The Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) celebrated the outstanding achievements of its athletes, coaches and volunteers at the 2026 NIAS Annual Awards, held at Wests Entertainment Centre in Tamworth on 1 August.
The afternoon brought together athletes, families, coaches, sponsors and community members to mark the conclusion of the Academy’s 34th year of supporting talented young athletes across the Northern Inland region.
The Awards capped another significant year for NIAS, highlighted by the successful delivery of the 2026 Your Local Club Regional Academy Games in Tamworth. More than 1,000 talented young athletes from across New South Wales came together for a memorable weekend of competition, connection and regional pride.
The ceremony was hosted by Dan Saunders from TMFM 95.5 and featured former Wallaby Ned Hanigan as guest speaker.
2026 Major Award Winners
- Female Athlete of the Year: Isabella Henderson (Future Stars Rowing)
- Male Athlete of the Year: Luke Schmude (Hockey)
- Para Athlete of the Year: Abbie Peet (Future Stars Athletics)
- UAA Indigenous Athlete of the Year: Amarnii Ramirez (Netball)
- Leadership Award: Phillipa Cracknell (Softball)
- Col Burt Memorial Coach of the Year: Amy Evans (Netball)
- Volunteer of the Year: Rosie Stokeld (Basketball)
2026 Sport Award Winners
Basketball, Female: Most Improved, Olivia Noad (Tamworth); Encouragement Award, Darcy Hall (Tamworth); Leadership Award, Evie Randall (Tamworth); Most Outstanding Athlete, Molly Stokeld (Tamworth).
Basketball, Male: Most Improved, Cooper Porter (Tamworth); Encouragement Award, Oskar Devlin (Inverell); Leadership Award, Flynn Royall (Tamworth); Most Outstanding Athlete, Gilbert Riley (Tamworth).
Golf: Most Improved, Bayley Ralston (Tamworth); Encouragement Award, Clancy Lawlor (Armidale); Leadership Award, Lucas Grosser (Gunnedah); Most Outstanding Athlete, Isaac Riches (Armidale).
Hockey, Female: Most Improved, Taylah Townsend (Tamworth); Encouragement Award, Charlotte Williams (Tamworth); Leadership Award, Eva Hayes (Tamworth); Most Outstanding Athlete, Tilly Patterson (Armidale).
Hockey, Male: Most Improved, Travis Mumford (Tamworth); Encouragement Award, Eliott Rodda (Tamworth); Leadership Award, Archie Clarke (Tamworth); Most Outstanding Athlete, Luke Schmude (Armidale).
Mountain Bike: Most Improved, Corbin Newsome (Tamworth); Encouragement Award, Zander Hofman (Tamworth); Leadership Award, Lucas McDonald (Tamworth); Most Outstanding Athlete, Rebecca Sams (Tamworth).
Netball: Most Improved, Sienna Swain (Gunnedah); Encouragement Award, Lily Dean (Tamworth); Leadership Award, Eva Maloney (Tamworth); Most Outstanding Athlete, Paige Floyd (Glen Innes/Armidale).
Netball Umpires: Most Improved, Madeline Robinson (Tamworth); Encouragement Award, Maddison Connole (Narrabri).
Softball: Most Improved, Zoe Gentle (Tamworth); Encouragement Award, Morgan Attard (Tamworth); Leadership Award, Phillipa Cracknell (Tamworth); Most Outstanding Athlete, Sadie Nicholls (Tamworth).
Athletes of the Year
Future Stars rower Isabella Henderson and hockey athlete Luke Schmude, both from Armidale, received the highest honours as the 2026 NIAS Female and Male Athletes of the Year.
Isabella was recognised following an exceptional season that included state and national titles, four medals at the Australian Rowing Championships and selection in Rowing Australia’s under-19 team. Competing at the USRowing International Rowing Challenge in Michigan, she won gold in the Women’s Quad and Mixed Eight and silver in the Women’s Double.
Luke received the Male Athlete of the Year Award after earning selection in the Australian under-18 Men’s Hockey Team and Hockey Australia’s under-18 Futures Squad. He also captained NSW to victory at the Australian Championships in Darwin, while continuing to contribute to the sport through coaching and umpiring.
A strong regional pathway
NIAS Regional Manager Sue Charles said the Awards celebrated not only the achievements of the athletes, but also the collective effort required to provide high-performance opportunities across regional New South Wales.
“Our award recipients and nominees represent the very best of regional sport. Their talent is matched by their commitment, resilience and determination to continually improve,” Ms Charles said.
“We are incredibly proud of Isabella and Luke, as well as every athlete recognised at this year’s Awards. Their achievements demonstrate the strength of the sporting pathway available to young people across the Northern Inland region.”
These achievements would not be possible without the dedication of our coaches, managers and volunteers, or the enormous commitment made by parents and carers. We are also extremely grateful for the support of Tamworth Regional Council, the NSW Government through the Office of Sport, and all our valued sponsors, partners and supporters.
Together, they enable NIAS to provide meaningful development opportunities for talented young athletes across the Northern Inland region.”
NIAS acknowledges the continued support of its valued partners: Tamworth Regional Council, Santos, Underwriting Agencies Australia, the NSW Office of Sport, Wests Entertainment, Whitehaven, Regional Australia Bank, Armidale City Bowling Club, Tamworth City Toyota, HealthWISE, Inland Technology, Armidale Rotary Club, TMFM, the University of New England, Tamworth Mountain Bikers, Gunnedah Shire Council and Inverell Shire Council.
Special thanks also go to Wests Entertainment for generously hosting the Awards and waiving venue hire costs.
View the full photo gallery here
Pictured: Luke Schmude, Ned Hanigan & Isabella Henderson
Photo credit: Chasing Summer Photography
