The 2023 Underwriting Agencies Australia (UAA) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Talent Identification Day was held over two days on Tuesday, March 28th hosted by the Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS) and Thursday, March 30th hosted by the Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) in their respective regions. Close to 250 local students attended the event across 2 days, with selectors expressing a high level of skill and talent on show.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Central Coast and Hunter High Schools were given the opportunity to come together under the watchful eyes of some of the regions most experienced sports coaches. Five (5) sporting disciplines were again in action including Aussie Rules Football, Basketball, Netball, Golf and Function Movement Screenings and Testing.
The concept of a Talent Identification Day (TID) was developed in partnership between the CCAS and UAA with a focus to ‘unearth’ local indigenous talent and to then be able to provide full scholarships to Academy Sports Programs.
The end goal is the Academy will invite the top performers from the day to take part in a six (6) week training program starting in Term 3 2023. From here students will be invited to join one of the already existing sports programs operated by the CCAS/HAS throughout 2023.
Brett O’Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of CCAS/HAS followed, “The days were quite remarkable, the level of coaches we had on hand to coordinate the day made this event possible. I can’t thank our volunteer coaches enough, they readily offer their and are always overwhelmed by their willingness to get involved and to make the day the success it was. The Academies really have done something very special in partnership with UAA, so hats off to UAA on providing the financial support to make this day and the scholarships that follow a reality for our region and the athletes who took part. It’s easy to take sport for granted and we found out today just how essential a program like this is for our region.”
A full gallery of photos can be found below:
HAS
CCAS
