Registrations have now opened for the 2026 Future Green and Gold Talent Search, a national initiative designed to uncover emerging Olympic and Paralympic potential and accelerate athletes into high‑performance development pathways. Delivered by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in partnership with state institutes and national sporting organisations, the program plays a significant role in strengthening the talent pipeline in regional Australia.

Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) stand to benefit from the expanded 2026 campaign, which supports young athletes by providing access to high‑level testing, sport‑specific matching and expert guidance normally available only in metropolitan settings. With strong participation expected across both states, the program offers a direct pathway for regional athletes to be identified early and connected to national high‑performance systems.

For RAS, the initiative complements existing talent development programs by offering athletes independent assessment from AIS performance experts. This provides valuable benchmarking data, new potential sport options for multi‑talented athletes, and clear referral channels into national pathways ahead of Brisbane 2032. The broader reach of the 2026 edition ensures that talent from smaller towns and rural communities has the same opportunity to be recognised as those in major cities.

The 2026 schedule includes the following dates relevant to the RAS network:

New South Wales

• Saturday 18 July – Paralympic Talent Search
• Saturday 25 July – Olympic Talent Search

South Australia

• Rolling intake throughout 2026 for Olympic and Paralympic pathways

 

Open to Australians aged 13–23 for Olympic sports and 13+ for Paralympic sports, the program requires no prior elite experience. Participants undertake testing in speed, power, strength and endurance, after which those with strong potential may be recommended for further trials and invited to join the Talent Development Program.

RAS encourage their athletes to consider this opportunity to explore their capabilities and gain exposure to national‑level identification. With the Brisbane 2032 Games approaching, Future Green and Gold provides a timely and accessible pathway for aspiring athletes to take the next step.