The Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) Upper Hunter UAA Indigenous Talent Identification Day (ITID), held in Muswellbrook on Wednesday, 14th August, was a resounding success. Nearly 50 students from Upper Hunter schools attended the event, which provided a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to showcase their sporting talents.
This event also marked the first opportunity for our new sponsor, Santos, to be involved. Their support added a new layer of commercial activity to this initiative, reinforcing the commitment to nurturing Indigenous talent within our region. Santos joins naming partner Underwriting Agencies Australia (UAA) as proud supporters of the ITID initiative, which has been running for the past 3 years in Maitland. The addition support of Santos has meant that the event was also able to be held in the Upper Hunter, reaching a new demographic of schools and students.
The Talent ID Day allowed students to demonstrate their skills across various sports, including Basketball, Golf, Rowing, Cycling, Baseball/Softball and Functional Movement Screenings and Testing. This event aims to uncover local Indigenous talent and offer full scholarships to standout performers, leading to a comprehensive six-week training program in Term 3, 2024.
The following students were identified at the event and have been invited to join the HAS training program:
Alea Pickett – Muswellbrook High
Bobby Jo Stevens – Muswellbrook High
Brodie Denovan – Warners Bay High
Coen Clark – Hunters Sport High
Havanah Thompson – St Joseph’s Aberdeen
Lila Brown – Muswellbrook High
Lillian Smith – Muswellbrook High
Ryan Horton – Muswellbrook High
Seth Perry – Muswellbrook High
Theo Ballard – St Joseph’s Aberdeen
Xavier McGrady – Muswellbrook High
Brett O’Farrell, Group Chief Executive Officer of Regional Academies of Sport Ltd, the parent company of HAS emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “The day was yet again a remarkable success, made possible by the dedication of our coaches and the support of our two partners UAA and Santos. Our collaboration with UAA and now Santos has enabled us to provide these exceptional opportunities to our region’s Indigenous athletes. Today’s event highlights the vital role these programs play in our community. The standout of this event was the enthusiasm, effort and enjoyment demonstrated by the athletes in attendance not to mention the obvious talent many athletes displayed”.
The UAA Indigenous Talent ID Day continues to strengthen pathways for Indigenous athletes, ensuring they have access to the resources and support necessary to thrive in their chosen sports.
