Finalists in each of the 2022 NSW Sports Awards categories have been announced by Sport NSW today, with five northern beaches locals among the nominees.
Ben Tudehope (Athlete with Disability), Janelle Delaney (Masters), St Augustine’s Coxed Four (team), Graham Arnold (coach) and cricket umpire Claire Polosak (Official) will find out if they’re named best in their fields at an awards ceremony on November 28.
Tudhope was 17 when he won Australia’s first medal, a bronze in men’s snowboard cross, at the Beijing Winter Paralympics. Tudhope was also co-captain of the team after being selected for the 2014 Sochi Games when he was in Year 9.
Delaney was the star of the World Masters Athletics Championships being held in Tampere, Finland,, claiming three gold medals on the last three days, including a world record and two Australian records.

Following on from her 200m silver earlier in the program, Delaney won the 50 years 400m in style in 58.41 seconds, nearly two seconds ahead of the 200m winner USA’s Emmanuelle McGowan, with third a further two seconds back.
As reported in these pages, the coxed four crew of St Augustine’s College rowed their way into history when they took out the final at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy.
The crew of Brandon Smith, Oliver St Pierre, Joe Lynch, Josh Wilson and cox Ryder Taylor were representing Australia and took out the final just .10 of a second ahead of the crew from Italy.

Arnold had the highly-pressurised job of Socceroos coach when the Australian national team made it to the World Cup in Qatar following a thrilling penalty shoot-out at Accor Stadium.
Arnold had the highly-pressurised job of Socceroos coach when the Australian national team made it to the World Cup in Qatar following a thrilling penalty shoot-out at Accor Stadium.
Arnold’s tactic to replace goal-keeper Mat Ryan with Andrew Redmayne ahead of the penalty shoot-out proved a master-stroke as the ‘Grey Wiggle’ danced his country into history.
Polosak, 34, was the first female umpire to officiate a men’s Test Match when she was appointed as Fourth Umpire for the third Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The appointment added to the growing list of firsts for Polosak who also became the first female umpire appointed to a Men’s One-Day International.
Among the list of finalists is a frequent and much-loved visitor to the northern beaches, surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore, nominated for Athlete of the Year alongside Olympic gold medal-winning paddler Jessica Fox.

The Awards ceremony will also unveil Brad Dalton (Basketball), Craig Johnston (Football), Phil Kearns AM (Rugby Union), Joanne ‘Joey’ Peters (Football), Prashanth Sellathurai (Gymnastics) and Liesl Tesch AM (Wheelchair Basketball & Para Sailing) as the newest inductees into the NSW Hall of Champions.
The 2022 NSW Sports Awards are NSW’s highest sports honours and the 12 category winners will be revealed at the prestigious rebel NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour on Monday, November 28.
The Ceremony will be attended by the elite of NSW sport and the Awards celebrate the achievements of NSW athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and organisations.
Tickets to the Champions of Sport Ceremony are available to the public by visiting www.sportnsw.com.au.