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ACU honours stars of sport and stage

A remarkable cohort of achievers were celebrated across the three awards ceremonies, with University Blues and a range of other awards presented for 2026.

Key points:

• The annual ACU Sport and Performer Awards were celebrated across three ceremony locations, with University Blues and a range of other awards presented.
• Students were recognised for competing at the top of their game both nationally and internationally.

Australian Catholic University students were part of some of the biggest sporting events in the world in 2026, selected to compete at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

These stars, along with athletes from a range of sporting codes and talented performers, were recognised in both their academic and co-curricular endeavours at the 2026 Australian Catholic University Sport and Performer Awards.

In recognition of his achievements, Winter Olympian Reilly Flanagan was named the 2026 Australian Catholic University Athlete or Performer of the Year.

The Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science student made his Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, achieving a historic milestone becoming only the third Australian male aerial skier to compete at a Winter Olympics.

Amongst the ACU Blue recipients were two Bachelor of Education (Primary) students and 2026 Commonwealth Games stars.

Jessica Cole competed in the 200m butterfly and won gold in the 4 × 100m freestyle relay for Australia.

While Emily Whitehead competed in her third Commonwealth Games, this time helping Australia secure gold in the Women's Artistic Gymnastics Team Final.

Laura Gardiner (Bachelor of nursing) and University Blue recipient is another outstanding example of excellence in both elite sport and higher education, successfully balancing university study with the rigours of a professional AFLW career.

As the goalkeeper for the Brisbane Blaze Hockey One team, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy student Jordan Bliss (pictured left) competes at the highest level of domestic hockey in Australia, showcasing her elite skills and dedication.

The Indigenous Athlete/Performer of the Year praised the EAPP program helping her adjust when it came to moving away from home and juggling study with elite sport.

Jordan didn’t always think both would be achievable but had the encouragement of loved ones, “I remember saying to my family, 'In another lifetime, I'll be an OT.' And they said, 'Well, what about this lifetime,” she said.

“I think now that I have had the privilege to be standing here today in front of you saying that I am studying OT is an honour for me, and I'm super grateful to be here.”

The awards were not solely about sport, with talented performers also recognised for their achievements. Bagpipers featured prominently among the award recipients, with Dylan Forge (Bachelor of Law) competing at the Belfast International Tattoo and receiving an EAPP Academic Excellence Award. Meanwhile, University Blue recipient Daniel Whelan (Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science) was one of 18 members of the Hawthorn Pipe Band that represented Australia at the World Championship and was selected as Australia's sole representative in the MacCrimmon solo competition in Lorient, Brittany.

ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis said that the university’s Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) was instrumental in helping talented students balance university studies with elite sport or performance.

 “There has long been an assumption that combining study with elite sport or performance is too much to handle, that something has to give. But students who have been supported by EAPP consistently prove that wrong,” Professor Skrbis said.

A remarkable cohort of achievers were celebrated across the three awards ceremonies, with University Blues and a range of other awards presented for 2026.

University Blue:

Amber Pavendranathan (Aerobic Gymnastics), Alana Jancevski (Football (soccer)), Daniel Whelan (Bagpipes / Pipe Band), Emily Whitehead (Gymnastics), Iris Milham (Hockey Official), Jacqueline Davison-McGovern (Swimming), Jessica Cole (Swimming), Katherine Easton (Rowing), Laura Gardiner (AFLW), Luke Barrable (Canoe Polo), Matthew Engesser (Para triathlon), Nicolas Diaz Ballas (Trampoline Gymnastics), Sacha Rapchuk (Ice Hockey), Savo Todic (Water Polo), Sophie Temple (Acrobatic Gymnastics), Tyson Mutsch (Water Polo)

Half Blue:

Amelie Hoefel (Water Polo), Laura Milford (Indoor Hockey), Mia Toohey (Athletics), Savo Todic (Water Polo), Trinity Woelms (Irish Dancing)

EAPP Academic Excellence Award:

Dylan Forge (Bagpipes), Luke Barrable (Canoe Polo), Tilly Hughes (Water Polo), Troy Sitkowski (Trampoline Gymnastics)

EAPP Academic Commendation:

Elise Condon (Indoor Hockey), Harrison Patruno (Touch Football), Isabella Rosewarne (Surf Lifesaving), Laura Milford (Hockey), Nicolas Diaz Ballas (Trampoline Gymnastics)

Athlete or Performer of the Year:

Reilly Flanagan (Aerial Skiing)

Outstanding Performance by an Athlete/Performer with a Disability:

Sally Schwartz (Wheelchair Tennis)

Indigenous Athlete/Performer of the Year:

Jordan Bliss (Hockey)

ACU Team of the Year:

ACU Women's Netball (UniSport Nationals Women's Netball Team)

ACU Club of the Year:

ACU Sydney Netball Club (Netball)