It was a big night for cricket at the 2026 NT Sports Awards, with six finalists heading into the evening and walking away with three winners.
Jake Weatherald took home the major prize, named NT Sportsperson of the Year after earning his place in the Australian Test team and making his debut on the biggest stage in cricket. The first born-and-raised Territorian to pull on the baggy green, Weatherald featured in all five matches of Australia's 4-1 Ashes series victory, posting a top score of 72 in the Second Test. For everyone in our cricket community who has watched the game grow in the Territory over the years, seeing one of our own open the batting for Australia is about as good as it gets. He adds his name to a list of Territory cricketers who have won the award, alongside D'Arcy Short, Kane Richardson and Shelley Nitschke.
The night also recognised Chrissie Ponter from Alice Springs, who took out Volunteer of the Year after being named Cricket Australia's national volunteer of the year in 2024-25. Her work building women's cricket structures in Central Australia, supporting the Imparja Cup and strengthening community cricket across the region.
Lachlan Dunemann rounded out cricket's winners, claiming Regional Performance of the Year for his achievements across cricket, AFL and darts. To perform at representative level across three completely different sports is a rare achievement, and within cricket alone Dunemann captained Tennant Creek in the Imparja Cup Originals fixture and led the Northern Territory at Cricket Australia's National Indigenous Cricket Championships.
We would also like to acknowledge Trent Keep, Robert Stewart and Mel Nixon, who were all finalists on the night. To have six representatives across the awards is something the whole Territory cricket community can take pride in.
Cricket in the Territory continues to grow, and the 2026 NT Sports Awards were a great reminder of the talent and dedication that runs right through our game. Congratulations to Jake, Chrissie and Lachlan.