On October 27 2022, the university hosted the inaugural ACU Sport and Performer Awards. The event symbolised a unique celebration of ACU spirit, acknowledging the incredible achievements of our elite student and alumni athletes, performers and sporting community.
The evening, held in Melbourne Campus’s magnificent Cathedral Hall, welcomed a host of nationally and internationally awarded Australian sporting and performing heroes, Olympians, Paralympians, world champions, AFL and NRLW stars. The university honoured not just our sporting club, volunteer, official and team of the year, including two-time Indigenous UniSport Nationals champions, but 21 of ACU’s first ever Blues Award recipients.
After the awards presentation, a panel featuring Ellie Cole, Ashley Waterman and Jarryn Geary shared some moving, insightful and humbling stories and opinions around leadership, resilience and the value of the Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP).
The evening showcased some of the EAPP’s talented performers including the hilarious musings of voice actor and MC of the night, Barnaby Pollok, a heart-lifting melody by four-time ARIA nominated singer-songwriter Jasmine Rae, and a finale performance by our very own punk princess Azure, or Ashley Waterman.
This award recognises outstanding sporting achievement combined with academic excellence. Award recipients will have displayed high-level sporting/performing achievements while maintaining a significant study load and high academic results.
This award recognises an exceptional performance by an elite student-athlete with disability (AWD) at a world championships event or other significant international or national para event. Performance is not related to a university sport event.
This award recognises an exceptional performance by an Indigenous elite student athlete or performer at an Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, world championships or other significant national or international event.
The Sport Club of the Year must demonstrate success in an external competition, have high levels of student membership, have maintained a positive club culture, and boast a strong presence and level of involvement in life on campus.
The ACU Sport Team of the Year recognises the sporting achievement/s of a university sport team at an event or competition.
This award recognises the achievement/s of a sport official who has made a significant contribution to the success of a sport person, team, competition or program associated with ACU Sport.
This award recognises a volunteer for their outstanding contribution, commitment and dedication to building the capacity of sport and/or a specific sport club or program.
A Blue is awarded in recognition of a student athlete/performer or alumni who has represented Australia or performed at an international or benchmark event while maintaining their academic studies.
