Sporting stars shine bright at 2026 Mandurah Sports Awards

A judo and soccer star, a standout swimming club, and an inclusive parkrun event were among the big winners at the City of Mandurah Sports Awards on November 4. 

The Mandurah Sports Awards gala dinner celebrated local champions on and off the field, with more than 100 people enjoying the evening including athletes, sporting stars, volunteers, and team and club representatives. The crowd also welcomed special guest speaker Jane Claxton, who spoke about her journey in Australian hockey as a three-time Olympian and former Hockeyroo. 

Winners were announced across nine categories including Sports Person of the Year, which was again won by judo and soccer champion Georgia Aiesi, who first scooped the prestigious award in 2023. Just this year, Georgia went from captaining her local soccer club to the senior international football stage.

Georgia was Captain of the Mandurah City Football Club Women’s State League Division 1 team and was recognised by Football West as a top three finalist for Player of the Year, and the 2026 Female Football Week Player of the Year. 

She achieved a major milestone this year after being selected for the Samoa Women’s National Team for the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in the Solomon Islands. There, Georgia made her senior international debut, earned her first international cap and was selected as part of Samoa’s senior leadership team. 

Adding to her sporting success, Georgia also competed internationally in judo this year, including winning gold at the 2026 Melbourne International Open and becoming 2026 Perth State Champion.

Georgia continues to coach and mentor the Under-18 girls at Mandurah City FC, helping young players develop and supporting their pathway into senior football.

The Mandurah Swimming Club won the night’s Club of the Year award, celebrating a sucessful year with record membership growth and continued investment in developing athletes and the club.

Six swimmers and the Head Coach represented the club at the 2026 Australian Age Championships, while another two swimmers qualified for the 2026 Australian Swimming Trials. Success also came for the club at the 2026 Belt Up Country Pennants in Karratha, where a team of 30 swimmers brought home both the A Grade Pennant and A Grade Relay Championships. One swimmer also broke a 50-metre freestyle Country Pennants record that had stood since 2014. 

Mandurah Swimming Club supports senior swimmers to become junior coaches, creating opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and mentoring skills while helping the next generation of swimmers. The club also supports local schools, contributes to community initiatives, and caters for swimmers as young as six.

The Dawesville parkrun event won the Inclusion Program or Event category, recognised for a creating an inclusive and welcoming way for people to come together and enjoy a healthy activity. Over its 11 years, Dawesville parkrun has fostered connection and friendship between runners, walkers, families, volunteers and visitors with a weekly five-kilometre circuit that people can walk, run, or use a mobility aid.

Mayor Amber Kearns praised this year’s winners and finalists, and paid tribute to the wider contribution of Mandurah’s grassroots sporting community.

“Few things bring our community together quite like sport. Every week, on courts, ovals and in the water right across Mandurah, people of all ages and abilities are building skills, backing each other and finding a place where they belong, from elite athletes and first-timers to families and volunteers,” Mayor Kearns said.

“This year’s winners and finalists capture what sport in Mandurah is all about. Their hard work, determination and drive to keep improving is extremely inspiring, and it’s fantastic to recognise everything they’ve achieved.

“I also want to thank the volunteers, coaches, parents, and supporters who make it all possible. You keep our clubs running, and our sporting community would not be what it is without you.” 

The 2026 Mandurah Sports Awards winners are:

• Sports Person of the Year – Georgia Aiesi (soccer and judo) 

• Masters Sports Person of the Year – Alma Davies (hockey)

• Junior Sports Person of the Year – Cienna Tinkler (cycling)

• Sports Person of the Year with a Disability – Kaden Larney (blind and low vision tennis)

• Team of the Year - Mandurah Magic Women’s NBL1 Team

• Club of the Year - Mandurah Swimming Club 

• Volunteer of the Year – Neil Richardson (bowling) and Greg Kaeding (paddling)

• Junior Team of the Year – Mandurah Magic Girls Under 14s Red, WABL Championship Division

• Inclusion Program or Event – Dawesville parkrun