Over 70 young Indigenous athletes from 12 schools came together at Muswellbrook Indoor Sports Centre on Wednesday, 26 August, as Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) hosted its UAA Indigenous Talent Identification Day.
The event provided students with the opportunity to showcase their sporting potential, experience a high-performance environment and learn more about the development pathways available through the Academy.
Supported by major sponsors Underwriting Agencies Australia (UAA) and Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline, alongside the University of Newcastle and the NSW Office of Sport, the Indigenous Talent Identification Day aims to create more accessible sporting opportunities for young Indigenous athletes throughout the Hunter region.
This year’s attendance was the strongest recorded for the event in Muswellbrook, reflecting its continued growth and the increasing interest from schools and young athletes across the Upper Hunter region.
Throughout the day, participants took part in a series of Basketball and Netball activities designed to assess key attributes including speed, agility, coordination, movement and sport-specific skills.
Netball NSW supported the delivery of the Netball component, giving participants the opportunity to learn from experienced coaches and demonstrate their abilities in a structured talent identification environment.
For many of the athletes, the day offered more than the chance to test their sporting skills. It provided an opportunity to meet coaches and performance staff, connect with other young athletes and gain a greater understanding of what is required to progress through a high-performance sporting pathway.
Regional Manager for the Hunter Academy of Sport, Roxanne Wain, said the record attendance demonstrated the value of creating dedicated opportunities for young Indigenous athletes across the region.
“Talent exists in every community, but not every young athlete has the same access to development opportunities or a clear pathway to progress their sport,” Wain said.
“This day allows us to bring young athletes together in a supportive environment, identify their potential and introduce them to the opportunities available through the Hunter Academy of Sport.”
“To welcome 73 athletes from 12 schools is an outstanding result and our strongest attendance for this event to date. It demonstrates the enthusiasm of these young athletes and the importance of continuing to provide accessible talent identification opportunities throughout our region.”
“We want participants to leave the day feeling encouraged, connected and excited about where their sporting journey could take them.”
The Indigenous Talent Identification Day forms part of HAS’ broader commitment to supporting talented young athletes and providing equitable access to high-quality coaching, education and performance development opportunities.
HAS extends its thanks to the participating athletes, schools, families, coaches and event staff who contributed to the success of the day.
The Academy also acknowledges major sponsors UAA and Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline, as well as the University of Newcastle, the NSW Office of Sport and Netball NSW, for their support and shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young Indigenous athletes across the Hunter region.
