Experts from the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) have attended the annual Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) Coaching Conference, which brought together coaches and sports enthusiasts for a day of knowledge sharing, innovation, and inspiration. Building upon the immense success of the 2022 edition, this year’s conference set new standards for the sporting industry in NSW.

NSWIS experts across performance health and sport science met with close to 130 regional coaches, administrators and staff in an opportunity to share knowledge and experience so as to upskill the coaches across NSW. It was also a chance to acknowledge and say a very sincere thankyou to the many volunteer coaches who support the pre-elite athlete pathway in NSW.

Hosted by the Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS), on behalf of the RAS network, the 1-day conference bought together the best regional pre-elite coaches from all 11 RAS from throughout New South Wales; Central Coast, Far West, Illawarra, Hunter, North Coast, Northern Inland, South East, South West Sydney, Southern, Western Region and Western Sydney Academies of Sport.

The stacked agenda included special guests; Liz Ellis AO (former Australian Netballer), Carrie Graf AM (former Australian Women’s Basketball Head Coach), Mark McVeigh (Sydney Swans Academy Head Coach), Melissa Wu (Australian Diver), Chava Sobrino (NSWIS Diving Head Coach), Katie Kelly OAM (former Australian Para-triathlete), Rob Mullard (NSWIS Physiotherapist and Lead Coordinator for Athletics Australia), Anthony Quinn (NSWIS Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Advisor), Sean Cooney (NSWIS Head of Performance Health), Simon Harries (NSWIS Head of Strength & Conditioning), Dean Widders (NRL Indigenous Pathways Manager), Shaun Mielekamp (Central Coast Mariners CEO), Emily Husband (Central Coast Mariners Women’s Head Coach), Andy Bernal (Former Socceroo and Central Coast Mariners Staff), Simon Woinarksi (Office of Sport) and a video presentation by Lauren Jackson (Australian Basketballer).

Kevin Thompson, CEO of the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) said, “The 2023 RAS Coaches Conference was an enormous success, bringing together the state’s best coaches to learn, share and collaborate with some of the best high performance experts in sport.”

“Coach development and regional planning are critical in supporting the NSWIS’ Pursu32+ program and developing the next generation of the world’s best athletes ahead of Brisbane 2032. NSWIS was proud to invest in the opportunity, alongside the Office of Sport, to create a platform to further educate and celebrate the achievements of regional coaches.”

The 2023 RAS Coaching Conference continued to embody the commitment of the RAS to advance sports coaching and athlete development across the region. It was a resounding success, shaping the future of sports coaching in the region.

The RAS network would like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors of this event; The NSW Office of Sport, NSWIS, Steadfast, UAA and Mingara Recreation Club.

Article and image courtesy of RAS

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