29/07/2025
Top 5 Finalists – NAIDOC Youth Sportsperson Award
These five outstanding young athletes are making their mark in sport while staying grounded in culture, community, and leadership. From state and national competitions to mentoring the next generation, they show that success is about more than talent — it’s about pride, perseverance, and lifting others as you rise. Each finalist represents the strength, discipline, and cultural spirit of Blak excellence in sport.
Shaylee Haines
Shaylee is a proud Aboriginal woman excelling in rugby league, touch football, and Oztag. Recently selected for South Sydney Rabbitohs U19s Tasha Gale Cup, she is a respected, multi-code athlete known for her work ethic and discipline. Shaylee united diverse peer groups as a key leader at the Awabakal Debutante Ball, admired for her maturity, cultural pride, and role modeling. Her strong presence in sport and community leadership highlights her as an inspiring figure with a promising career.
Aaliyah Kilroy
At 16, Aaliyah is a rising Aboriginal football star.
Starting in boys' teams at Edgeworth Eagles, she progressed through Lake Macquarie Skill Acquisition to Newcastle Jets Academy Under 23s.
She's been selected for Northern NSW National Championships and the 2023 Emerging Matildas Invitational XI. Aaliyah coaches the Indigenous Community Cup U14s, plays for Northern NSW Indigenous Women's and Newcastle All Stars, and was 2024 NAIDOC Cup Player of the Tournament.
She balances elite sport with school and an apprenticeship, inspiring Indigenous girls and shaping a legacy of pride and inclusion.
Ellazae Elers
Ellazae is a standout young Worimi athlete excelling across netball, rugby league, union, AFL, 7s, and touch football. A Hunter Sports High Academy student, she's a leader on multiple representative teams and a mentor to younger players. She's part of cultural groups including Winanga-y Dreaming and Minimbah Dance, winning Dance Rites 2024 and performing at Yabun Festival and the 2025 NRL Indigenous All Stars Game.
Despite personal loss, Ellazae's resilience and commitment to sport, education (via Big Picture program), and community inspire many. Her extensive accolades include leadership roles in state and national teams, and she balances elite sport with cultural responsibilities and mentoring. She exemplifies
Aboriginal excellence through performance, leadership, and community contribution.
Kulan Parry
Kulan is a proud young Aboriginal athlete excelling in rugby and athletics. A local talent, he's a humble, respectful competitor who carries his culture with pride. Kulan has scored over 100 points for Wests and NAB U15s two years running and plays rugby union a year above his age for Wanderers. His achievements include winning rugby 7s with NAB and Hunter Wildfires, trialling for NSW Waratahs U16s at 14, representing Parramatta Two Blues at State Championships, and selection for NSW Country Black Cockatoos in 2025. As a sprinter, he ranks 4th fastest nationally in the 100m and 200m for his age. Kulan is a role model showing what's possible through hard work, culture, and self-belief.
Chayse McFadyen
Chayse is a proud Aboriginal Year 11 student at Hunter Sports High balancing elite football with leadership. A Newcastle Jets Academy player and Emerging Socceroos selectee, he has excelled at national championships and earned Player of the Tournament at the 2022 NAIDOC Cup. As assistant coach at Tilligery United FC, Chayse mentors youth, demonstrating strong leadership and community commitment. He manages elite training, school, and coaching with maturity and aims to progress to professional football while inspiring Aboriginal youth.
