Errol Gulden has capped off a stellar 2023 by taking out Young Athlete of the Year at the 2023 NSW Sports Awards.

The achievement comes after the 21-year-old earned his first Bob Skilton Medal as the Sydney Swans Club Champion, and finished fourth in the Brownlow Medal, polling more votes in a season than any Swans player in club history. Gulden was also selected in the All Australian team, and voted Paul Kelly Player’s Player by his teammates.

The damaging left-footed midfielder is fast becoming feared by opposition defences, averaging 27 disposals, five tackles and a goal in season 2023. 

The former Maroubra Saints junior and UNSW-ES senior player is quick to acknowledge his coaches and mentors through his formative years in the AFL Sydney competition. He also had a long tenure in QBE Sydney Swans Academy which played a large role shaping him from a young talent to elite superstar.

"Thank you to NSW Sport and all those involved, it's a massive honour to win this award, I'm very grateful," said Gulden.

"Thank you so much to my coaches, family, and everyone who has supported me this year. It's been a really enjoyable year and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in and seeing what the 2024 season holds."

"Congratulations to all the other award recipients."

Gulden is also a Diversity Talent Ambassador for AFL NSW/ACT, often working with First  Nations and multicultural youth talent to help improve their football and turn them into leaders off the field.

Four-time canoe world champion, Jessica Fox, was named 2023 Valour Sport NSW Athlete of the Year.