business - 2026-11-03

Newport's Jemma Smith named NSW Athlete of the Year finalist

Source: www.surflifesaving.com.au

Newport SLSC's Jemma Smith has been named a finalist for Athlete of the Year at the 2026 NSW Sport Awards, putting the Northern Beaches competitor in contention for a statewide honour across sports. Smith joins fellow surf lifesaving athletes Dane Sutton and Paul Lemmon OAM among the finalists heading to the NSW Champions of Sport ceremony in Sydney on 23 November.

Newport SLSC's Jemma Smith has been named a finalist for Athlete of the Year at the 2026 NSW Sport Awards, putting the Northern Beaches competitor in contention for a statewide honour across sports. Smith joins fellow surf lifesaving athletes Dane Sutton and Paul Lemmon OAM among the finalists heading to the NSW Champions of Sport ceremony in Sydney on 23 November. The nomination follows Smith's second consecutive NSW Athlete of the Year win at the Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence in August. This time, she is being considered beyond surf lifesaving, with three-time Olympic paddle champion Jess Fox OAM also named in the Athlete of the Year category. The awards bring together 77 finalists from more than 30 sports across 12 categories. They recognise achievements over the past year by athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and sporting organisations, placing Smith's nomination within a broader field of NSW sporting achievement. Wanda SLSC's Sutton is a finalist for Young Athlete of the Year after winning multiple medals at the 2026 NSW and Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. Terrigal SLSC's Lemmon, a repeat NSW Masters Athlete of the Year winner, is also in...