While most local kids will be looking to spend their July school holidays playing games, five locals will be touching grass instead of controllers, and furthering their elite sporting goals.
The five young athletes from the Northern Inland region have been chosen to attend the inaugural Regional Talented Athlete Program (RTAP), a new statewide initiative designed to develop emerging sporting talent for elite-level competition.
Hosted by the North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS), the three-day immersive camp will take place in Coffs Harbour during the July school holidays. Around 50 of the state’s most promising athletes will take part in high-performance activities including fitness testing, mindset coaching, sport science workshops and nutrition education led by experts from the world of elite sport.
Representing the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) at the camp will be:
- Luke Whitty (Hockey)
- Teddy Hampton (Future Stars – Athletics)
- Isabella Henderson (Future Stars – Rowing)
- Abbie Peet (Future Stars – Para Athletics)
- Ben Shaw (Mountain Biking)
Armidale Hockey player Luke Whitty said he was “pretty stoked” about his selection.
“I’m going to trust the process and not give up,” he said.
Luke, who plays for both the United Hockey Team and Tamworth Workies, balances six days a week of training, playing, school, and a carpet-laying apprenticeship. He credits his early development to Greg Doolan from the New England representative team and hopes to one day represent Australia.
Fellow NIAS athlete Isabella ‘Bella’ Henderson, from Armidale, is also excited about the opportunity.
“I’m blown away,” she said.
“Sport has always been a big part of my identity — it’s my passion, my love.”
A student at The Armidale School (TAS), Bella has competed in swimming, rugby, and netball, with rowing her latest sporting pursuit.
“I’m always throwing myself into different sports,” she said.
Fifteen-year-old Ben Shaw, from Tamworth, will represent NIAS in mountain biking. The current under 15 NSW champion in cross-country mountain biking, Ben also competes in road cycling at a national level and has international racing experience.
“I was like any other kid — I did it for fun,” Ben said.
“Then I jumped on a bike and I was just naturally good at it.”
A former NIAS Athlete of the Year, Ben said the RTAP will give him a chance to learn and grow.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, learn more about being a high-performance athlete, and push my limits.”
Future Stars athletes Teddy Hampton and Abbie Peet were also selected. Teddy, a pole vaulter from Kootingal, aims to qualify for the World Under 20 Championships and ultimately the Olympics. Abbie, a para-athlete from Tamworth who made her international debut last year, is also focused on future elite-level goals.
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