Hall of Fame

Nominations for the 2026 Hall of Fame will open shortly. The event will be held on Thursday, August 20th at McDonald Jones Stadium. Please ensure all nominations are submitted by July 1st.

Selection Criteria

Compulsory Requirements: Nominees must fulfill ALL the following criteria:

  • Represented Australia as an athlete or served as an official at a national/international event.
  • Participated in authorised events endorsed by the relevant Australian or international sporting organizations.
  • Completed active participation and retired from top-level competition.
  • Born in the Hunter Region, competed for a Hunter team/association, or served as an official in a Hunter event before gaining honours elsewhere.
 

Eligible Town Councils in Hunter Region:

  • Cessnock
  • Dungog
  • Mid Coast
  • Lake Macquarie
  • Maitland
  • Muswellbrook
  • Newcastle
  • Port Stephens
  • Singleton
  • Upper Hunter
 

Exceptional Cases:

  • Sporting careers widely recognized throughout Australia as outstanding (e.g., AFL Football, Harness & Horse racing).
  • Won a recognized Open Australian Championship or World Championship representing an Australian State or region.
 

The Committee may consider individuals with significant national and/or international achievements even if they don’t meet the specific criteria. A special resolution with 75% acceptance is required.

Committee decisions are final, and all selections are at the Committee’s discretion.

Unsuccessful applicants may be nominated again for further consideration.

The Committee has the authority to nominate inductees.

Important Nomination Guidelines:

To ensure your nomination has the best chance of success:

  • Verify that your nominee meets the requirements set out in the guidelines.
  • Complete the nomination form accurately.
  • Notify the relevant sporting branch or association.
  • Include a detailed biography of the nominee, covering both personal and sporting history.
  • Provide as much additional information as possible, such as news clippings, photos, letters, certificates, etc.
 

Submit all additional nomination materials to rohan@regionalacademies.org.au Include any applicable records or achievements like Olympic, International, Commonwealth, or Australian records, along with other significant statistics and sporting accomplishments.

Don’t miss this opportunity to honour the exceptional sports figures from the Hunter Region. Get your nominations in before the deadline and join us in celebrating their outstanding contributions to sports.

Josh valentine

Rugby Union

Josh Valentine is a talented scrum-half who rose through the ranks with the Singleton Bulls and local representative teams. He kicked off his pro career with the Queensland Reds, later starring for the Waratahs, Force, and Brumbies. A Wallaby with six caps, Josh also made his mark overseas, playing in France since 2011. Known for his sharp game sense and leadership, he’s proudly represented Australian rugby at every level.

owen beldam

Golf

A lifelong Newcastle local, Owen has been a proud member of Newcastle Golf Club since 1962, making history as the only member to compete at junior, senior, masters, and super senior levels. He has represented Newcastle, NSW, and Australia over a remarkable career, including two interstate series wins (1973–76), five appearances at both the NSW and Australian Opens, and winning the 2002 Australian Senior Championship. His impact was also recognised as the 1973 NSWMA Top Amateur and Newcastle Sportsman of the Year runner-up.

christie dawes

Wheelchair Racing

 

Christie Dawes is a seven-time Paralympian. Her Paralympic debut was at the 1996 Atlanta Games and competed at every games through to Tokyo 2020. Claiming multiple medals, including silver in the 4x100m relay in Beijing 2008, bronze in the 5000m T54 in London 2012, and silver in the 4x400m relay at Rio 2016. Two-time World Champion and former world record holder in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays, achieved in Birmingham, UK, in 1998. Christie is a former school teacher and currently works as an ABC Radio broadcaster, sports commentator, keynote speaker, Board Member of Athletics Australia and serves as Chair of Wheelchair Sports Australia. A mum of two, Christie continues to compete in the prestigious Marathon Majors circuit.

maddison elliot

Para Swimming

Maddison Elliott is a Paralympic swimming champion and world record holder. She made history at just 13 as Australia’s youngest Paralympic gold medalist at the London 2012 Games. Maddie went on to win multiple medals at Rio 2016 and has shone on the world stage with gold at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships. A Medal of the Order of Australia recipient.

scott westcott

Athletics

Scott Westcott has balanced an elite athletics career with a professional role in education since 1998, including a 10-year stint as the Hunter Regional Development Officer for Athletics NSW/Little Athletics NSW. His elite distance running career began with Australian representation at the 1998 Chiba International Relay in Japan and peaked with his dream run in the Rio 2016 Olympic Marathon. He placed 4th in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games Marathon and represented Australia at four World Championships. Locally, Scott has been involved with the Macquarie Hunter Athletics Club, founded the Newcastle Runners Athletics Club, coached distance running with the Hunter Academy of Sport, and currently works full-time at Hunter Sports High School managing their athletics program.