SPORT AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES EIGHT NEW INDUCTEES FOR 2021

Eight new inductees were announced today into the nation’s most prestigious sporting club, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF).  

The inductees include six Olympians, former Australian soccer and cricket captains, and one of the nation’s greatest-ever Paralympians.

The new inductees are four-time Olympian and dual-gold cycling medallist Anna Meares; two-time world 400m hurdles champion Jana Pittman; former Australian soccer captain and two-time Olympian – part of the Olyroos team at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics – Mark Viduka; 12-time Paralympian and winner of nine gold medals, Libby Kosmala; Olympic hockey gold medallist Jamie Dwyer; former Australian women’s cricket captain and ICC Player of the Year, Karen Rolton; four-time Olympian and sport administrator Steve Moneghetti; and eight-time Olympic water polo player and coach, Tom Hoad.

They will be honoured in a television special on the Seven Network on December 2, Australia’s Sporting Heroes and Legends – a Celebration of the 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

The honour roll of induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame features our nation’s biggest sporting names and champions, including Sir Donald Bradman AC, Dawn Fraser AC MBE, Cathy Freeman OAM, Ian Thorpe AM, E.J “Ted” Whitten OAM, Raelene Boyle AM MBE, Wally Lewis AM, Shane Gould OAM MBE, Sir Jack Brabham AO OBE, Greg Norman AO, Lauren Jackson AO, John Eales AM, Susie O’Neill AM, Rod Laver AC MBE, Bart Cummings AM, Louise Sauvage OAM and Layne Beachley AO, among other luminaries.

Those who join this elite group have not only excelled in their chosen field, but done so with dignity, integrity, courage, modesty, pride and ambition. In 2021, six former sporting greats are being inducted as athlete members and the other two are being inducted as general members for their incredible contribution to sports administration.

Induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is reserved for the best of the best. Nominations are received via the SAHOF website. Each year the selection committee selects up to eight new inductees.
 
“The Hall of Fame forms a Who’s Who of Australia’s sporting greats,” John Bertrand AO, Chair, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, said.

“Being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of Australian sport – one can go no higher”

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame will come to life for 2021 in a television special on the Seven Network on December 2 honouring the new inductees, Australia’s Sporting Heroes and Legends – a Celebration of the 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
 
This year’s Sport Australia Hall of Fame celebration will feature special interviews with some of sport’s biggest and most beloved names, including the 2021 Hall of Fame inductees and the winners of The Don Award and the inaugural The Dawn Award.

The result of a public vote for the News Corp Magic Moment will also be revealed on the night. This will determine the most significant Sport Australia Hall of Fame moment from a shortlist of 20 outstanding Australian sporting moments throughout the past 60 years.
 
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame Induction and Awards program is sponsored by Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport. And proudly supported by Sportscover and Victoria University.

Tom Hoad AM (Sports Administration and Coach) WA
Tom Hoad has made a great contribution to water polo through administration and coaching. His commitment was so deeply ingrained that he was fittingly bestowed with the nickname “Mr Water Polo”. As a player and coach, he represented Australia at eight Olympic Games. His extraordinary service to the sport as a player, team leader, coach and long-time administrator spanned six decades. Hoad’s work as an administrator and advocate for athletes across numerous sports proved every bit as ground-breaking and influential as his water polo career.