Sporting Hall of Fame
There's something in the water in Wagga Wagga.
The city of good sports
The Sporting Hall of Fame was established in 1993 by Wagga Wagga City Council to honour the exceptional achievements of local athletes who have reached the highest levels in their chosen sports. With inductees who have competed in everything from AFL, NRL and cricket to orienteering, sailing and cycling it reflects the sheer breadth of sporting talent Wagga Wagga has produced.
Induction recognises more than talent on the field. It's also a way of acknowledging each inductee's role in shaping Wagga Wagga's reputation as the City of Good Sports and their impact on the community.
Inductees have included some of Australian sport's biggest names including cricket captain Mark Taylor, soccer great Sally Shipard, AFL legend Paul Kelly, and Olympic representatives across multiple codes.
Celebrating Local Legends
Behind every sporting great is a community that built them, which is why the Local Legend category exists alongside the Sporting Hall of Fame.
The Local Legends category honours the athletes, coaches, administrators, volunteers and coordinators whose sustained dedication has shaped local sport over the years. The people who keep clubs running, juniors coached and competitions on the calendar, as well as the players who built long, successful careers locally and became fixtures of the community.
While the Sporting Hall of Fame is limited to athletes who reached elite levels, Local Legend status honours a different kind of dedication, years of effort, often without a headline, that shaped clubs, inspired others and left a lasting mark on local sport.
Local Legend inductees are honoured at the same ceremony and within the same Hall of Fame, recognising that a city full of good sports needs more than just elite performers. It needs the coaches, volunteers, administrators and loyal local athletes who showed up year after year to make it all possible.
A curated selection of memorabilia from Hall of Fame inductees is on display at the Museum of the Riverina's Botanic Gardens site.
Nominations
Nominations for the Sporting Hall of Fame and Local Legend categories are open from July 1 to July 31, 2026. You can find out more about the nomination process below.
To be eligible, nominees to the Sporting Hall of Fame category must have represented Australia (or an equivalent level where international representation is unavailable) in an open or senior capacity, whether as an athlete, coach, referee, or umpire. Additional criteria include a strong local connection through birth or long-term participation, support from relevant sporting associations, and, generally, retirement from elite-level competition.
Please ensure you read the full Sporting Hall of Fame Selection Criteria (PDF, 149.8 KB) before submitting your nomination.
Nominees to the Local Legend category may have served as players, coaches, managers, officials, or administrators. Selection is based on long and meritorious service, outstanding personal achievements, and their role in the growth and development of sport within the city.
In addition to sporting contributions, nominees will be assessed on their integrity, sportsmanship, and character.
Please ensure you read the full Sporting Hall of Fame Selection Criteria (PDF, 149.8 KB) before submitting your nomination.
Check out the collection!
A curated selection of memorabilia from Hall of Fame inductees is on display at the Museum of the Riverina's Botanic Gardens site.