Sport Australia reveal "The Don Award" nominees for 2015

Anna Meares is shortlisted after winning a record 11th track cycling world title ©Getty Images

Sport Australia have revealed the 12 nominees for the 2015 edition of The Don Award, with the winner set to be unveiled at their 31st Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala Dinner which is due to take place next month.

The award, named after legendary cricketer Sir Donald Bradman, honours a current Australian athlete whose achievements and the example they have set over the past 12 months have been seen to inspire the nation.

Among the nominees is two-time Olympic champion Anna Meares, who became the most successful female track cyclist in history when she secured her 11th career world title at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Track Cycling World Championships in February.

Emily Seebohm’s three golds at the International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, including the 100 metre and 200m backstroke double, has seen her nominated alongside wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley after he secured his fifth New York Marathon title.

New men’s golf number one Jason Day is also on the list following his maiden major win at the US PGA Championships, while ironman athletes Shannon Eckstein and Mirinda Carfrae are up for the award after their achievements of winning a seventh Australia Championship and third Hawaiian title respectively.

Surfers are prominent on the list of nominees as Sally Fitzgibbons' triumph at the Fiji Pro surf tournament, despite suffering from a perforate eardrum, sees her included alongside her compatriots Mick Fanning and Julian Wilson, whose bravery in facing a shark attack was displayed to the world on television.

The final individual on the list is Jarryd Hayne, whose transformation from rugby league star to American football player with the San Francisco 49ers has enthralled the nation, while Australia Diamonds netball are one of three teams considered following their triumph at the Netball World Cup.

Australia's one day cricket team are on the shortlist following their Cricket World Cup triumph ©Getty Images

Victory at the Asian Cup sees the men’s football team, nicknamed the Socceroos, nominated with the list completed by Australia’s one day cricket team after winning the Cricket World Cup, just months on from the death of batsman Phillip Hughes.

Sport Australia believe the candidates display the Hall of Fame’s values of courage, sportsmanship, integrity, persistence and excellence.

“Australia is renowned the world over for its rich sporting history and current day talent,” said John Bertrand, Sport Australia Hall of Fame chairman.

“As an Australian, I am exceptionally proud of the contributions made by these 12 athletes and teams, and feel privileged as chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame to be able to recognise their achievements in such an esteemed fashion.”

The shortlist will be narrowed down to four finalists ahead of the announcement of the winner at the Gala Dinner on October 21, 2015, with the event set to be held at the Palladium at Crown, Melbourne.

In addition to the winner of the award, eight Australian sporting greats will be entered into the Hall of Fame.