Costa named Peter Norman Humanitarian Award winner

LONG-time Geelong-based athletics coach Anula Costa has been named the 2025 recipient of the Peter Norman Humanitarian Awards by Australian Athletics.

Announced on Peter Norman Day (October 9) as Australia remembers the legendary sprinter, the Humanitarian Award is given to a figure in the Australian athletics community who exemplifies Norman’s spirit by their work in human rights, equality, philanthropy or humanitarian fields.

Costa has used her coaching platform to help underprivileged or disabled athletes, mentoring them far beyond the track. Her influence includes coaching Kelly Cartwright, a Paralympic gold medallist, empowering paralympic athletes on an international scale through Active Sri Lanka, and mentoring Indigenous sprinter Telaya Blacksmith to her Paralympic debut in 2024.

“Receiving this award is such a surprise and a shock. I am so emotional,” Costa said.

“This is such a humble award and I am very proud to accept it. I was a very close friend of Peter Norman’s after being selected to the 1999 Olympics Academy for officials and coaching, and since then, Peter and I were greatly connected through athletics and friendship. Receiving an award in his honour has made my day and my life in Australia with the sport I love.”

Costa’s philosophy has always been to use athletics as a tool for empowerment which in turn builds confidence, resilience and community in those who may otherwise have been left behind.

“When I read the words about what this award stands for, I thought ‘Yes, this is what I’ve tried to do’,” she said.

“I’ve tried to support and uplift people’s lives, not only in athletics but in every community – refugee backgrounds, Indigenous backgrounds, Sri Lankan athletes, women in sport. It makes me proud to know I have done this.

“For me, coaching is life coaching. It’s about more than medals. It’s about making sure athletes leave training with happiness, with learning and a sense of caring for one another. If they walk out with a smile, that makes me happy.”

Australian Athletics will make a donation to Costa’s nominated cause, the Australian Prostate Centre – a cancer treatment centre and cause close to the heart of her dear friend Norman.