The Canberra sporting community celebrated its brightest stars and most impactful teams at the prestigious Canberra Sport Awards, held at the Belconnen Arts Centre on Thursday, November 20, 2025. While the coveted bronze of a grand final trophy eluded them, the Canberra Raiders were recognised for their monumental season, claiming the Team of the Year award.
Honouring Canberra's Sporting Elite
The Raiders' victory was a testament to their profound impact on the capital. Despite the Canberra Cavalry's Australian Baseball League championship and the Canberra Gunners' NBL1 national title, the green machine's record-breaking crowds and emotional journey captured the city's heart. The team defied expectations to secure their first minor premiership in 35 years, with players like Josh Papalii and Kaeo Weekes creating moments that turned fans into true believers, even after a finals exit.
In the individual categories, aerial skiing superstar Laura Peel was named Women's Athlete of the Year. From her training base in northern Finland, Peel expressed her pride in representing Canberra. "I am really proud to be able to represent Canberra," she said, reflecting on a dominant season where she finished ranked world number one and won five out of seven World Cups, all while building momentum for the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
Cyclist Jay Vine claimed the Men's Athlete of the Year award, while James Turner was honoured as the Para Athlete of the Year, rounding out a night that celebrated excellence across the sporting spectrum.
Infrastructure Challenges and Social Media Wins
The week in Canberra sport wasn't without its hurdles. The ageing AIS Arena faced a significant malfunction, causing a 62-minute delay to a WNBL game between the Canberra Capitals and Sydney. A scoreboard failure left 3,168 fans in limbo until a temporary solution was hastily arranged from Belconnen Basketball Stadium. The incident starkly highlighted the city's pressing need for modern sporting infrastructure, a point not lost on officials.
Off the field, the Raiders continued to make waves, this time in the digital realm. The club's social media team is in the running to be crowned the NRL's best after a creative 2026 fixture reveal. Their clever campaign involved securing personalised video shoutouts from rival NRL players for a mysterious 'friend'—who turned out to be the Raiders' own Meninga Medal winner, Joe Tapine. The innovative approach has been widely praised as one of the best in the competition.
Groundbreaking Research for Olympic Glory
In a bid for future gold, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) is conducting a world-first research project with the Aussie Stingers water polo team. Led by renowned sports dietician Professor Louise Burke and sports scientist Dr Alannah McKay, the intensive two-week study meticulously monitors each athlete's energy expenditure, nutrition, and sleep patterns in the aquatic environment.
Stingers veteran Tenealle Fasala explained the project's critical importance. "This study is really important for us to get an understanding of the demand of our sport," Fasala said. "Once we get all the data... it's going to be really useful, especially when positions are different." The findings are expected to deliver tailored training and nutrition plans to maximise performance at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Beyond the awards and research, the local sports scene buzzed with other news. Canberra Region Rugby League put out a call for new commentators, Kelsey-Lee Barber announced her pregnancy, and the annual Canberra Community Chest race at Thoroughbred Park prepared to distribute $50,000 among twelve local charities, ensuring sport continues to be a powerful force for good in the community.
