The Illawarra Mercury Sportsperson of the Year winners in the past decade are athletes of elite and extraordinary talent. We want to showcase the best our athletes and leading sportspeople in the best possible way, from the football field, to the athletics track, swimming pool, octagon and race tracks.
With the last Illawarra Sports Award annual dinner being held in 2012, the Illawarra Mercury since continued the tradition of the Sportsperson of the Year and People’s Choice Awards.
With the Illawarra Academy of Sport and the Illawarra Mercury are at the forefront of sport in the region, in 2022 we are working together with our partners to deliver the re-branded and re-energised Illawarra Sports Awards on Thursday 10 November 2022.
Past Illawarra Mercury winners
Sportsperson of the Year
2021: Emma McKeon (swimming)
2020: Jessica Hull (athletics)
2019: Alex Volkanovski (mixed martial arts)
2018: Ali Day (surf lifesaving)
2017: Kezie Apps (rugby league)
2016: Emma McKeon (swimming) and Tyler Wright (surfing)
2015: Michelle Heyman and Caitlin Foord (football)
2014: Emma McKeon (swimming)
2013: Sally Fitzgibbons (surfing)
People’s Choice Award
2021: Emma McKeon (swimming)
2020: Alex Volkanovski (mixed martial arts)
2019: Luke Wilkshire (football)
2018: Alex Volkanovski (mixed martial arts)
2017: Rotnei Clarke (basketball)
2016: Alex Volkanovski (mixed martial arts)
2015: Michelle Heyman and Caitlin Foord (football)
2014: Brendon Santalab (football)
2013: Michelle Carney (football)
