Indigenous

Applications are via your School Sports Coordinator or Aboriginal Educator

The HAS Indigenous program is delivered in partnership with Underwriting Agencies Australia, Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline and the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) network.

The HAS and UAA Indigenous Talent ID event provides a sporting platform for athletes aged 12–18 to be identified and, where suitable and possible, considered for selection into one of theHAS sports programs or other sports aligned with their interests. Athletes identified through this event may be offered the opportunity to progress into fully funded scholarship positions within the HAS Programs, or receive support as they pursue a new sporting pathway.
 
There are 2 event dates in 2026:
25th June: Maitland Federation Centre
26th August: Muswellbrook Indoor Sports Centre

Program Partners

UAA_Logo_1
Santos
Maitland City Council Logo
UoN_Logo

Talent ID is designed to identify people with specific skills, personal qualities and physical attributes that may lead that person to become a high-performing athlete. It is much more than just assessing a person’s physical capabilities, it includes the emotional side of performance, aspects like; desire, determination, resilience and so forth. These qualities are found in elite performance athletes.

Who: Secondary-School aged Male and Female Indigenous, First Nation, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Athletes from the Hunter Academy of Sport catchment areas, who live, attend school in or play sport inNewcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens, Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Upper Hunter Shire, Mid-Coast.

What: Sport Talent Identification Day.

Cost: There is no cost to attend this day for Indigenous students. Participation includes Lunch and an Indigenous-themed performance shirt, incorporating designs from Academy Indigenous Athletes

How to be involved: Speak to your school sports teacher or school Aboriginal Education Officer and ask them complete this form with you. 

Participants will take part in an engaging, multi-sport session where they rotate through a range of activities, including sport-specific skill drills, modified games, and fitness testing. The day is designed to be fun and inclusive, giving every student the opportunity to showcase their abilities across different sports.

Throughout the session, qualified coaches will observe and assess each participant. At the conclusion of the day, selected athletes will be identified and invited to take the next step in the HAS pathway.

These athletes will be offered a place in a complimentary 6 week HAS Strength and Conditioning program, designed to build physical capacity and support their ongoing development. They will also be encouraged to apply and trial for an HAS sporting program.

Through the support of UAA and Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline, athletes will be awarded fully funded Indigenous Athlete Scholarships. Athletes who are successfully selected into an HAS sporting program will have their program levy covered in full (valued at approximately $500–$600).

To be eligible to apply for the Indigenous Talent ID event, applicants must first identify as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. Proof of descent may be requested.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

  • The program is open to male and female athletes aged 12–18 years.
  • Applicants must currently reside within one of the following Local Government Areas (LGAs):
    Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens, Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Upper Hunter Shire, Mid-Coast.
  • Applicants must be endorsed by the school and/or sporting organisation they attend or represent.

The HAS Indigenous Talent Identification Day (ITID) will be held across 2 dates in 2026.

Event Dates:
Thursday 25th June:  Maitland Federation Centre
Wednesday 26th August: Muswellbrook Indoor Sports Centre

TBC