Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) are making a powerful impact across the NSW sporting landscape in 2025, with an extraordinary presence among the finalists of the prestigious Sport NSW – NSW Sports Awards.
Out of the 12 award categories, RAS-affiliated athletes, coaches, and alumni are represented in five – a testament to the consistent depth and quality of talent nurtured across regional NSW.
Most notably, RAS has achieved a clean sweep of nominations in the Young Athlete of the Year With A Disability category, showcasing the inclusive high-performance pathways available through regional academies. This remarkable achievement highlights the commitment of RAS to supporting athletes of all abilities as well as tangible connections with program partners such as Paralympics Australia and the NSW Institute of Sport.
RAS also boasts half of the finalists in the coveted Athlete Of The Year category, with standouts Jessica Fox OAM (Paddle), Grace Kim (Golf), and Nicola Olyslagers (Athletics) all flying the regional flag.
In total, 14 individuals connected to RAS including current athletes, alumni, and coaches have been named as finalists across multiple categories, including:
- Athlete of the Year
- Athlete of the Year with a Disability
- Young Athlete of the Year
- Young Athlete of the Year with a Disability
- Coach of the Year
RAS CEO Brett O’Farrell said:
“This level of representation is not only a celebration of individual excellence, but also a reflection of the strength and impact of the Regional Academies of Sport across NSW. We are incredibly proud of all the finalists, and the role RAS plays in developing future champions.”
The NSW Sports Awards will be held Monday 24th November 2025 at the Sydney Event Centre – The Star, celebrating the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, and organisations who have made outstanding contributions to sport in NSW.
