Homegrown Rugby legends, Trilleen Pomare and Carlo Tizzano, have been nominated for the 2026 WA Sports Star Award at the WA Sports Awards.
Both beginning their Rugby Union journeys at local WA clubs, Trilleen and Carlo have climbed through the ranks, from participating in state representative pathways through to competing for the country in international competition.
Announced this morning, both players have been recognised as some of Western Australia's top sporting talent, being listed as finalists for the 2025 WA Sports Star at the WA Sports Awards. This Award recognises the outstanding achievements of local athletes throughout the year, acknowledging the talent, dedication and performance needed to succeed at a high level.
“It’s incredible to see two Rugby Union stars from our local pathways be acknowledged at this year’s WA Sports Awards,” RugbyWA CEO, Simon Taylor, shared.
“With both Trilleen and Carlo having carved their path through the WA rugby ecosystem, through our state representative pathways and through to the national level, their success is a proud moment for the entire WA rugby community and a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, commitment and strong development pathways. It’s incredibly rewarding to see local products thrive, and we’re so proud to see them both nominated for WA Sports Star.”
A cornerstone of the RugbyWA community and a leader on the national stage, 2025 marked Trilleen Pomare’s third Rugby World Cup campaign with the Wallaroos, further cementing her legacy in Australian rugby.
From her consistent presence in the Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade, to captaining the Western Force in SuperW, to becoming one of the most capped players in Wallaroos history, Trilleen’s influence spans every level of the game. Her rugby journey began with the Wanneroo Divaz in the state’s top women’s competition, after a nudge from her Touch Rugby coach inspired a switch of codes. She later spent a number of seasons with Kalamunda Districts before returning to Wanneroo, where she continues to be a driving force. She currently sits at 99 club caps for the Divaz.
Trilleen has represented Western Australia extensively, including Perth Gold in its various forms and multiple Senior Women’s Sevens campaigns at national level for RugbyWA.
In 2018, just one year after making her Wallaroos debut at the Rugby World Cup, she was named the inaugural captain of the Western Force Women’s team - a role she continues to hold. Her incredible performance in the 2025 season for the Force saw her earn the 2025 Rebecca Clough Medal, recognising her excellence and talent in her ninth year of professional rugby.
In 2025, she achieved the remarkable milestone of representing Australia at her third Rugby World Cup, adding to an already outstanding career of 43 international Test caps for the Wallaroos. At the 2025 World Cup in England, Trilleen took to the field for three of the four matches played by the Wallaroos, against the USA, England and Canada. Trilleen announced her retirement from International Rugby in October 2025, capping off an incredible career as a Wallaroo, scoring 15 international points and making a lasting impact on the game for WA players.
Carlo Tizzano is a true product of the WA system, whose journey from local junior to international flanker reflects resilience, ambition, and deep connection to his home.
Born and bred in Perth, Carlo’s rugby story began in the suburbs of Wembley, where playing for UWA Rugby Club and at schools such as Trinity College and Hale laid the foundation for a remarkable rise through the ranks.
Carlo’s first experience with RugbyWA came with the Junior Gold State 15s, and he went on to represent WA at U15 and U17 levels before earning selection in both the WA and Australian Schoolboys teams and the Australian U20s. From there, his dedication saw him secure a contract with the Western Force through the RugbyWA Academy, and he technically debuted for the franchise in 2019 as part of their NRC Grand Final–winning side. After spending a number of seasons interstate and abroad developing his game, Carlo returned back to the Force in 2023.
In 2025, Carlo’s outstanding form for the Western Force saw him finish as the top try scorer in the Super Rugby competition, while also making history as the most prolific try-scoring Forward in Super Rugby history. His exceptional season was recognised with both the Smarttech Super Rugby Player of the Year Award from Rugby Australia, and the Western Force Members’ MVP Award, acknowledging his leadership, consistency, and impact throughout the year.
Having received his first Wallabies call-up in 2024, Carlo has since earned 12 Test caps and scored 7 international tries, proudly representing Australia and continuing to showcase the strength of Western Australian rugby on the world stage.
The winner of the WA Sports Star Award will be announced at the 2025 WA Sports Awards on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
