Australian Sailing CEO Ben Houston has been named as a finalist for the Australian Institute of Sport’s Award for Leadership at the 2022 AIS Sport Performance Awards (ASPAs).

The ASPAs return after a COVID-impacted lay-off in 2021, and will celebrate the incredible achievements of Australian high performance athletes and sports in 2022.

Houston has been recognised for his contribution to the Australian sports sector and for his role in leading Australian Sailing through the impacts of the pandemic, whilst also delivering the organisation’s 10-year strategic plan, SAILING 2032. He is also the President of Commonwealth Games Australia, who have partnered with the Victorian Government to bring the Commonwealth Games back to Australia and to host the Commonwealth Games in Regional Victoria in 2026.

“I am honoured and humbled to be announced as a finalist for this year’s ASPAs,” said Houston.

“I would like to congratulate all finalists, particularly the other amazing leaders in the category. I would like to thank the Board and Staff of Australian Sailing and Commonwealth Games Australia for the great support and commitment to me and to our shared passion for Australian sport.”

Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM congratulated the finalists across the 12 award categories, who will be honoured at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday December 15. 

“The ASPAs is a true celebration of Australian high performance sport and the fact we have more than 20 different sports represented across the award categories is a reminder of how many wonderful moments we’ve experienced this year,” Mr Perkins said.

“We were privileged to start 2022 by cheering on our Winter Olympians and Paralympians in Beijing, while only a few months ago the nation was inspired by Australia topping the medal tally at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

“It has been a brilliant way to kick-start our green and gold decade towards Brisbane 2032 and I look forward to celebrating with all our finalists and friends across sport next month.

The winners of each category will be announced at a black-tie function in Sydney on Thursday 15 December 2022.

Full list of the 2022 ASPA Finalists:

Female Athlete of the Year
Alyssa Healy, Cricket Australia   
Charlotte Caslick, Rugby Australia
Jakara Anthony OAM, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Jessica Stenson, Athletics Australia
Liz Watson, Netball Australia

Female Para-athlete of the Year
Emily Petricola, AusCycling       
Jessica Gallagher, Rowing Australia
Katja Dedekind, Swimming Australia
Qian Yang, Table Tennis Australia 

Male Athlete of the Year
Cam Smith, Golf Australia          
Kieran Woolley, Skate Australia
Scott James, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Zac Stubblety-Cook, Swimming Australia 

Male Para-athlete of the Year
Ben Tudhope, Snow Australia    
Col Pearse, Swimming Australia
Ryley Batt, Wheelchair Rugby/Paralympics Australia
Tim Hodge, Swimming Australia

Coach of the Year
Alexander Stewart, Athletics Australia     
Brad Dubberley, Wheelchair Rugby/Paralympics Australia
Peter McNiel and Kate Blamey, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Tim Walsh, Rugby Australia 

Emerging Athlete of the Year
Donnell Wallam, Netball Australia           
Maddison Levi, Rugby Australia
Nina Kennedy, Athletics Australia
Valentino Guseli, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia 

High Performance Program of the Year
Athletics Australia          
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
The Australian Dolphins, Swimming Australia
Wheelchair Rugby, Paralympics Australia 

Award for Leadership
Andrew Faichney, Athletics Australia      
Ben Houston, Australian Sailing
Jaime Fernandez, Rowing Australia
Petria Thomas, Commonwealth Games Australia 

Team of the Year
Australian Steelers Wheelchair Rugby Team/Paralympics Australia         
Australian Women’s Cricket Team, Cricket Australia
Hockeyroos, Hockey Australia
Women's Rugby 7s, Rugby Australia

Community Engagement Award
Caitlin Ward, AusCycling           
Carol Cooke, AusCycling
Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Athletics Australia
Rhydian Cowley, Athletics Australia

Win Well Award
Athletics Australia          
Golf Australia
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Victorian Institute of Sport 

Sport Volunteer of the Year Award
Nicole Williams, Cricket Australia
Amanda Bowman, Golf Australia
Tea-Rose Passon, Surf Life Saving Australia
Theodora Niakolas, Special Olympics Australia