Australia’s diving community came together on Saturday night for the 2025 Diving Australia Awards Night, celebrating a year of remarkable performances, emerging talent, and the dedicated individuals who continue to strengthen and elevate the sport nationwide and internationally.

The highest honour for athletes, Female and Male Diver of the Year, saw two of the DA’s outstanding performers recognised for their exceptional seasons.

In an extraordinary year on the international stage, Ellie Cole is the 2025 Female Diver of the Year. After a breakout performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she placed seventh in the Women’s 10m Platform, Cole continued her rise with gold medals in both the 10m individual and synchro platform events at the American Cup. She went on to secure junior national titles and claimed the 2025 Australian Open 10m Platform Championship. Now studying engineering at Stanford University in the USA, Cole is embracing the balance of elite sport and academic excellence as she continues her upward trajectory.

Meanwhile renowned superstar of the diving pool, Cassiel Rousseau was awarded Male Diver of the Year following a historic season in which he became the first Australian diver to win back-to-back 10m platform World Championship titles. Rousseau’s consistency across World Cup events — in both individual and synchronised disciplines — cemented his position as one of the world’s leading platform divers. Beyond competition, his contributions to the Athlete Committee highlight his leadership and commitment to shaping the future of the sport.

Recognising excellence in coaching, the Coach of the Year award was presented to Edwin Jongejans, celebrated for his technical expertise, high-performance leadership, and his ongoing impact in guiding athletes to success on the national and global stage.

The night also acknowledged the Diving Australia’s rising stars, with Jonah Mercieca named Emerging Athlete of the Year for his rapid progress and promising results, and South Australian coach Lily Fast honoured as Emerging Coach of the Year for her energy, positivity, and the significant influence she has already had on her young athletes.

Colloquially known as the GOAT of high diving, Rhiannan Iffland was awarded High Diver of the Year, after securing her fifth consecutive world title at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Her precision, bravery, and unwavering composure at the incredible height of 22 metres continue to set her apart as one of the world’s greatest high divers.

The prestigious Nathan Meade Award was presented to Georgia Sheehan, who exemplified resilience, excellence, and integrity throughout a challenging season. After narrowly missing Olympic qualification, Sheehan shared her emotional journey publicly and continued to lead by example in training and competition, becoming a powerful role model for divers across the country.

In a peer-voted honour, Maddison Keeney claimed the Athletes’ Athlete Award for a second consecutive year, recognised by her teammates for her dedication, work ethic, and positive, supportive presence within the National Squad.

The Awards Night also celebrated the foundational contributors who shape the sport behind the scenes. Wayde Masters was inducted as a Life Member for more than 40 years of tireless volunteer service, earning the affectionate title of the “Voice of Diving in Australia” for his passion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment.

The CEO Award for Outstanding Achievement was presented to Lisa Wright, a former international diver and highly respected official who has judged at four World Championships, two Commonwealth Games, and the Tokyo Olympics, and now leads Diving Queensland as CEO.

The Diving Australia Values Award, nominated by the national membership, was awarded to Sue Milford for her lifelong contribution to making diving accessible and community focused. Whitney Michael received Volunteer of the Year for her exceptional support of Diving WA programs and events, while Eliza Cole was recognised as Official of the Year for her integrity, international judging experience, and her role in mentoring emerging officials.

At a community level, the contributions of grassroots programs were celebrated through Community Coach of the Year recipient Brodie Scapens, recognised for his role in developing and inspiring the next generation of divers, and PLC Sydney, which was named Community Club/Program of the Year for its inclusive, high-quality program under Head Coach Michelle Olsson.

The 2025 Diving Australia Awards Night once again highlighted the strength, resilience, and passion within the Australian diving community. From world-class performances to the volunteers and officials who support every step, the evening celebrated the achievements that continue to push the sport forward and inspire the next generation of divers.