Airdate: 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame

Seven will screen Sporting Heroes and Legends: A Celebration of the 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame special in early December.

Eight new inductees were recently announced. Six are inducted as athlete members and the other two  as general members for their contribution to sports administration.

Four-time Olympian and dual-gold cycling medallist Anna Meares; two-time world 400m hurdles champion Jana Pittman; former Australian soccer captain and two-time Olympian – part of the Olyroos team at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics – Mark Viduka; 12-time Paralympian and winner of nine gold medals, Libby Kosmala; Olympic hockey gold medallist Jamie Dwyer; former Australian women’s cricket captain and ICC Player of the Year, Karen Rolton; four-time Olympian and sport administrator Steve Moneghetti; and eight-time Olympic water polo player and coach, Tom Hoad.

“The Hall of Fame forms a Who’s Who of Australia’s sporting greats,” said John Bertrand, Chair of Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

“Being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of Australian sport – one can go no higher.”

The special features interviews with some of sport’s biggest names, including the 2021 Hall of Fame inductees and the winners of The Don Award and the inaugural The Dawn Award.

The result of a public vote for the News Corp Magic Moment will also be revealed on the night. This will determine the most significant Sport Australia Hall of Fame moment from a shortlist of 20 outstanding Australian sporting moments throughout the past 60 years.

This is set to screen on Thursday December 2 following The Front Bar on Seven.

Anna Meares OAM (Cycling) SA
Anna Meares is widely regarded as one of the greatest track cyclists Australia has ever produced, having won 11 world championships and six Olympic medals, including two gold, over a 14-year cycling career. At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Meares’ last, she was the Australian flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony and served as the Australian team captain. Her bronze medal in Rio made her the first Australian athlete from any sport to win an individual medal at four consecutive Olympic Games.

Jana Pittman (Athletics) NSW
Jana Pittman made Australian Olympic history by becoming the first female – and second athlete overall – to compete at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. She represented Australia in athletics at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and the Athens 2004 Olympics before switching to bobsleigh at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Pittman won two 400m hurdles world championships during her career, her first in 2003 at age 20, making her the youngest world champion in history, and her second in 2007, eight months after giving birth to her first child.

Jamie Dwyer OAM (Hockey) WA
Jamie Dwyer is one of the nation’s greatest hockey players. He competed at four Olympic Games and was a member of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games gold-medal team which broke the drought to win the Olympic gold for the Kookaburras for the first time. Dwyer dominated on the world stage with the Australian team over a 16-year career, winning gold in two World Cups, three Commonwealth Games and six Champions Trophies.

Karen Rolton (Cricket) VIC
Karen Rolton was a prolific run-scorer and consistent wicket-taker in Test, ODI and T20 cricket throughout her career. The former Australian captain was the inaugural winner of the ICC Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2006, player of the tournament in Australia’s 2005 World Cup win, and the third female to be inducted into the ICC and Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. In all, she scored 1002 runs at an average of 55.66 in 14 Tests, 4814 runs at 48.14 in 141 ODIs and 405 runs at 50.62 in 15 T20s, as well as claiming 102 wickets across all three formats.

Libby Kosmala OAM (Para Shooting) SA
Libby Kosmala attended 12 consecutive Summer Paralympic Games from Heidelberg in 1972 through to the Rio in 2016. This phenomenal achievement earned her a total of 13 medals, including nine gold. Kosmala became involved in wheelchair sports in the 1960s as an administrator providing opportunities to others. By 1966, she had switched to competing and made her Paralympic Games debut in 1972. As an air rifle competitor she was Australia’s oldest representative at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, and became the oldest Paralympian overall at both the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics. She was also Australia’s flag bearer for the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in 1996.

Mark Viduka (Football) Europe
Mark Viduka captained the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup, the only time they progressed to the second round. He represented Australia 43 times, scoring 11 goals, and enjoyed a highly successful European career, playing 361 matches and scoring 162 goals for Dinamo Zagreb, Celtic, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United. He was named the Professional Footballers Australia Alex Tobin OAM Medal winner in 2011 and is a member of the Football Federation of Australia Hall of Fame.

Steve Moneghetti AM (Sports Administration) VIC
Steve Moneghetti has made an extraordinary contribution to sports administration and the promotion of athletes’ welfare. A four-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medal marathon runner, he is known for his selfless contribution, not only to athletics, but also to numerous other sports disciplines, which has left an indelible mark on Australian sport. He has held numerous roles, ranging from captain of the Australian athletics team to Chef De Mission at three Commonwealth Games, and administrative positions that have helped to provide better facilities and greater support for athletes.

Tom Hoad AM (Sports Administration and Coach) WA
Tom Hoad has made a great contribution to water polo through administration and coaching. His commitment was so deeply ingrained that he was fittingly bestowed with the nickname “Mr Water Polo”. As a player and coach, he represented Australia at eight Olympic Games. His extraordinary service to the sport as a player, team leader, coach and long-time administrator spanned six decades. Hoad’s work as an administrator and advocate for athletes across numerous sports proved every bit as ground-breaking and influential as his water polo career.

Induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is reserved for the best of the best. Nominations are received via the SAHOF website. Each year the selection committee selects up to eight new inductees.

Thursday December 2 on Seven.