2022 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year Finalists Announced

Congratulations to the six Tasmanian athletes who have been named as the finalists for the 2022 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year.

This is testimony to the hard work and dedication they have shown to achieve some amazing results in their chosen sport.

The six finalists are:

  • Georgia Baker (cycling);
  • Joshua Beltz (hockey);
  • Eddie Ockenden (hockey);
  • Ariarne Titmus (swimming);
  • Matthew Wade (cricket); and
  • Henry Youl (rowing).

The six finalists dominated their disciplines at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, World Championships & World Cups, and judging will be based on athlete performances recorded during the period November 2021 – October 2022.

The winner of the 2020-2021 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year was Ariarne Titmus.

The 2022 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year will be announced at a special cocktail function on Wednesday 30 November 2022 and Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame members and a new inductee will also be recognised at this event.

Georgia Baker (cycling):

  • At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Georgia won three gold medals in the Teams Pursuit, Points Race and Road Race.
  • Georgia also earned a bronze medal at the 2022 World Road Championships in the Teams Time Trial and finished 8th in the Individual Time Trial.

Joshua Beltz (hockey):

  • Josh was a part of the Australian Men’s Hockey Team, the Kookaburras, who won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
  • The Kookaburras were undefeated during the tournament.

Eddie Ockenden (hockey):

  • Eddie co-captained the Kookaburras to gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and is the most capped Kookaburra of all time with 397 International Caps and tracking to hit 400 Caps in November 2022.

Ariarne Titmus (swimming):

  • Ariarne left Birmingham with 4 gold medals in the 200m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, 800m Freestyle and the 4x200m Freestyle Relay.
  • Ariarne set two new Commonwealth Games records in the 200m Freestyle and 4x200m Freestyle relay.

Matthew Wade (cricket):

  • Matthew was a part of the Australian team who won the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, this was Australia’s first World Cup and they went through the series undefeated.
  • Matthew finished the series with a batting average of 74.00 and a strike rate of 164.44.
  • He was named the Man of the Match in the Semi Final for his 41 not out off 17 balls.

Henry Youl (rowing):

  • Henry was part of the Men’s Eight that secured bronze at the 2022 World Rowing Championships.
  • Henry and the Men’s Eight crew also secured silver medals at both Rowing World Cup II and III.