Former Bull Sharks player Caitlyn Costello has been named Sportsperson of the Year at the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards for her achievements in rugby and leadership in the Australian Defence Force.
The awards recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations across Australia.
An Indigenous woman of Larrakia heritage through her father, with additional Argun and Arabana ancestry, Ms Costello was born in Darwin and raised in Humpty Doo.
She went on to study at Bond University where she played rugby for the Bull Sharks.
Ms Costello played a key role in the Bull Sharks' historic 2021 AON Women's Uni7s national championship victory, when Bond defeated Griffith University 29-7 in the final to claim their first national title.
She was also named UniSport Australia's Most Outstanding Sporting Performance by an Indigenous Student-Athlete and was named the Bull Sharks' 2021 Sevens Player of the Year.
The Leading Aircraftwoman joined the Royal Australian Air Force and quickly established herself as a leader.
In 2025, she was selected for the ADF Women's Rugby Union Team and appointed co-captain for the International Defence Rugby Competition in England.
Her performances at the competition earned her both the Most Valuable Player and Players' Player awards.
Costello continues to balance elite sport with full-time military service while pursuing a Bachelor of Business.