The photograph of AFLW player Tayla Harris in mid-kick that went viral after it was targeted by online trolls has been acknowledged with an inaugural award for women’s sports photography.
The image, captured by AFL photographer Michael Willson, took out the top prize in the Women in Sport Photo Action awards on Thursday after it became an influential image for change earlier this year.
Runner-up in the professional category: Sam Kerr in ‘Control’ by Luke Hemer.
“This image was chosen as the professional winner of the inaugural Wispaa because it perfectly captures the essence of women in sport performing at the highest level,” judge Louise Evans said.
Finalists in the professional category: Amanda Farrugia of the Giants is tackled by Emma Humphries in ‘Caught’ by Dan Himbrechts.
“It takes you into the mindset of AFLW player Tayla Harris and on a journey of skill, athleticism, power and determination. It captures that sweet moment in sport when everything falls into place, when amid all the drama and noise an athlete executes the perfect play.
“It’s beautiful, inspirational and a memorable winner.”
Runner-up in the professional category: Angela Foley of the Crows tackles Tegan Cunningham in ‘Clock Tackle’ by Daniel Pockett. Runner-up in the amateur category: Alisha Fong in ‘The Goal’ by Marcia Riederer.
The image of Harris was fiercely defended after the initial trolling and was widely shared online and printed on T-shirts. A silhouetted version was even used by the AFLW as an unofficial logo.
Michael Willson’s photograph of AFLW player Tayla Harris took out the top prize in the Women in Sport Photo Action awards.
Willson took out the professional category with Western Australian photographer Johan Schmidt winning the amateur category for his shot of rugby union player Sera Ah-Sam.
Amateur winner: Sera Ah-Sam and Tayla Stanford in ‘The Hit Up’ by Johan Schmidt. Runner-up in the amateur category: Alicia Eva fends off a tackle from Nat Exon in ‘Don’t Argue’ by David Layden.
A shot by Luke Hemer of Matildas captain Sam Kerr, playing for Perth Glory in the W-League, and one of the AFLW players Angela Foley and Tegan Cunningham tussling for the ball by Daniel Pockett, were runners-up in the professional category.
An image of underwater rugby players by Alisha Fong and David Layden’s shot of AFLW players Alicia Eva and Nat Exon grappling with each other took out the runner-up prizes in the amateur category.
