Program Function: The NSW Government provides funding support to the network of 11 Regional Academies of Sport as part of its commitment to supporting young athletes in regional areas and future Olympic hopefuls. Grant funding provides annual core as well as additional funding for the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS), which are entities providing sport and educational programs and events for talented athletes across NSW.
Program Term: Applications opened in December 2022 and closed in June 2023 and grants were announced in June 2023. Projects are expected to commence by January 2023 and be completed by December 2025.
Applicants: A total of 11 applicants were eligible for consideration for Project A, B and C funding, all of which were successful. A total of 1 applicant was eligible for consideration for the RASi Network funding, which was successful. The total amount awarded through the Regional Academy of Sport Funding is as follows;
- Project A; $7,335,000 in total, spread between 11 applicants over 3 years (2022/23 to 2024/25)
- Project B; $3,600,000 in total, spread between 11 applicants over 3 years (2022/23 to 2024/25)
- Project C; $1,400,000 in total, spread between 11 applicants for 1 year (2022/23)
- RASi Network; $255,000 in total, for RASi Inc over 3 years (2022/23 to 2024/25)
Probity: The Office of Sport engages an independent probity advisor to oversee its grant programs. The role of the probity advisor is to ensure program administration satisfies probity principles of impartiality, fairness, accountability, confidentiality and achieves policy objectives. In doing this the probity advisor:
- Reviews and provides feedback on key program documents
- Provides clarifications to queries when required
- Recommends management action for conflicts of interest and any other probity issues that arise
- Attends assessment meetings to ensure, amongst other things, that assessment criteria are applied diligently, and the assessment is based on information provided by applicants.
While this is a closed grant program and does not involve competitive assessment, the probity advisor is called upon to review key program documents as required.
Source Agency: The NSW Office of Sport administered the Program on behalf of the NSW Government. Final decisions on the award of funding were made by the Minister for Sport.
| Recipient Organisation | Region | Grant | Project Title | Project Description | Total Amount Awarded | Program Term |
| Regional Acadmies of Sport Inc. NSW | Across NSW | Delivery of the Regional Academies of Sport ‘Academy Games’ and approved Network Activities and Projects 2023-2025 | RASi Network Funding and Academy Games | Delivery of the Regional Academies of Sport ‘Academy Games’ and approved Network Activities and Projects | 255000 | Three years |
| Hunter Academy of Sport | City of Newcastle, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Dungog Maitland, Mid-Coast Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter |
Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| Hunter Academy of Sport | City of Newcastle, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Dungog Maitland, Mid-Coast Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter |
Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| Hunter Academy of Sport | City of Newcastle, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Dungog Maitland, Mid-Coast Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter |
2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| North Coast Academy of Sport | Kyogle, Tweed, Byron, Lismore, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| North Coast Academy of Sport | Kyogle, Tweed, Byron, Lismore, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| North Coast Academy of Sport | Kyogle, Tweed, Byron, Lismore, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings | 2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| Central Coast Academy of Sport | Central Coast Council area | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| Central Coast Academy of Sport | Central Coast Council area | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| Central Coast Academy of Sport | Central Coast Council area | 2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| Northern Inland Academy of Sport | Tamworth, Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell and as far north as Tenterfield, Moree, Narrabri, Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains, and Walcha | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| Northern Inland Academy of Sport | Tamworth, Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell and as far north as Tenterfield, Moree, Narrabri, Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains, and Walcha | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| Northern Inland Academy of Sport | Tamworth, Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell and as far north as Tenterfield, Moree, Narrabri, Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains, and Walcha | 2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| Western Region Academy of Sport | Bathurst Regional, Bland, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Forbes, Gilgandra, Hilltops, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| Western Region Academy of Sport | Bathurst Regional, Bland, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Forbes, Gilgandra, Hilltops, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| Western Region Academy of Sport | Bathurst Regional, Bland, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Forbes, Gilgandra, Hilltops, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin | 2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| Illawarra Academy of Sport | Wollongong, Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| Illawarra Academy of Sport | Wollongong, Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| Illawarra Academy of Sport | Wollongong, Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee | 2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| Southern Sports Academy | Albury, Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Edward River, Federation Greater Hume, Griffith, Hay, Hilltops Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Snowy Valleys, Temora Wagga Wagga, Wentworth |
Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| Southern Sports Academy | Albury, Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Edward River, Federation Greater Hume, Griffith, Hay, Hilltops Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Snowy Valleys, Temora Wagga Wagga, Wentworth |
Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| Southern Sports Academy | Albury, Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Edward River, Federation Greater Hume, Griffith, Hay, Hilltops Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Snowy Valleys, Temora Wagga Wagga, Wentworth |
2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| Western Sydney Academy of Sport | Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, City of Parramatta, Penrith and The Hills | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| Western Sydney Academy of Sport | Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, City of Parramatta, Penrith and The Hills | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| Western Sydney Academy of Sport | Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, City of Parramatta, Penrith and The Hills | 2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| South West Sydney Academy of Sport | Campbelltown, Camden, Liverpool and Wollondilly | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| South West Sydney Academy of Sport | Campbelltown, Camden, Liverpool and Wollondilly | Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| South West Sydney Academy of Sport | Campbelltown, Camden, Liverpool and Wollondilly | 2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| Far West Academy of Sport | Warren, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra Lachlan, Walgett, Warrumbungle |
Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 270000 | Currently ongoing |
| Far West Academy of Sport | Warren, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra Lachlan, Walgett, Warrumbungle |
Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| Far West Academy of Sport | Warren, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra Lachlan, Walgett, Warrumbungle |
2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |
| South East Sport Academy | Bega Valley Snowy Monaro Eurobodalla Queanbeyan-Palerang Goulburn-Mulwarree Yass Valley Upper Lachlan and Hilltops. |
Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Acadmies Athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activites | RAS Project A - Core service delivery | The project will support relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and accurate program evaluation to understand the impact and benefit of project funding focusing on Talent Development , Coach development, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, NSWIS and the Office | 706500 | Currently ongoing |
| South East Sport Academy | Bega Valley Snowy Monaro Eurobodalla Queanbeyan-Palerang Goulburn-Mulwarree Yass Valley Upper Lachlan and Hilltops. |
Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics | RAS Project B - Enhanced services | The project will deliver enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSWIS with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSWIS programs and provide pathway & development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches | 327270 | Three years |
| South East Sport Academy | Bega Valley Snowy Monaro Eurobodalla Queanbeyan-Palerang Goulburn-Mulwarree Yass Valley Upper Lachlan and Hilltops. |
2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding | RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities | The project will support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Radar program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements. | 127272 | One year |