The Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS) celebrated the achievements of its athletes, coaches and volunteers at its 2026 Awards Night, held at Mingara Recreation Club on 1 July, with close to 120 guests in attendance to honour a year of outstanding sporting performance across the region.
Golfer Ava Prince was named the 2026 CCAS Athlete of the Year, capping off an outstanding year of achievement across regional, state, national and professional-level competition.
A back-to-back Regional Academy Games winner, Ava also claimed the Combined Catholic Colleges Overall Girls Championship, the Toukley Ladies Club Championship and the Magenta Shores Junior Club Championship, and finished runner-up at the NSW Champion of Champions. A personal highlight of her year was recording her first ever hole-in-one.
On the national stage, Ava placed first in the Girls Division and third overall at the Webex Players Series Castle Hill, competing alongside leading professional golfers in a live televised event. She remained undefeated across three rounds to help the Central Coast secure the Eric Apperly Shield Regional Playoff title, before teaming up with fellow Academy golfer Max Atwell to win the Jack Newton Junior Golf North vs South Cup undefeated.
Her season also included a runner-up finish at the Nick Faldo Series and multiple top-10 results across Jack Newton Junior Golf events and amateur tournaments in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, with her development recognised through selection in the JNJG Elite Development Squad.
A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of Life Membership to Jess Morgan, the highest honour awarded by the Academy. Jess was recognised for her outstanding and sustained contribution to CCAS, with a connection spanning almost two decades as a former athlete, coach, Head Coach and mentor. Her dedication to developing young netball athletes, supporting the wider Central Coast netball community, and helping shape a positive Academy culture has left a lasting legacy.
2026 Major Award Winners
- Greater Bank Volunteer Manager of the Year: Vicki Folitarick (Basketball)
- Greater Bank Coach Leadership Award: Adam Neale (Aussie Rules Football)
- Para Athlete of the Year: Aalyiah Currie (Para Swimming)
- UAA Indigenous/Torres Strait Islander Athlete Award: Lincoln Greentree (Aussie Rules)
- The Ray Sandell Dedication to Sporting Excellence Award: Anna Monteleone (Netball Umpire)
- Chair’s Award: Corey Engelbrecht (Hockey)
- CCAS Athlete of the Year: Ava Prince (Golf)
The evening also included a special honour for Ray Sandell, who sadly passed away last month. Ray was a cornerstone of the CCAS since its inception in 2004, offering invaluable volunteer support from the very beginning. His dedication, working upwards of forty hours a week as a volunteer in the Academy’s early days, was crucial to its success. A passionate advocate for sport, particularly football, Ray’s lasting impact on CCAS is celebrated through the Ray Sandell Award for Sporting Excellence, and his Life Membership stands as well-deserved recognition of his fifteen years of service and ongoing commitment to the local sporting community.
2026 Sport Award Winners
Aussie Rules Football Athlete of the Year: Lincoln Greentree, Stella Turner. Rising Stars: William Davis, Mia Jamal.
Athletics Athlete of the Year: Ashton Foley. Rising Stars: Jack Sullivan, Kyah Chalmers.
Basketball Athlete of the Year: Mason Potestas, Zali Heffernan. Rising Stars: Will Chapman, Ally Rumpler.
Future Stars Athlete of the Year: Lalie Conway.
Golf Athlete of the Year: Ava Prince. Rising Star: Max Atwell
High Performance Athlete of the Year: Kody Wrench
Hockey Athlete of the Year: Harvey Taylor, Lucas Moore. Rising Stars: Kristen Garske, Corey Engelbrecht.
Netball Athlete of the Year: Lahni Wright, Bridie Riddle. Rising Stars: Chloe Wilson, Annabelle Webber.
Netball Umpires Athlete of the Year: Anna Monteleone. Rising Star: Olivia Ketley.
Para Sports Athlete of the Year: Aaliyah Currie.
Rugby Union Athlete of the Year: William Canestro. Rising Star: Frank Boake.
Triathlon Athlete of the Year: Eva Mowbray, Thomas Rice. Rising Stars: Mason Pellatt, Elodie Heathwood.
Skateboarding Rising Stars: Otis Edwards, Imogen Tanti.
CCAS Regional Manager Roxanne Wain said the evening was a powerful reminder of the impact the Academy has on young athletes, both in sport and in life.
“The Awards Evening was a great opportunity to celebrate not only the achievements of our athletes, but also the people, programs and pathways that help shape them,” Wain said.
“One of the strongest themes throughout the night was the role the Academy plays in creating a safe and supportive environment where athletes can grow, challenge themselves and feel part of something bigger.
“We heard from athletes and alumni about how the Academy has helped build confidence, people skills and lifelong relationships, including connections with athletes from other academies across the state.
“That is what makes the Academy so special. It is not only about results, but about creating opportunities, building people, and supporting athletes to become the best version of themselves both on and off the field.”
The Central Coast Academy of Sport thanks its partners for their continued support: NSW Office of Sport, Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline, Underwriting Agencies Australia, Greater Bank, The University of Newcastle, Central Coast Council, Mingara, NBN, Southern Cross Austereo and Coast Sport.
