In recognition of a career that spanned three Olympic Games, Mathew Helm has been inducted into the Sport NSW Hall of Champions.

At a gala awards ceremony held at Sydney’s International Convention Centre, Helm was one of five NSW sports greats inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions. They include,  John Forbes (Yachting), Heather Garriock (Football), Brett Lee (Cricket) and David Palmer, OAM (Squash). Seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley AO, was also elevated to NSW legend status. 

One of Australia’s most decorated divers, Helm won medals at Olympic and Commonwealth Games, World Championships, diving Grand Prix’s, and World Cups. 

He made his Olympics debut at Sydney, but it was the Athens Games in 2004 and the silver medal that he won in the Men’s 10m Platform that placed him in the history books. It was the first individual medal won by an Australian male diver since Dick Eve’s gold medal at Paris in 1924.

At the same Games and along with diving partner Robert Newbery, Helm also won bronze in the Men’s 10m Synchronised Platform.

Competing at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, Helm won a gold medal in the 10m Platform and again partnered with Robert Newbery in the synchronised event where the pair won gold.  

He also won a gold, silver and bronze medal at World Aquatics Championships, eight Grand Prix golds, and two silver and a bronze at World Cups.

Upon his retirement as an athlete, Helm set his sights on coaching where he is a National Coach for Diving Australia where he continues to make a positive impact on the next generation of athletes and coaches.

NSW Hall of Champions Committee Chair, Alan Whelpton AO, said the accomplishments of the five inductees during their distinguished careers earned them worthy selection.

“The five inductees John Forbes, Heather Garriock, Mathew Helm, Brett Lee, and David Palmer are recognised for their outstanding sports careers which saw them reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport. They represented their country, state, sport, and themselves with distinction and inspired a new generation of athletes to follow in their footsteps.”

Sport NSW Chief Executive, Stuart Hodge, paid tribute to the five new inductees.

“We welcome John, Heather, Mathew, Brett and David into the Hall of Champions. They join other NSW sports greats who have served NSW and Australian sport with honour and distinction,” added Hodge.

The Sport NSW Awards Night also celebrated NSW top performing athletes of the year with High Diving World Aquatics Champion Rhiannon Iffland named as one of five finalists for Athlete of the Year.