobart, Tasmania secured its first-ever U18 boys gold medal with a 5-2 win over Queensland in the final. The victory was set up by a hat-trick from skipper Max Johnstone, and they were the first Tasmania side to go through a nationals campaign unbeaten.
Jake Birtwhistle (Triathlon)
Not long after declaring his intent to switch from triathlon to longer distance racing after his quest to qualify for Paris, Birtwhistle won the maiden Ironman 70.3 event at Hobart in January. He backed it up by winning the Oceania Triathlon Cup and Sprint Championship at Devonport in March.
South Hobart Football Club (Soccer – WSL)
South Hobart’s women’s side emerged as the next dominant force after winning the State Cup final over recent heavyweights Launceston United. They also easily won the Women’s Super League championship, but were sensationally knocked out of the premiership race after losing their semi final to Clarence via a penalty shootout.
Devonport Strikers Football Club (Soccer – NPL)
The long-time competition benchmark again stamped their authority by comfortably defending their championship and State Cup titles, but fell just short of a treble after falling 2-0 to South Hobart in the NPL grand final.
Caleb Jewell (Cricket)
The aggressive opener has put himself in the frame for an Australia call-up in the near future with some matchwinning displays already this summer. He made 131 and 78 for Australia A in a series against New Zealand A in September. While his Shield form has been lacklustre, he has been dominant in white ball cricket for Tasmania and the Hurricanes.
Daria Bannister (AFLW – Essendon)
Bannister’s awful luck with injuries continued after she ruptured her ACL against Richmond in October. It’s the second time the forward has sustained the injuries in the past five years, and she also broke her collarbone and tore her meniscus earlier in her career.
Maddy Murphy (Hockey)
Represented Australia at the Indoor Hockey World Cup in South Africa for the second time in her career.
Ash Mawer (Netball)
The Northern Hawks sharpshooter entrenched herself as arguably the greatest player in TNL history after claiming her fifth Most Valuable Player award. She captained the Hawks to back-to-back premierships, and a fourth title in the past six years, after they beat Launceston rivals the Cavaliers 71-57 in the grand final.
Kingborough Tigers Football Club (Football – TSL)
The Tigers secured their first-ever state league premiership with a stirring 15-point grand final win over North Launceston. Kingborough broke their duck, and the recent stranglehold of Launceston sides on the title, with the 8.8 (56) to 5.11 (41) victory. Kieran Lovell won the Baldock Medal as player of the match after booting three goals.
Jacob Despard (Athletics)
The sprinter broke the state 200m record which had stood for 26 years not once, but twice.
He shattered the clock with a 20.59 second run at the ACT Championships, just a week after originally setting the Tasmanian record at 20.78 seconds. Despard won the bronze medal in the 100m at the Australian Athletics Championships (10.26).
Tasmanian Tigers (Cricket – WNCL)
The Tigers confirmed themselves the heavyweight of 50-over domestic women’s cricket in the most dramatic fashion against South Australia in the decider. In a rematch of the previous summer’s final, South Australia required just four runs off the final over from Sarah Coyte to deny the Tigers a third straight title. But four wickets in the over, three for Coyte and a run out, secured Tasmania a remarkable one-run DLS win.
Tasmania JackJumpers (Basketball – NBL)
After they made the NBL finals series in their maiden season, the JackJumpers showed it was no fluke by advancing to the final four of last year’s campaign. They were ultimately beaten 2-1 by New Zealand in the semi finals, but the league’s newest franchise have wasted little time establishing themselves as a force and are right in the hunt again this season (9-7 record).
Amy Smith (Cricket)
The two-time WNCL premiership player showed her class for Tasmania at the Australian under-19 championships. In what was a tough tournament for Tassie, Smith blasted an unbeaten 135 off as many balls opening the batting in a tight loss to Victoria Metro.
Josh Duffy (Cycling)
The 2022 Commonwealth Games representative won the team pursuit and scratch race gold medals at the Oceania Cycling Championships in Brisbane.
He was also third in the 1km and madison races at the national championships in Melbourne.
Nicole Bresnehan (AFLW – North Melbourne)
An ankle injury limited her game time in 2023, but the defender still made an impact in the eight games she played, helping the Kangaroos to their first AFLW grand final appearance.
Bresnehan suffered the first major injury of her career thus far against the Brisbane Lions in Launceston.
