Women Sport Australia (WSA), the national advocacy body for women and girls in sport, are delighted to announce the winners for the 2026 Women in Sport Photo Action Awards.
NRLW, Water Polo, AFLW and Surfing have proved to be the most impressive images from the last 12 months across the Professional, Amateur, Female and People’s Choice categories.
Marina Neil has won her second Professional category title, with her capture of Jess Sergis mid-flight during the NRLW State of Origin. Neil says she “didn’t move” as she hoped she was in the right place at the right time to nab “Surging Sergis Soars”.
“I switched to my camera with the wide lens… [it was] a moment defined by athleticism and the desperate fight for every centimetre. [I was] hunched down to capture the moment, I didn’t move, hoping to capture something special of these athletes in action.”
Shane Tohl said the winning shot was one that “instantly grabbed the attention” of the judging panel.
“Marina has skilfully captured a chaotic moment in rugby league. Extreme athleticism and determination are on show in an image that instantly grabbed the attention of the judges. The image is composed really well, and your eye is lead around the picture, bringing life to a great action photo.”
Fred Etter’s gravity defying shot, “Sydney University NSW State Championships”, of Sydney University Water Polo athlete Anneliese Pamp was a clear winner for the judges. Michael Willson said this shot truly encapsulates what “WISPAA is about”.
“The pure power on display here really elevates this image to the next level. It encapsulates everything WISPAA is about - celebrating our female athletes with images amplifying strength and skill. The shape of the athlete, the muscle definition and the concentration on the face paints a compelling picture of the delicate play between strength and skill that water polo asks of its athletes."
Following their win in 2025 in the inaugural Female category win, Daisy Nitsch has snapped a consecutive victorious shot for the 2026 competition. Daisy’s shot, “Hangtime”, taken during the 2025 AFLW Premiership had all the elements that make a “truly exceptional sports photograph”, according to the judges.
Casey Sims said, “Photographing a multi-player tackle is incredibly challenging, but Daisy has perfectly captured the strength, athleticism and intensity of both the attacking and defending players in full flight. It brings together all the elements that make for a truly exceptional sports photograph."
Finally, the People’s Choice award went to Adam Crane’s jaw-dropping image of surfer Willow Hardy competing in the WSL Margaret River Pro.
“Wave of Consequence” was voted by 24% of the public vote as the clear winner. Crane said the crowd “had their hearts in their mouths as Willow took on this monster”, amongst her home town.
The judging panel of Michael Willson, Head of Photography at the AFL, Shane Tohl, Manager of Sporting Operations at Getty Images, Casey Sims, Media and Communications Officer at Oceania Athletics and Megan Hustwaite, sports journalist and MC looked at over 600 images before deciding on the top shots for 2026.
PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY, presented by Deloitte
WINNER: Marina Neil - “Surging Sergis Soars”
RUNNERS-UP: Ben Levy - “Eyes on the ball” and Quinn Rooney - “Moesha's Moment”
AMATEUR CATEGORY, presented by Nikon
WINNER: Fred Etter - “Sydney University NSW State Championships”
RUNNERS-UP: Elyse Hudson - “Eyes on the Ball” and Robert Artola - “Hit-up”
FEMALE CATEGORY, presented by Camera House
WINNER: Daisy Nitsch - “Hangtime”
RUNNERS-UP: Georgia Paul - “Leap over Kudratova” and Daisy Nitsch - “Pressure Point”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE CATEGORY, presented by The Female Athlete Project
WINNER: Adam Crane - “Wave of Consequence”
The winners were announced in Sydney at Quay Quarter Tower.
WISPAA 2026 is proudly supported by:
