AUFQ Sportsperson of the Year 2025: Dina Victorri, A Driving Force in Australian Underwater Hockey
The Australian Underwater Federation Queensland is proud to announce Dina Victorri as the recipient of the AUFQ Sportsperson of the Year 2025, recognising her outstanding contributions to Australian underwater hockey at both elite and developmental levels.
Having lived and trained in Australia for the past six years, Dina has rapidly emerged as one of the country’s most influential athletes in the sport. Since joining the Australian Elite Women’s Underwater Hockey Squad in 2023, she has become a key figure in Australia’s high-performance pathway.
In 2025, Dina represented Australia at the 2025 CMAS Intercontinental Championship, where the national team secured a silver medal, a result that officially qualified Australia for the 2027 World Championships.
According to Russell Cox, President of AUFQ, Dina’s impact extends far beyond competition results.
“Dina represents exactly what we value in Australian sport” Cox said.
“She is an elite athlete performing consistently at the highest level, a proven leader within our state and national programs, and someone who actively gives back to the sport through coaching and mentorship.”
“This is why we are proud to recognise Dina as the AUFQ Sportsperson of the Year. The award acknowledges not only her achievements in high-performance competition, but the lasting contribution she is making to Australian underwater hockey.”
Leadership That Made History
At the state level, Dina’s leadership has already left a lasting mark. Appointed Captain of the Queensland Elite Women’s Team in 2023, she led the side to a historic gold medal at the 2024 Australian National Championships, Queensland’s first national title in 42 years.
In 2025, Dina again captained Queensland to a silver medal at the Australian Nationals on the Gold Coast, reinforcing her role as a consistent and trusted leader within Australia’s domestic high-performance environment.
“Dina’s leadership has been instrumental in raising standards across Queensland” Cox added.
“She leads by example, and her influence has had a tangible impact on performance, culture, and athlete development.”
Focused on the World Stage
With the 2027 World Championships on the horizon, Dina remains firmly focused on representing Australia once again. The Australian Elite Women’s team will arrive at the event as defending world champions, and Dina is currently deep in preparation as part of that long-term campaign.
“We’ve just come second at the Australian Nationals here on the Gold Coast, and captaining Queensland again was a real privilege” Dina said.
“Right now, my focus is on training hard and continuing my journey toward representing Australia at the World Championships in 2027.”
The event will be held in France, Dina’s country of birth, a detail that adds a unique dimension to her journey.
“France is where I was born, but Australia is home” she said.
“I feel deeply Australian, and I’m incredibly proud to train and compete for Australia”
Investing in Australia’s Future
Alongside her elite career, Dina has spent the past two years coaching the Queensland Under-19 Women’s team, contributing directly to the development of Australia’s next generation of athletes. Her involvement at both elite and junior levels reflects a long-term commitment to the sport and to strengthening Australia’s competitive future.
“Dina’s willingness to invest her time and knowledge into developing young athletes is incredibly valuable” Cox said.
“She is already shaping the future of the sport in Australia.”
A National Asset
The AUFQ Sportsperson of the Year award recognises individuals who elevate their sport through excellence, leadership, and service. Dina Victorri’s achievements from international qualification and historic state success to athlete development and coaching position her as a key contributor to Australia’s underwater hockey program.
As Australia builds toward the 2027 World Championships and beyond, Dina stands as a high-performance athlete whose influence extends well beyond the pool, strengthening pathways, inspiring future athletes, and contributing meaningfully to Australia’s international sporting success!
