The Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) and Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) are proud to announce the successful completion of the 2026 North vs South Cup, held at Leura Golf Club in the Blue Mountains from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 May 2026.
Set against one of Australia’s most picturesque golfing backdrops, the annual event brought together New South Wales’ finest pre-elite junior golfers for three days of high-quality competition, team camaraderie and athlete development.
The North vs South Cup is the flagship event of the long-standing partnership between RAS and JNJG, established to create a robust talent identification and development pathway across regional New South Wales. The program draws players from nine regional academies and the NSW Office of Sport’s South East Sports Academy (SESA), with athletes selected to represent either Northern or Southern NSW. The JNJG Metro North and Metro South teams were also represented amongst the RAS teams.
Competing in a format that rewards both individual excellence and team performance, the Cup showcases the depth of emerging golfing talent across the state, while reinforcing the values of teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship.
Now in its sixteenth year, the RAS/JNJG partnership continues to play a vital role in supporting young athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the course. Through locally delivered programs, participants gain access to specialised coaching, sport science services and performance development opportunities.
The North Team (winners) featured Cooper Gerada and William Coombes (NCAS), Max Atwell and Ava Prince (CCAS), Harry Leggatt and Cooper Ridgeway (HAS), Jessica Fog and Sean Sammons (WSAS), Isaac Riches and Lucas Grosser (NIAS) and Mingming Lee and Zach France (Metro North).
The South Team included Blake Royal and Harrison Uphill (SSA), Jolie McLoughlin and Finn Whitelock (SESA), Jaidon Kyyriacou and Samuel Cheoi (IAS), Harry Pesci and Miya Finneran (SWSAS), Nate Hotham and Rory Elphick (WRAS) and Tsawm Laphai and Christian Climie (Metro South).
The North vs South Cup represents the pinnacle of this development pathway – the moment where months of preparation across the academy network are tested in a competitive environment. For many athletes, selection is a significant milestone in their journey toward state and national representation.
Luke Field, Sports Programs Manager from North Coast Academy of Sport and Team Manager of North Team said of the event, “It’s an incredible feeling to come away with the win. The standard of competition was really high, and it pushed all of us to perform at our best. I’m so proud of how our team supported each other over the three days, it was a true team effort and an experience we’ll all remember.”
The 2026 edition once again highlighted the strength of collaboration between RAS and JNJG, and the ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of Australian golfers.
