Article Written by Aaron Kirby | The West Australia
A nation-lifting performance at the FIFA World Cup has Sam Kerr, right, on the verge of her third Sports Star of the Year award while world No.5 Jack Robinson is hoping to become the first surfer to take home the honour.
The West Australian can reveal the pair are the final finalists for the SportWest WA Sports Star of the Year award — alongside Minjee Lee, Min Woo Lee, Courtney Bruce, Jai Hindley, Matt Wearn, Annabelle McIntyre, Nina Kennedy, Mitch Marsh, Rhiannon Clarke and Matthew Richardson — which recognises the outstanding and highest achievement of an individual from Western Australia.
Previous winners include cricket superstar Adam Gilchrist (2003), star cyclist Cameron Meyer (2011, 2012) and dual Brownlow medallist Nathan Fyfe (2015, 2019).
Samantha Kerr
Despite her calf injury, Kerr made waves at home and globally when she scored a stunning goal in front of 75,784 at Stadium Australia in the World Cup semifinal against England.
It didn’t save the Matildas from defeat, but the team and Kerr’s performances swept up a nation as Australia hosted the pinnacle FIFA event for the first time, finishing fourth.
Outside of international duties, Kerr inspired her club, Chelsea, to a fourth-straight Women’s Super League title and a third consecutive FA Cup. The prolific striker scored 29 goals. She was rewarded by being named the second-best women’s footballer on the planet, runner-up in the prestigious FIFABest/Ballon d’Or Feminin.
Jack Robinson
2023 was almost the year of what could have been for Jack Robinson. Leading the tour rankings heading into the cut after winning the WSL Pro Pipeline to start the year, a spate of injuries derailed his campaign. Robinson entered the WSL Tahiti Pro, having slipped to eighth place on the rankings.
However, he showed his steel, taking down three-time World Champion Gabriel Media in a thrilling final at Teahupo’o. It clinched his spot in the final five as well as secured provisional qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 2023 WA Sport Awards will be presented on Thursday, 29 February 2024 at HBF Stadium. Tickets are on sale now, purchase your ticket HERE.
For more information
Please contact SportWest Events Manager, Hannah Lawton at events@sportwest.com.au or Communications Manager Bronte Vause at brontevause@sportwest.com.au
