The Regional Academies of Sport Academy Challenge has wrapped up another successful year, bringing together more than 300 playing and umpiring athletes, supported by more than 70 coaches and umpire coaches from across NSW.
Hosted by the Illawarra Academy of Sport and Netball NSW in Wollongong, the 2026 Academy Challenge provided an important opportunity for athletes to compete against some of the best emerging talent from across the Regional Academies of Sport network, while also creating valuable development opportunities for coaches, umpires and the broader Academy workforce.
The program continues to grow, with this year’s event featuring the largest Talent Identification and Coach Mentoring workforce to date, with 15 Netball NSW workforce members involved across the weekend.
The workforce program provides an opportunity for coaches and officials to develop their skills while supporting the identification and development of emerging talent across the Academy pathway.
Regional Academies of Sport CEO Brett O’Farrell said the continued growth of the Academy Challenge demonstrated the value of bringing athletes, coaches and officials together through the event.
“The Academy Netball Challenge has become an important part of the Regional Academies of Sport calendar, not only for the athletes competing, but for everyone involved in developing the next generation of talent.
“To see more than 300 athletes, more than 70 coaches and umpire coaches, and our Talent ID and Coach Mentoring workforce come together is a fantastic reflection of how the event continues to grow.
Division 1
South West Sydney Academy of Sport 1 claimed the Division 1 title, finishing ahead of Sydney Teal and Sydney Blue.
- South West Sydney 1
- Sydney Teal
- Sydney Blue
- Central Coast 1
- Hunter 1
- Western Sydney 2
- Western Region 1
- Sydney Purple
- Illawarra 1
- North Coast 1
- Western Sydney 1
- Southern 1
Division 2
Sydney Yellow finished on top of Division 2, followed by Hunter 2 and Southern 2.
- Sydney Yellow
- Hunter 2
- Southern 2
- Illawarra 2
- Far West
- North Coast 2
- South East 1
- Central Coast 2
- Western Region 2
- South West Sydney 2
- Northern Inland
- South East 2
Congratulations to the athletes and officials recognised throughout the tournament:
- Division 1 MVP: Bowey Manning – Hunter Academy of Sport
- Division 2 MVP: Ella Beckett – Sydney North Academy
- Player of the Tournament: Arijana Strickland – South West Sydney Academy of Sport
- Umpire of the Tournament: Ava Kuwert – North Coast Academy of Sport
- C Badge: Maddison Connole – Northern Inland Academy of Sport
B Badge recipients:
- Mason Cadogan – Hunter Academy of Sport
- Chloe Ranger – Hunter Academy of Sport
- Emily Mengel – North Coast Academy of Sport
- Ruby Cramp – North Coast Academy of Sport
- Keira Vo – South West Sydney Academy of Sport
- Madeline Mitchell – Western Sydney Academy of Sport
- Grace Baines – Western Sydney Academy of Sport
- Ava Cummings – South East Sports Academy
- Emily George – Western Region Academy of Sport
- Lilly Hockley – Western Region Academy of Sport
- Ella Jackson – Sydney North Academy
The Illawarra Academy of Sport has led the delivery of the Academy Challenge for the past two years, investing significant time and effort into ensuring the continued success and growth of the event. Their commitment, together with the support of Netball NSW, has helped provide athletes, coaches and umpires with a high-quality competition and development experience.
