Four Australian Paralympic stars and an Afghanistan war veteran are among the finalists for the Sir Roden Cutler Award to recognise athletes with a disability.
Four-time Paralympian Ryley Batt was a member of the Australian wheelchair rugby team which picked up its second consecutive gold medal in Rio last year and mentors young people with disabilities.
Champion sailor Matt Bugg, who picked up a silver medal at the Rio Paralympics, coaches sailors with disabilities in Tasmania.
Carol Cooke won her third Paralympic cycling gold medal in Rio and is also behind the MS 24 Hour Megaswim which has raised over $7 million for people living with Multiple Sclerosis since 2001.
Gold medal-winning Paratriathlete Katie Kelly, who has the degenerative condition Usher's Syndrome, founded the Sport Access Foundation to provide grants for disabled people in sport.
Also in the running for the award, which is given by the Primary Club, is Michael Lyddiard, an Afghanistan war veteran who after being severely injured in the line of duty competed in triathlons, cycling and distance swimming.
Australian cricket commentator and Primary Club president Jim Maxwell said the finalists were an inspiration for people with a disability, as well as the broader community.
"What makes these five athletes worthy of being finalists in the Sir Roden Cutler award is their sporting accomplishments, their sheer determination to overcome their challenges and their tireless efforts to encourage other people living with a disability that they too can reach their dreams," Maxwell said.
The winner will be announced during a dinner at the SCG on Thursday night with a $20,000 grant for sporting equipment to be given to an organisation of their choice.
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