A trio of NSW’s best, most consistent and deserving athletes have been honoured with recognition by Sport NSW – named as finalists in several categories for the 2026 NSW Sport Awards.
Jemma Smith (Newport SLSC), Dane Sutton (Wanda SLSC) and Paul Lemmon OAM (Terrigal SLSC) will all contest categories at the gala NSW Champions of Sport ceremony in Sydney on 23 November.
Jemma, fresh off her second consecutive NSW Athlete of the Year crown at the Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence in August, is named alongside three-time Olympic paddle champion, Jess Fox OAM in the Athlete of the Year category.
Dane, meanwhile – who won a slew of medals at the 2026 NSW and Australian Surf Life Saving Championships and is preparing to line up in his first Iron Series in December – is a finalist for Young Athlete of the Year, and Paul – boasting more NSW Masters Athlete of the Year awards than can reasonably be counted – is a chance to win the same category at the Champions of Sport ceremony.
SLSNSW Director and Chair of Surf Sports, Don van Keimpema was proud to see so many finalists on show from the organisation.
“The NSW Sports Awards is a coming together of great NSW athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and organisations and celebrates the achievements from the past year,” he said.
“There are 77 finalists from more than 30 sports being represented across the 12 categories this year and it fills me with pride to see Surf Life Saving athletes among them.
“Jemma, Dane and Paul have consistently shown great determination and skill, and for the NSW Sports Awards to recognise that is fantastic for the athletes and a true acknowledgement of Surf Sports as a very important part of the state’s sporting landscape.”
Wednesday 28 October 2026