Awards Criteria
The Don Award
A special category of annual recognition of current athletes exists titled The Don Award named in honour of inaugural Inductee and Legend Sir Donald Bradman and specifically the words he spoke when accepting Induction on behalf of the inaugural Inductees in 1985. This was:
“When considering the stature of an athlete or for that matter any person, I set great store in certain qualities which I believe to be essential in addition to skill. They are that the person conducts his or her life with dignity, with integrity, courage and perhaps most of all, with modesty. These virtues are totally compatible with pride, ambition and competitiveness.”
In considering nominations for this Award, the Committee will consider the following broad criteria:
a. Current Athletes or Teams, who through their performance and example over the preceding 12 months have had the most capacity to inspire the nation.
b. The performance is to have been achieved at the highest level of their sport.
c. The award is not intended to be a ‘best of best’ award.
A list of finalists will be selected from which the winner will be chosen.
The period for consideration will be the period of 12 months (or thereabouts) with the cutoff date being September (date to be determined annually) each year.
Recognition of the winner does not confer on that person membership of SAHOF.
The naming of the winner will remain confidential until the announcement within the Annual Induction and Awards Program, but the names of finalists may be released publicly beforehand.
Spirit of Sport Award
A special award was initiated by the Board in 2005 to acknowledge an extraordinary sporting achievement and performance that captures the heart of the nation.
This award is not intended to be given annually but may be granted at the Board’s discretion, for a performance that is very special and destined to be part of Australian sporting history.
The Committee may consider each year all events, individual and team performances that are very special and considered ‘one off’ stand-alone ‘memorable sporting moment’.
The final selection resting with the Board.
The period for consideration will be 12 months (or thereabouts) calculated from the previous Induction and Awards Program.
The naming of the winner will remain confidential unless the Board deem otherwise.
Recognition of the winner does not confer on that person membership of SAHOF.
Team Sport Australia Award
A special category of recognition exists for Teams. The Board will consider recommendations from the Selection Committee for inclusion in this category.
In considering Teams for nomination the following criteria shall apply:
a. Australian teams will be considered which through their performances have:
(i) made significant contribution to the nation’s sporting heritage
(ii) competed at the highest level of participation available in that sport for that team and in a specific event.
For the purposes of this and the next clause ‘a specific event’ means a single event but may comprise one or more matches or a series of matches for which the team was chosen.
b. A team is a combination of two or more players who form a side or unit for the purposes of a specific event.
c. It is not intended in determining eligibility that the whole of a national squad would be considered. A multi-sport squad or multiple discipline squad are not considered e.g Olympic squads or a Swimming World Championship team.
d. Teams may only include those who competed and not those who were part of a wider squad of players.
e. In the case of winning relay teams, only athletes who competed in the final will be considered.
f. Chronological order of team success will be considered but not essential.
g. Consideration of teams will be four years after the achievement to allow for historical context. The committee at its discretion can extend this period.
Voting will be conducted in the same manner as for selection of Members.
Recognition of the winner does not confer on that person membership of SAHOF however, the team will be enshrined into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and included in all historic records. Persons comprising a team are eligible for individual membership by virtue of their own achievements.
Hall of Fame Moments
A special category that recognises the moments that are a part of Australia’s sporting history.
Hall of Fame Moments is designed to run as a campaign for public engagement through a media outlet selected by the Board.
Nominations for Hall of Fame Moments master list must be submitted in line with the nomination process detailed in clause 7 of the Selection Policy.
Hall of Fame Moment must be a moment that is regarded as having contributed to the rich Australian sport tapestry. These are not THE Greatest Moments, they are Great Moments.
A moment will not be considered until 4 years have passed since its occurrence
The committee will vote for their 20 Moments from a master list which will form the Top 20 Hall of Fame Moments.
The Top 20 Hall of Fame Moments will be approved by the Board before going to their preferred media outlet for publication and public voting.
The selected media outlet may brand the public vote as they wish while incorporating the Sport Australia Hall of Fame moment. The media outlet may run the public vote in a manner that works to their interest.
Recognition of the winner does not confer on that person membership of SAHOF however the moment will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame and included in all historic records. Persons comprising a moment are eligible for individual membership by virtue of their own achievements.