Celebrating Excellence in Your Workplace
This year, AFL SportsReady is proud to present three prestigious National Awards, recognising those who’ve truly excelled in both their personal and professional development:
-
Honours a trainee or apprentice who has demonstrated outstanding skills, dedication and a significant positive impact in their workplace. This award celebrates excellence, commitment, and the ability to go above and beyond.
-
Recognises an exceptional First Nations trainee or cadet who has excelled in their role while making meaningful cultural contributions in the workplace. This award honours dedication, leadership and the integration of cultural identity into professional growth.
-
Celebrates a trainee who has shown remarkable perseverance, personal growth and the ability to overcome challenges in the workplace. This award acknowledges resilience, determination and a commitment to self-improvement.
These awards spotlight the trainees and cadets who have gone above and beyond, demonstrating growth, commitment and excellence throughout their AFL SportsReady journey.
Nominees must have completed their traineeship or cadetship between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 to be eligible. Nominations officially closed on Monday, 10 February 2025.
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the 2025 AFL SportsReady Trainee of the Year Awards! We’ve been blown away by the passion, dedication and incredible achievements shared from across the country.
We’re excited to reveal this year’s shortlist—an inspiring group of finalists who truly represent the spirit of excellence these awards celebrate.
Our panel of judges is now in the final stages of selecting this year’s winners. We’ll be announcing the results soon, so stay tuned!
2025 Trainee of the Year Awards
Trainee of the Year Award – Impact & Excellence
Carla Gardiner – WINNER
Simone Martin – Shortlisted
Warumilang Trainee of the Year Award – Cultural Contribution
Ebony Noack – WINNER
Jewel Ray – Shortlisted
The Ready Foundation Growth Award – Resilience & Growth
Natalya Gauci – WINNER
Zoe Tame – Shortlisted
Nominees
-
Alexa Manners – St Mark’s College
-
Carla Gardiner – AFL
-
Charli Kelley – Gold Coast SUNS
-
Christian Aparo – Melbourne Football Club
-
Eliza Peterson – AFL SportsReady
-
Elleanor De Knegt – Mother Teresa Catholic College
-
Emily Sutherland – AFL NSW/ACT
-
Emma Pummeroy – Notre Dame College
-
Erin Rowlings – Catholic College Wodonga
-
Giselle Smith – Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School
-
Hannah Carr – St Patrick’s College
-
Isabella Andrews – Ray White Barossa Valley | Two Wells
-
Jeremy Simpson – AFL NSW/ACT
-
Jessica Hodge – St Francis Catholic College
-
Jordan Butera – McKinnon Secondary College
-
Kayla Gracie – FCJ College Benalla
-
Lachlan Martin – Woodcroft College
-
Lachlan Steytler – Great Southern Grammar
-
Lochie Forge – Yarrawonga College P-12
-
Madeline Wardle – Georgiana Molloy Anglican School
-
Makinley Gillespie – AFL NSW/ACT
-
Marc Buelo – Caroline Chisholm Catholic College
-
Matthew Forsyth – Department of Transport and Planning
-
Mercedes Schneider – St Clare’s College
-
Natalya Gauci – City of Sydney Council
-
Remy Ferguson – St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School
-
Sapphire Noyle – Melbourne Football Club
-
Sarah Dodds – AFL NSW/ACT
-
Simone Martin – Mater Christi College
-
Tahni Hodgens – Lowanna College
-
Tyla Chalmers – Seton Catholic College
-
Xavier Austin – Melbourne Cricket Club
-
Zac Rawson – William Carey Christian School
-
Zoe Tame – AFL Queensland
-
Jewel Ray – Western Downs Regional Council
-
Ebony Noack – Port Adelaide Football Club
-
Full-time/part-time Trainees, Cadets, School-Based Trainees and Apprentices are eligible for nomination when some of the following have been achieved:
- Successfully completed the AFL SportsReady program (compulsory)
- Consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic
- Collaborated effectively with colleagues
- Showed initiative and innovation in their role
- Exceeded expectations in their work contributions
- Achieved exceptional results
- Overcame challenges with resilience throughout the AFL SportsReady program