Jack Hale (Athletics)
The star sprinter finished sixth in the final of the 100m at the Australian Athletics Championships in Brisbane (10.38). He is targeting Paris as his final chance to qualify for an Olympics.
Tasmania Devils (Football – NAB League)
The boys and girls teams both had strong campaign which translated to great success on draft night. The boys advanced to a second straight preliminary final, while the girls placed seventh.
Four players – Colby McKercher, Ryley Sanders, Arie Schoenmaker and James League – were picked up in the AFL Draft. Georgia Clark, Brooke Barwick and Mackenzie Ford would later be snapped up in the AFLW Draft.
Jazmin White (Soccer)
The sharpshooter claimed the Women’s Super League’s best and fairest and golden boot awards for the second straight year.
Her goal scoring feats helped the Strikers win the premiership after a 2-0 grand final victory over Clarence.
Nick Morton (Soccer)
The NPL and South Hobart veteran was rewarded for a stellar 2023 season, winning the competition best and fairest award. He also played his 200th game in 2023.
Roberto Fernandez-Garrido (Soccer)
Another Strikers goal machine who has proven almost unstoppable the past couple of seasons. Won the NPL golden boot and players’ player awards this year after helping Devonport to another championship title and Lakoseljac Cup.
Matt Bevilacqua (Surf Lifesaving)
The 30-year-old from Lauderdale became the first Tasmanian to win two Nutri-Grain Ironman series crowns in February. The Clifton Beach Surf Club product did enough in the final round to salute, and join some of the sports’ greats as multiple winners of the iconic series.
“I’ve been in the series for 10 years now and lots of highs and lows, with so much hard work,” Bevilacqua said after sealing the crown.
Chelsea Scolyer (Athletics)
After an injury-plagued couple of years, the northwest Athletics Club member showed her undoubted potential with a strong 2023. She erased a 25-year-old time from the record books by winning the 100m at the Sports Association of Tasmanian independent Schools (SATIS) Athletics carnival in April. A month earlier the then 16-year-old beat older rivals to wins the Tasmanian Track and Field Championships 100 title. Just before Christmas she set a new meet record and World Junior Championships qualifying time of 10.97 seconds at the Athletics South Reunion Day carnival.
Sasha Moloney (Cricket)
After playing her 200th CTPL game last season and being named in the league’s Team of the Decade, the spinner was again a mainstay of the Melbourne Stars’ WBBL line-up.
Kieran Lovell (Football)
The star Tigers midfielder led the way in their maiden TSL grand final win over North Launceston. He kicked three goals and all at vital times, particularly his first two majors early in the second term after the Bombers built a 12-point quarter time lead.
Chris Goulding (Basketball)
At time of writing the Melbourne United sharpshooter was averaging 18.6 points per game, the ninth best in the NBL. He was also leading the most three-pointers per game with an average of 4.5, and is a major reason why United are well clear atop the table and favourites for the title.
Toby Nankervis (AFL – Richmond)
After sharing the role the past two seasons, Nankervis will be sole captain when Richmond plays its first game next year. The experienced ruck will be charged with leading a new-look Tigers following a number of key retirements, including Trent Cotchin and Tasmania favourite son Jack Riewoldt.
Matthew Wade (Cricket)
The veteran Tigers keeper-batter has just about done it all in the game. But he ticked another achievement off his to-do list when he captained Australia for the first time in a T20 series in India after the Aussie’s triumph in the one day World Cup.
Nathaniel Atkinson (Soccer)
The Socceroos’ World Cup representative suffered a serious ankle injury playing for Scottish Premier League side Hearts in September, but has recovered in time to be selected for Australia’s Asia Cup campaign, which begins at Qatar in January.
Tasmania’s National Inclusion Carnival team (Football)
The state’s national inclusion team made history in October when they won the divison 1 premiership at the AFL National Inclusion Carnival. They beat South Australia - 5.4 (34) to 4.6 (30) in a thrilling comeback win.
Josh Arnold (Football)
The Glenorchy coach broke the Tasmanian State League games’ record in August (before he was overrun by Brad Cox-Goodyer). The TSL veteran also led the Magpies back from the brink of recession after a horror pre-season.
Tasmania’s wheelchair football team (Football)
Team Tasmania put another football achievement on the board for the state this year when they won the AFL National Wheelchair premiership in November. Taking on NSW/ACT in the division two grand final, the Devils were too polished for the Rams, clinching the title with a convincing 13.4 (82) to 7.7 (49).
Did we miss anyone? Have your say in the comments.
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