Celebrating a year of sporting success, academic achievement and community impact, more than 80 student-athletes were recognised at the Griffith University 2026 Blues Awards, with Jeff Horn OLY and Ella Sabljak PLY taking their place amongst Griffith’s sporting legends in the Griffith Hall of Fame.
Supported by ANZ, the Blues Awards recognised 25 athletes with a Half Blue Award for representing their nation at a junior level or in regional international competitions, and 57 athletes received a Full Blue Award for representing their country at a senior level during their studies.
Producing more Olympians than any other Australian university across the past three Olympic Games, Griffith was the first university to be recognised as an Australian Olympic Pathway University.
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY said the Blues Awards was the highlight of Griffith’s sporting calendar.
“To have more than 80 student-athletes balancing university study with international competition is incredible,” Ms McCarthy said.
“It is a credit to our athletes and to Griffith for providing an environment where they can succeed in both.
“Tonight we have celebrated athletes who are already amongst the world’s best, and no doubt some who will be stars on the world stage in 2032.”
Griffith Hall of Fame
Recognising a legacy of excellence on and off the sporting field, the Griffith Hall of Fame honours athletes whose leadership, achievement and service have made a significant contribution to sport and the university.
Griffith Alumnus Ella Sabljak PLY (Bachelor of Primary Education) was honoured for her distinguished 15-year career in elite sport as a Paralympian, World Champion and Commonwealth Games medallist, as well as her enduring contribution to sport through athlete advocacy and leadership roles that have advanced opportunities for athletes with disability.
Griffith Alumnus Jeff Horn OLY (Bachelor of Education) was recognised for an outstanding boxing career that included winning the World Boxing Organisation World Welterweight Championship, alongside his dedication to teaching and co-founding a bullying prevention program that has delivered resilience education to children in regional communities.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Health) Professor Analise O’Donovan, Jeff Horn OLY and Vice President (Advancement) Mr Marcus Ward.
Athlete of the Year Award
Recognising his outstanding sporting achievement, Lachlan Kennedy OLY (Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Business) was named Athlete of the Year following a breakthrough season that saw him become Australia’s fastest man, break a 25-year-old 100m record and win a silver medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in a time of 9.85 seconds.
Junior Athlete of the Year
Four athletes shared the Junior Athlete of the Year Award in recognition of outstanding performances on the international stage.
Isaac Beacroft (Bachelor of Business) won gold in the men’s 10,000m race walk at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, then claimed the world under-20 title in the 5,000m race walk at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships.
Ali McCarthy (Bachelor of Education), Emmerson McEwen (Bachelor of Nursing and Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing) and Isabelle O’Connor (Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management, and Bachelor of Business) were members of the Australian team that won gold at the 2026 World Aquatics U18 Women’s Water Polo Championships, securing Australia’s first-ever Women’s U18 Championship title.
Excellence in Action Award
Recognised for her sporting achievements, commitment to study and contribution to the community, swimming gold medallist Shayna Jack OAM OLY (Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice) received the Excellence in Action Award following two gold medals and two bronze medals at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games while completing her degree and serving as an ambassador for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
First Peoples Athlete of the Year Award
Torres Strait Islander sport climber Kyle Heuston-Connor (Bachelor of Advanced Engineering, majoring in Civil Engineering) received the First Peoples Athlete of the Year Award for continuing to excel on the international stage and competing in the World Climbing Oceania Series as he works towards qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Para Athlete of the Year Award
Curtis McGrath OAM PLY (Bachelor of Aviation Management) received the Para Athlete of the Year Award after achieving outstanding academic results while continuing his dominance on the international stage, winning gold in the Men’s KL2 200m at the Paracanoe World Cup in Germany and securing his 13th world championship title in Poland.
Academic Athlete of the Year
Aerial skier Sid Stephens OLY (Bachelor of Psychological Science) balanced the demands of elite sport with her studies achieving the highest grade-point average of all student-athletes, while representing Australia at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
