Carlo Tizzano and Trilleen Pomare have been nominated as finalists for the prestigious SportWest WA Sport Star award announced on Thursday morning.
The WA rugby icons will both be part of the 12 finalists, with one to be named the winner at the 2025 WA Sport Awards on Thursday 26 February at Crown Perth.
Tizzano’s nomination comes after a bumper 2025 where he excelled for the Western Force and Wallabies, winning a number of Super Rugby accolades, including Rugby Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year.
Pomare’s nomination comes after a stellar year where she played at her third Rugby World Cup for the Wallaroos, before announcing her international retirement, and won the Force’s highest female individual honour, the Rebecca Clough medal.
Force CEO Niamh O’Connor said: “Speaking on behalf of the Club and rugby in WA, we’re so proud of both Carlo and Trilleen.
“With their achievements and passion for their state, they are fantastic examples for the next generation of WA rugby talent about how far you can go through the pathway. They’re deserving finalists for this truly Western Australian award.”
Tizzano is a proud Perth-born-and-bred Wallaby, who attended Hale School and Trinity College and come through the RugbyWA pathway, turning out the UWA in the Fortescue Premier Grade.
Among his achievements in 2025, Tizzano finished the leading try scorer with 13 in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. He also finished third in Super Rugby Pacific for tackles with 198.
Tizzano’s try haul saw him break the Force Club record for most tries in a single season and the competition record for most tries by a forward in a single season.
The Western Australian openside flanker’s fan favouritism saw him voted the Force Members’ MVP award for the second straight season.
He was part of the Wallabies’ series against the British & Irish Lions and took his international caps tally to 14, being part of Australia’s Rugby Championship and Northern Tour.
Pomare was born in Auckland but moved to Perth in her teenage years and has since made the city home.
She’s established herself as the heart and soul of WA rugby, missing only one game in the Force’s Super W existence and captaining the side for five straight seasons. Pomare plays regularly for Wanneroo when available and recently featured in the new North vs South Women’s Series, with the trophy named after her, the Pomare Shield.
The inside-centre enjoyed an excellent 2025 Super W season where she scored two tries for the Force, leading the side to the semi-finals as skipper. She was among the elite in Super W for tackles, including 57 tackles and six dominant tackles.
Pomare went on to feature for the Wallaroos throughout 2025 and was selected for her third Rugby World Cup in August and September, where she played three games.
Following the event, Pomare announced her international retirement following a career that spanned 43 caps – the second most in Wallaroos history.
The other finalists already announced are Katelyn Smith (soccer), Tristan Schoolkate (tennis), Zac Littlewood (sailing), Kyle Lee (swimming), Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (netball) and Alana King (cricket).
