Regional Athletes Celebrated at Annual Awards Evening

ADVERTISING

Key Points

Adam Bates of South West Sydney Academy of Sport was named the 2024 RAS NSW Athlete of the Year at a ceremony held at Wenty Leagues.
Four other athletes and coaches were also honoured, including Dylan Littlehales (Central Coast Academy of Sport), Millie Sutcliffe (Western Region Academy of Sport), Keira Higham (North Coast Academy of Sport) and Poihaere Birtles (Far West Academy of Sport).
The awards, sponsored by Steadfast, UAA, and ClubsNSW, celebrated achievements across categories like Athlete of the Year and Athlete Leadership.
The event drew dignitaries from the NSW Office of Sport, Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia, highlighting its significance.
With a network spanning over 100 Local Government Areas, RAS supports over 2000 athletes and 300 staff, continuing to grow in prominence leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Up and coming 18-year-old baseball superstar Adam Bates from South West Sydney Academy of Sport has been recognised as the 2024 Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) NSW Athlete of the Year.

Adam, along with athletes from eleven RAS areas across NSW, came together at Wenty Leagues in February to celebrate and recognise the achievements of athletes and coaches across five categories.

Adam and four fellow RAS athletes and coaches were recognised for their significant achievements throughout the year.

Each award winner was selected from nominations received across all RAS in NSW. The categories were:

Athlete of the Year – Adam Bates (Future Stars / Baseball), South West Sydney Academy of Sport
Athlete with Disability (AWD) of the Year – Dylan Littlehales (Para Kayak), Central Coast Academy of Sport
UAA Indigenous Athlete of the Year – Millie Sutcliffe (Basketball), Western Region Academy of Sport
Steadfast Athlete Leadership – Keira Higham (Netball), North Coast Academy of Sport
Steadfast Coach Leadership – Poihaere Birtles (Rugby League), Far West Academy of Sport

The annual awards dinner, proudly supported by Steadfast, Underwriting Agencies of Australia (UAA) and ClubsNSW, was heralded as yet another crowning moment for the RAS.

The RAS were grateful to host a significant number of dignitaries from a wide array of NSW state sporting organisations, along with key representatives of the NSW Office of Sport, the NSW Institute of Sport, Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia.

Guests included Dr Hugh McDermott MP, Member for Prosect, AOC Chief Executive of Community Engagement James Edwards, NSW Office of Sport CEO Karen Jones and representatives from the RAS networks’ major stakeholders.

Among those also in the room were athletes, parents and staff from the Regional Academies, along with the South West Sydney Academy of Sport and Western Sydney Academy of Sport who co-hosted this year’s event.

“This event stands as a pinnacle moment for our regional sporting excellence,” said Brett O’Farrell, RAS Chairperson.

“It underscores the collective achievements of our athletes, coaches and stakeholders from across NSW’s diverse landscapes.

“With over 2000 athletes and 300 coaching staff benefiting from RAS support services across 100+ Local Government Areas, the RAS network’s growth and impact are undeniable.

“As we journey towards Australia’s 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, the RAS’s recognition and influence continue to flourish across government entities, sporting institutions and communities alike.”

The RAS continue to represent an extensive geographical area across NSW, with over 100 Local Government Areas and support services provided for over 2000 athletes and 300 coaching and program staff.

The Regional Academies of Sport network continues to grow in recognition and significance, across a wide range of organisations, such as the NSW Government, the NSW Institute of Sport, Paralympics Australia and state sporting organisations, as we head towards Australia’s 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.