Young athletes from across the State are provided with an extensive education program covering everything from the dangers of drugs in sport to financial literacy, thanks to a new scheme funded by the NSW registered club industry and delivered by the Regional Academies of Sport (RASi).

The education program has been rolled out across the State with member Academies engaging industry professionals to deliver the content of the Your Local Club Education Program.

As a major partner, Your Local Club has committed a significant financial contribution towards the program, which will provide a best practice health and wellbeing program to young people across the State.

“The Regional Academy network includes over 2,000 athletes annually. To have a unified professional and elite education program servicing the talented youth of regional NSW will only develop stronger generations to come” said CEO of The Hunter Academy of Sport.

The new Athlete Education Program curriculum will cover 11 modules including in Year 1; Nutrition, Drugs in Sport/ Community, Sports Psychology and Youth Leadership.

“…through our partnership program with the Regional Academies of Sport, we will be able to provide guidance on off-field issues as well which, all too often, de-rail promising sporting careers” said ClubsNSW Chairman Peter Newell.

The program will be delivered both face to face (in regional clubs) and backed up by the development of an online hub.

In 2017 the Regional Academies of Sport commissioned a policy review of all member Academy’s policies and other models, to assist in creating best practice policies that encompasses all relevant policies for the Academy network.

The new policies were created to ensure that all members operated under the appropriate policies for their athletes, parents, coaches and stakeholders.

Aside from ensuring best practice standards for content and accessibility, consistency has been achieved across all member Academies.

The Academy Games is an annual tournament and has been held in various locations across NSW since its inception in 2005. Regional Academies from across New South Wales gather at a central location to develop athlete skills through meaningful competition, skill sessions and personal development activities.

Your Local Club has been the Principle Partner of the Academy Games since its inception 16 years ago.

For more information on the Your Local Club Academy Games head to the Academy Games page

The Regional Academies are fortunate to receive strong support from all their respective Members of Parliament within the NSW Government. Academies work diligently to ensure their local Members are kept informed of athlete achievements and Academy initiatives.

The event features over 100 guests including Members of Parliament, Local Government, corporate supporters, media, Academy athletes and family members, and other Academy representatives. The reception is an opportunity for local Members to show their support for Academy athletes in person and for the athletes to meet their respective Members and chat about their goals and achievements along the way.

The Greater Bank Academy Netball Challenge will be held in Orange during September 2021. This event will see all member Academy’s Netball squads travel to the Western Region to participate in two and a half days of high level of competition which will form part of Netball NSW’s selection process for State squad selections..

More details are yet to come for this event.