Australian sporting icon and past Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Cathy Freeman OAM will be a guest speaker at the 2026 National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards.
The Awards will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 7 November, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, teams, organisations and sporting leaders.
Freeman needs little introduction. Her victory in the 400 metres at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games remains one of the defining moments in Australian sporting history, but her influence extends well beyond that famous night.
Through her achievements, leadership and enduring connection with communities across Australia, Freeman has helped create opportunities and inspire generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes.
Her contribution was recognised at the returning National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards in 2023, when she received the National Lifetime Achievement Award. Freeman had also been a prominent recipient throughout the Awards’ earlier history, recognised as National Sportswoman in 1991, 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001.
Her return in 2026 as a guest speaker brings that history full circle and provides a fitting link between the past, present and future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sport.
Celebrating the people who make sport possible
The National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards recognise excellence at every level of sport.
While the Awards celebrate some of Australia’s most accomplished athletes, they also shine a light on the coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, community organisations and emerging leaders whose work strengthens sport and creates opportunities for others.
Nominations for the 2026 Awards will open soon.
Ahead of the nomination period, NISF and CAS will look back at some of the outstanding people and organisations recognised by the Awards over the years. Cathy Freeman is the first in the series, with more past recipients and award categories to be profiled in the coming weeks.
The 2026 National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards will take place on Saturday 7 November at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Stay tuned for nomination details and further event announcements.
The Confederation of Australian Sport is proud to support the Awards and help recognise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people making an impact across Australian sport.