The Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) network is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of current and former athletes who represented Australia at the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina.
From podium performances to historic milestones and breakthrough debuts, athletes with connections across the RAS network once again demonstrated the strength of regional pathways on the world stage.
Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) proudly recognised the achievements of Lauren Parker, who delivered a strong performance at the Winter Paralympics, competing in both Para Biathlon and Para Cross Country Skiing. Parker secured a top 10 finish in the Para Biathlon, placing 10th, and further cemented her place in Australian sporting history by becoming the first Australian Paralympian to serve as flag bearer at both the Summer and Winter Paralympics, a remarkable milestone that highlights her impact across multiple disciplines.
Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS) athletes delivered impressive results at the Winter Olympics, led by Matthew Graham, who claimed a bronze medal in the Dual Moguls, adding another Olympic podium to his distinguished career. Fellow CCAS athlete Abbey Willcox also showcased her talent on the world stage, reaching the finals in the Women’s Aerials, where she finished 10th. Willcox was also part of Australia’s Mixed Team Aerials team, which narrowly missed the podium to secure a strong fourth-place finish.
Southern Sports Academy (SSA) celebrated two athletes with academy connections who represented Australia at the Winter Paralympics. Liana France, a recent SSA athlete, made history as Australia’s youngest female Winter Paralympian at just 16 years of age. Competing in para-alpine skiing, France delivered an impressive debut, finishing 14th in the Giant Slalom and 15th in the Slalom, demonstrating significant promise for the future.
Also representing SSA was former athlete Josh Hanlon, who competed in para-alpine sit skiing at his second Paralympic Games. Hanlon recorded strong results across multiple events, finishing 9th in Slalom, 10th in Giant Slalom and 16th in Alpine Combined, continuing to build on his experience from the Beijing 2022 Paralympics.
Having multiple athletes from across the RAS network competing at both the Olympic and Paralympic level is a testament to the strength of regional sporting pathways and the impact of the academy system in developing high-performance athletes.
These achievements not only reflect individual dedication and resilience, but also highlight the role of coaches, support staff, families and local communities in nurturing talent across regional Australia.
The success of these athletes provides powerful inspiration for the next generation of emerging athletes within the RAS network. As the academies continue to support athlete development across a wide range of sports, performances on the world stage reinforce the importance of accessible, high-quality pathways for regional athletes pursuing excellence.
The Regional Academies of Sport congratulate all athletes who represented Australia at the 2026 Winter Games and look forward to supporting the continued growth of future representatives on the international stage.
