Matilda Sam Kerr, cricketer Ellyse Perry and para-athletes Madison de Rozario and Lauren Parker highlight the field of inspirational athletes for the 2018 "The Don" Award.
All four athletes have had standout years including gold medals from the Commonwealth Games in April.
The Award, which is set to be announced on October 11, recognises athletes for their performances and ability to 'inspire the nation'. It is named in honour of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s first Inductee, the late Sir Donald Bradman AC.
'THE DON' AWARD FINALISTS REVEALED
— Sport Aus HallofFame (@SportAusHoF) October 1, 2018
A star-studded list of Australian sporting champions whose achievements have most ‘inspired the nation’ has been revealed.
Read more here: https://t.co/JtWE7NcnzF#SAHOF #TheDon pic.twitter.com/JUvbVtXe5I
Young Australian of the Year for 2018, Kerr continues to pile up the awards and accolades as she continues to inspire the next generation of young footballers.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be named a Finalist for The Don Award,” Kerr told Matildas.com.au.
“This is such a prestigious award and as an Australian Athlete, this nomination means so much to me,” she said.
The 25-year-old set a national record in the Matildas match against Norway at the Algarve Cup earlier this year scoring 12 goals across seven consecutive matches and became the first NWSL player to reach 50 goals.
Alongside Kerr is former Matilda turned cricket star Ellyse Perry.
After scoring a women's test cricket record 213 not out, Perry capped off her season by winning the ICC International Player of the Year and the Belinda Clark Medal, awarded to Australia’s best player.
“I’m incredibly chuffed and honored to be named as a finalist,” Perry said.
One of the most inspirational stories to come out of the Commonwealth Games was that of paratriathlete Lauren Parker. Her bronze medal came a year after she became a paraplegic after a bike crash during a training ride for the Ironman Australia.
De Rozario is another inspirational para-athlete winning both the women's T54 1500m and T54 marathon at the Commonwealth Games, before taking out the London marathon a week later.
She then completed a hat-trick of golds at the Nottwil Grand Prix, where she took out the 1,500m in world record time.
Former winners of ‘The Don’ Award include Sally Pearson, Cadel Evans, Pat Rafter and Cathy Freeman.
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