Regional Academies of Sport alumni were among the standout performers at the 2026 NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Awards, with Jessica Fox and Molly Picklum (pictured) taking home major honours at last night’s ceremony.
Held at the Sydney Event Centre on Wednesday 28 October, the awards celebrated the achievements of NSW athletes, coaches and high-performance programs across the 2025/26 season, including performances at world championships, the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
RAS was proudly represented by five finalists across the awards, highlighting the strength of the regional athlete pathway and the continued success of athletes who have progressed through the Regional Academies of Sport network.
Western Sydney Academy of Sport (WSAS) alumna Jessica Fox OAM received the prestigious Ian Thorpe AM Outstanding Achievement Award, presented by Powerade, recognising an extraordinary return to international competition following surgery for a kidney tumour.
After a challenging recovery that forced her to miss half of the 2025 international canoe slalom season, Fox returned to competition in outstanding form, claiming five World Cup gold medals and three world championship titles.
Her resilience and determination continue to set an exceptional standard in Australian sport.
Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS) alumna Molly Picklum was named Valour Young Athlete of the Year, capping off an outstanding period in her surfing career.
The 23-year-old claimed the 2025 women’s World Surf League (WSL) world title after overcoming challenging conditions at Cloudbreak in Fiji. She has continued that momentum into the new season, taking victory in Portugal and rising to world No. 1 in the women’s rankings.
Both awards recognise not only remarkable sporting performances but also the dedication and perseverance required to compete at the highest level.
Alongside Fox and Picklum, three other RAS alumni were recognised as finalists at this year’s awards:
- Nicola Olyslagers – Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS)
- Gordon Allan – Western Sydney Academy of Sport (WSAS)
- Matthew Graham – Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS)
Nicola Olyslagers, Jessica Fox and Molly Picklum were all finalists in the NSW Office of Sport Female Athlete of the Year category, meaning three of the five finalists in the category were RAS alumni.
Gordon Allan was named a finalist for Valour Male Athlete of the Year, alongside Matthew Graham, highlighting the breadth of talent and achievement across the RAS network.
Their recognition across multiple categories reflects the dedication of these athletes, their coaches and support teams, and the regional sporting communities that have helped shape their journeys.
The NSWIS Awards are an opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of athletes competing on the world stage, while acknowledging the people and programs that support their development.
For Regional Academies of Sport, the success of our alumni is a powerful reminder of the importance of providing emerging athletes in regional NSW with access to quality coaching, education, development opportunities and performance support.
From their early development within their local sporting communities to competing at Olympic, world championship and international level, these athletes demonstrate what is possible when talent is supported and given the opportunity to thrive.
Photo credit: WSL / Pierre Tostee
