The Regional Academies of Sport network is celebrating an exciting first wave of selections for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with athletes, coaches and alumni from across the academy system earning opportunities on the international stage.
With only the first round of Commonwealth Games announcements now confirmed across Athletics, Para Athletics, Boxing and Para Powerlifting, the Regional Academies of Sport are proud to already have strong representation within the Australian team and international coaching staff, with even more exciting announcements expected in the coming weeks as additional sports are revealed.
Among the standout selections are athletes and alumni from the North Coast Academy of Sport, Central Coast Academy of Sport and South West Sydney Academy of Sport.
The North Coast Academy of Sport is celebrating the selection of two outstanding Para Athletics athletes, Lexie Brown and Ayla Kowalczyk, who will represent Australia in Glasgow from 23 July – 2 August.
Lexie Brown has earned selection in Para Athletics (T37) for the 100m Sprint after progressing through the NCAS Indigenous Talent Identification and Future Stars programs. Ayla Kowalczyk has been selected in Para Athletics for the Long Jump following her development through the NCAS Future Stars Program.
Both athletes have demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience and talent throughout their journeys from regional athlete pathways to the international stage. Their achievements are also a reflection of the outstanding work of NCAS Athletics Head Coach Zenon Kowalczyk, whose commitment to athlete development continues to help regional athletes progress from grassroots sport to the world stage.
The Central Coast Academy of Sport is also celebrating the selection of high jumper Nicola Olyslagers, who has once again earned Australian representation in Athletics after establishing herself as one of the country’s premier athletes on the world stage.
Olyslagers is a dual Olympic silver medallist, claiming silver in the High Jump at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She also won bronze at the 2023 World Athletics Championships before securing gold at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, further cementing her place among the world’s elite high jumpers. Nicola is also the current Oceanian High Jump record holder.
Meanwhile, the South West Sydney Academy of Sport can proudly claim representation through two former coaches and alumni involved with the historic qualification of the Tongan Netball Team, the first time Tonga has ever qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Netball.
Former SWSAS coach Jacqua Pori-Makea Simpson has been selected as Head Coach of the Tongan Netball Team, while former SWSAS coach and alumni Van Nguyen will travel with the team as Head Physio.
The selections further reinforce the strength of the Regional Academies of Sport pathway system across New South Wales, which continues to provide emerging athletes, coaches and support staff from regional and Western Sydney communities with access to elite development opportunities, high performance coaching and national exposure.
Regional Academies of Sport CEO Brett O’Farrell said the announcements were another proud milestone for the academy network.
“These selections highlight the incredible depth of talent being developed across our academies and demonstrate the important role regional pathways play in Australian sport.
To see athletes, coaches and support staff progress from academy programs to Commonwealth Games representation is something the entire network can celebrate. What makes this even more exciting is that these are only the first announcements, and we know there is more exciting news still to come across a number of sports in the weeks ahead.”
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from 23 July – 2 August 2026.
For more information, visit Commonwealth Games Australia
