The year 2025 delivered a spectacular mix of triumph, heartbreak, and sheer absurdity for sports fans across the Hunter region. From last-place finishes to fairytale cup runs and endorsements that defied belief, it was a season nobody could have predicted. We've sifted through the drama to present 25 entirely unofficial awards celebrating the wild, wacky, and woeful moments that defined the local sporting landscape.
Team Triumphs and Turmoil
It was a year of stark contrasts for the region's professional teams. The Newcastle Knights, crippled by injuries to key players, suffered a disastrous campaign, crashing to claim the NRL wooden spoon for a fifth time in the club's history. The fallout was swift, with coach Adam O'Brien losing his job after a controversial season.
In contrast, the Newcastle Jets provided a rare spark of joy for their long-suffering fans. Under new coach Mark Milligan, the club soared to its second piece of silverware, winning the Australia Cup after a 17-year drought. A thrilling extra-time victory over Heidelberg United in the final was celebrated by a strong travelling contingent, marking a historic moment for the A-League side.
On the local scene, dynasties continued to reign. The Maitland Pickers cemented their status as a powerhouse, securing a fourth consecutive Newcastle Rugby League premiership with a commanding 30-8 grand final win over Cessnock. Meanwhile, Wests Leagues Balance netball team, under coach Tracey Baggs, claimed a remarkable seventh straight Newcastle premier competition title, maintaining an unbeaten grand final record since 2017.
Stars, Rising Talents and Community Heroes
Individual brilliance shone through despite team struggles. Knights, NSW, and Jillaroos star Yasmin Clydsdale was hailed as the Sportswoman of the Year, embodying the tenacity and skill every team desires. With few other standout male performances in an non-Olympic year, Sydney Swans ace and Novocastrian Isaac Heeney flew the flag as Sportsman of the Year after another stellar AFL season.
The future looks bright with a crop of exciting Rising Stars. Newcastle Jets homegrown midfielder Will Dobson emerged as an A-League excitement machine, while 16-year-old pace bowler Caoimhe Bray took the WBBL by storm, including a hat-trick for the Sydney Sixers, with experts predicting a world-class future.
The awards also honour those who form the backbone of community sport. Local Hero honours went to Wallsend cricket scorer Jack Brown, who ended a legendary 41-year innings by recording every ball of Nathan Price's epic grand final double-century. The Feel Good Story of the year belonged to the Croudace Bay Mudcrabs, a Zone League Two football side that embarked on a magical Australia Cup run, beating higher-tier opponents before earning promotion.
The Truly Bizarre and Unforgettable
No year is complete without its head-scratching moments, and 2025 delivered in spades. The undisputed "What The F---" award went to Knights captain Kalyn Ponga for his endorsement of The BYO Bow – a mayonnaise-dispensing bow tie. The bizarre fashion-meets-condiment accessory, created by Hellmann's, left fans and teammates alike amused and confused.
In the "Gone Bananas" category, the shock decision by generational rugby league talent Jesse Southwell to leave her hometown Newcastle Knights for the Brisbane Broncos in 2026 stunned the local faithful.
Elsewhere, Denman's 19-year-old Rylan Gray earned the "In the Fast Lane" award, graduating from Hyundai Excels to win the Super2 series and secure a 2026 Supercars drive with DJR. Lake Macquarie's Rhiannan Iffland continued her global dominance, claiming a ninth straight world cliff diving championship to be crowned a premier Export.
The year also had its share of frustration, notably the "Time Out" award directed at the stalled $25 million Newcastle Basketball stadium project, which remains in limbo more than six years after funding was announced.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, 2025 proved that sport in the Hunter is never dull. These 25 awards capture the essence of a year where community spirit, individual brilliance, and occasional madness all played their part on the field, court, and pitch.
