WADSA Celebrates Its 2026 Sports Star of the Year Awards Winners
October 06, 2026 Read time - 4 minutes
Members/Partners
On Friday, 18th September 2026, the Western Australian Disabled Sports Association (WADSA) community came together to celebrate another remarkable year of achievements, inclusion, and sporting excellence.
Hosted by WADSA President and Paralympian Priya Cooper, the evening was a vibrant tribute to the athletes, volunteers, members, and organizations that make WADSA such a vital part of the WA sporting landscape. We were honored to be joined by representatives from Healthway and the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, whose ongoing support makes our programs possible.
The night showcased the incredible talent within our community and highlighted the power of inclusive sport to foster connection, independence, and growth.
2026 Healthway Competitions Program Winners
The Healthway Competitions Program forms the backbone of our yearly sporting schedule, providing monthly opportunities for people of all abilities to compete and have fun. We were proud to recognize the champions across a variety of disciplines:
| Competition |
Winner(s)
|
|---|---|
| Boccia Pairs Championships (BC Division) | Janita Kelly & Alex Allsopp |
| Participation Championships (Male) | Brandon Marenko |
| Participation Championships (Female) | Poppy Merdi |
| Hansa Liberty State Championships | Robert Crofts |
| Ten Pin Bowling Championships (Singles Female Scratch) | Kiara Upton |
| Ten Pin Bowling Championships (Singles Male Scratch) | Shayne Skerry |
| Ten Pin Bowling Championships (Teams Scratch) | Special Friends (Shayne Skerry, Carlo Minissale, Tim Macoboy, Jordan Hunter) |
| Hansa 303 Double State Championships | Liz Syed & Sarah Liddiard |
| Hansa 303 Singles State Championships | Josh Henrickson |
| Boccia Singles Championships (Open Division) | Leon Brien |
| Boccia Singles Championships (BC Division) | Grace Panaia |
Community and Coaching Excellence
Our volunteers and coaches are the heart of WADSA. Their dedication ensures our programs are inclusive, well-supported, and responsive to the needs of our members.
WADSA VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: Stephanie Neville. Stephanie’s enthusiastic support across various events and her valuable contributions to the WADSA Conversation Group have made a significant impact on our inclusivity efforts.
WADSA MEMBER VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: Georgia Ellis (Break the Boundary). Georgia’s tireless work in developing outdoor recreation programs and her strong advocacy for accessibility legislation have set a new standard for leadership in our community.
COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER: Hailey Mainwaring (Superfins WA). A swimming teacher for 30 years, Hailey was recognized for her extraordinary ability to adapt her coaching to the individual needs of every swimmer, helping them build confidence and independence.
TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: WA State Deaf and Hard of Hearing Cricketers.
After claiming the National Championship on home soil, the team was further honored with the prestigious Spirit of Cricket Award for their sportsmanship and unity.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: Archery WA. Partnering with WADSA on multiple programs, Archery WA has been instrumental in creating new, accessible opportunities for people with disability.
Celebrating Our Stars
The evening culminated in the presentation of our highest individual honors.
2026 WADSA Junior Sports Star of the Year Award
Winner: Claudia Flamini Claudia has had an extraordinary year across athletics, swimming, and dancesport. Notably, she became the first Western Australian and youngest athlete to qualify for the Virtus World Athletics Championships, where she secured four medals. Claudia has also qualified for the 2026 Virtus Oceania Games, underscoring her potential as a future leader in elite sports.
2026 WADSA Sports Star of the Year
Winner: Kate Wallington Kate’s swimming season has been nothing short of historic. Competing in the II-3 (Autism) classification, she delivered a dominant performance at the Virtus Swimming World Championships in Bangkok, winning nine gold medals and breaking nine Virtus World Records. Her momentum continued at the WA Short Course Championships, where she shattered an additional 12 world records. Kate’s ability to balance elite international competition with university study serves as an inspiration to all.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our award winners, nominees, and everyone who joined us for a fantastic night of celebration. A special thank you to our sponsors for their ongoing commitment to inclusive sport in Western Australia.
We look forward to building on this success in the coming year!
“Great night! Well done WADSA!! 👏👏👏 “
“Thank you for an enjoyable evening “
– Annual Awards Attendee’s
If you would like to become a Member of WADSA please contact contact [email protected].