In what can be described as a strong start to 2021, the Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) have signed an exciting and beneficial partnership which will assist close to 500 young Academy athletes across the Hunter region. Following the success of the CCAS programs Underwriting Agencies of Australia (UAA) have signed with the HAS on a multi-year contract.
HAS is excited to welcome onboard UAA as major sponsor of the Hunter Hockey program, who will also continue to support the CCAS Hockey program as the name partner to the program. HAS will host the inaugural Hunter Indigenous Talent Identification Day (ITID), an idea stemming from an already successful event hosted by CCAS in conjunction with UAA. The event will invite Indigenous students from Hunter and Central Coast (respective) schools to come together under the watchful eyes of some of the regions most experienced sports coaches. ITID focuses on ‘unearthing’ local indigenous talent from the Hunter and Central Coast regions to then be able to provide full scholarships to HAS and CCAS sporting programs.
Michael Murphy, UAA Group Chief Executive Officer said of the partnership, “UAA is a locally born and bred company dating back to the early 80’s, committed to diversity and inclusion and striving to always promote this within our organisation. Our most recent endeavour is to build on our talent identification program in the Central Coast by launching into the Hunter as well. By supporting pathways for Indigenous youth in Australia we are enhancing the educational, employment, training and career development opportunities for people of Indigenous descent by offering scholarships in the Academy of Sport programs,” he concluded.
Ian Robilliard, the CCAS Managing Director said of the extended support to regional athletes; “UAA are an important corporate partner of the CCAS and I’m thrilled that our work is being leveraged to a higher level with engagement with the Hunter Academy of Sport. In an environment where sponsorship at regional level has never been more important it’s great to see UAA engaged with the HAS across the ITID and Hockey mediums. I have no doubt this level of support will see our two organisations engage in friendly competition as the programs further evolve.”
The success of the 2020 CCAS ITID saw athletes who were selected at the 2019 event return in hope of gaining a scholarship in their 2021 talent programs. Indigenous students from Central Coast High School’s had the opportunity to come together under the watchful eyes of some of the regions most experienced sports coaches with five sporting disciplines in action including Aussie Rules, Basketball, Netball, Golf and Test & Measurements (delivered by the University of Newcastle Exercise Sports Science faculty).
About the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS)
Each year, HAS and CCAS provide hundreds of regional and rural-based athletes, ranging in ages from 10 to 18, the opportunity to access national and international standard training and development programs within their regional bases. The academies are two of nine Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) operating across New South Wales (NSW), working with State sporting bodies and the NSW government’s Office of Sport as the delivery arm of regional based pre-elite athlete development programs throughout the Hunter. More information about RAS can be found at www.regionalacademies.org.au.
