Sydney Cricket Ground Hosts Indigenous Sports Awards
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards return to the venue for the first time since 2001.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Running
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The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards are held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Gadigal land. The ceremony is the first held at the venue since 2001, and TriMob is nominated for Team of the Year.
Why it matters
The awards were established to use sport to bring people from all backgrounds together, and their return to Sydney marks a renewed national focus on Indigenous sporting achievement. The event recognises athletes, coaches and community leaders across the country.
The awards were established in 1986 by Charles Perkins and were held in Brisbane and Melbourne after being revived in 2023 following a 20-year hiatus. The source does not provide attendance figures or the outcome of the nominations.
The players
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman is a retired Australian sprinter and Olympic gold medallist, widely regarded as one of the country's most celebrated Indigenous athletes.
Charles Perkins
Charles Perkins was an Aboriginal Australian activist and public servant who helped found the awards in 1986 to promote Indigenous participation in sport.
Nathan Lovett-Murray
Nathan Lovett-Murray is the current organiser of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards.
TriMob
TriMob is an Australian organisation established in 2020 that encourages Indigenous communities to be physically active through triathlons and marathons.
The details
The ceremony takes place at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Cathy Freeman delivering the keynote address. Award categories include Lifetime Achievement, Sportsperson of the Year and National Trailblazer.
Timeline
1986: The awards are established by Charles Perkins.
2001: Sydney last hosts the ceremony.
2020: TriMob is established.
2023: The awards return after a 20-year hiatus in Brisbane and Melbourne.
7 November 2026: The ceremony is held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Season Trajectory
The awards continue a tradition founded by Charles Perkins in 1986 of using sport to recognise Indigenous achievement across Australia. The return to Sydney reinforces the event's national profile after its revival in 2023.
Fans following the awards can track the category winners announced at the Sydney Cricket Ground ceremony. Readers interested in TriMob's Mob the Marathon program can follow its participants in the Sydney Marathon.
The takeaway
The awards show how sport can connect Indigenous communities with wider Australian society. Readers can follow the category winners and the continuing work of organisations such as TriMob.
Further reading
For more on athletes competing in long-distance events, see Running.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
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