10th February, 2026.
Caitlyn Halse is the winner of the Sportsperson of the Year at the 2026 Wollondilly Shire Council Australia Day Awards. Caitlyn has represented both New South Wales and Australia in the sport of Rugby Union and is a member of the Australian Women's Rugby Team The Wallaroos. Aged just 16 Caitlyn made her debut in the Super Rugby Women's competition and shortly after joined the Wallaroos, cementing her place as one of Australia's finest young athletes in the sport. Caitlyn is recognised as the youngest debutant in Wallaroos or Wallabies Test history, a milestone marked in May 2024, when she was selected at fullback against USA during the Pacific Four series. Caitlyn was nominated by World Rugby as a 2024 Breakout player of the year. Her impressive sporting career started aged 6 with the Picton Magpies, before discovering rugby union at age 8 where her natural ability cemented her future in the sport. Caitlyn is an inspiration for the youth of Wollondilly, showing that hard work and tenacity can lead to greatness. Playing at an elite level at a young age takes resilience and tenacity, and I congratulate Cailtyn on this well-deserved recognition.
