The Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) network is celebrating an exciting first wave of selections for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with athletes, coaches and alumni from across the academy system earning opportunities on the international stage.
With the Commonwealth Games team now announced, the Regional Academies of Sport are proud to have representation not only within the Australian team, but across international squads as athletes, coaches, support staff and match officials, see below:
| Athlete | Academy | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Teys | North Coast Academy of Sport | Lawn Bowls – Men’s Pairs |
| Alyssa Gillespie | Central Coast Academy of Sport | Para Swimming – 100m Breaststroke SB8 |
| Ayla Kowalczyk | North Coast Academy of Sport | Para Athletics – Long Jump |
| Briony Akle | Western Sydney Academy of Sport | Netball – Assistant Coach |
| Corey Wedlock | North Coast Academy of Sport | Lawn Bowls – Men’s Pairs |
| Daniel Barber | Western Region Academy of Sport | Cycling – Track Sprint |
| Gordon Allan | Western Sydney Academy of Sport | Para Cycling – Track Sprint C2 |
| Jacqua Pori-Makea Simpson | South West Sydney Academy of Sport | Netball – Coach |
| Jemma Pollard | Hunter Academy of Sport | Athletics – 4x400m Mixed |
| Layla Sharp | Western Sydney Academy of Sport | Para Athletics – Long Jump T38 |
| Lexie Brown | North Coast Academy of Sport | Para Athletics – 100m T37 |
| Liliya Tarintoff | Central Coast Academy of Sport | Cycling – Track Sprint |
| Mia Hogan | Southern Sports Academy | Para Swimming – 50m/100m Freestyle S13 |
| Nicola Olyslagers | Central Coast Academy of Sport | Athletics – High Jump |
| Rose Davies | Hunter Academy of Sport | Athletics – 5000m |
| Sienna Toohey | Southern Sports Academy | Swimming |
| Tamara Buriani-Gennai | Western Sydney Academy of Sport | Netball – Umpire |
| Torrie Lewis | Hunter Academy of Sport | Athletics – 100m/200m/4x100m |
| Van Nguyen | South West Sydney Academy of Sport | Netball – Physio |
The selections further reinforce the strength of the Regional Academies of Sport pathway system across New South Wales, which continues to provide emerging athletes, coaches and support staff from regional and Western Sydney communities with access to elite development opportunities, high performance coaching and national exposure.
Hunter Academy of Sport athlete Jemma Pollard, selected for the Athletics 4x400m Mixed relay, credited her time at the academy as foundational to her journey.
“I was a part of the Hunter Academy of Sport growing up and it had a profound impact on me in athletics. I made so many friendships and it connected me with my athletics coach at the time. 10 years later, I have been selected for my first ever Commonwealth Games. I am so excited to represent Australia at this event and it is a childhood dream come true.”
Regional Academies of Sport CEO Brett O’Farrell said the announcements were another proud milestone for the academy network.
“These selections highlight the incredible depth of talent being developed across our academies and demonstrate the important role regional pathways play in Australian sport.
To see athletes, coaches and support staff progress from academy programs to Commonwealth Games representation is something the entire network can celebrate. What makes this even more exciting is that these are only the first announcements, and we know there is more exciting news still to come across a number of sports in the weeks ahead.”
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from 23 July – 2 August 2026.
For more information, visit Commonwealth Games Australia
Image: North Coast Academy of Sport Para athlete – Lexie Brown
