The 2024 Underwriting Agencies Australia (UAA) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Talent Identification Days unfolded over two days: Wednesday, June 19th, hosted by the Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) and Friday, June 22nd, hosted by the Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS).
This initiative brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Central Coast and Hunter High Schools to engage in a talent identification event. Participants showcased their skills across multiple sporting disciplines: Aussie Rules Football, Basketball, Netball, Golf, Triathlon, Baseball/Softball and Functional Movement Screenings and Testing.
Developed through a partnership between CCAS and UAA, the Talent Identification Day (TID) aims to unearth local Indigenous talent. The program seeks to provide full scholarships to the Academy’s sports programs for the standout performers, paving their way to a comprehensive six-week training program commencing in Term 3, 2024. Successful students will be invited to join existing sports programs run by CCAS and HAS throughout the year.
Stan Alexandropoulos, UAA Group Chief Executive Officer, expressed the company’s commitment to fostering pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes. “UAA is dedicated to supporting the development of Indigenous talent, and sport provides a powerful avenue for achieving this goal. We are thrilled to partner with HAS and CCAS in addition to several other Regional Academies of Sport (RASi) members across NSW to offer this unique opportunity locally. This event has thrived on the Central Coast for seven years, and its expansion throughout NSW is particularly exciting.”
Brett O’Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of CCAS/HAS, followed. “The day was outstanding, made possible by the coaches who volunteered their time and expertise. Their commitment ensured the success of the event. Our partnership with UAA has created something extraordinary, making these scholarships and the event itself a reality for our region and its athletes. Today’s experience underscores the critical role such programs play in our community.”
A full gallery of photos can be found here.
