An Olympic cyclist will headline the 33rd annual Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) Academy Awards, to be held in Armidale this weekend.
Kristina Clonan, who represented Australia in track cycling at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will be the special guest at the event, bringing her story of perseverance and change from regional Queensland to the talented athletes of the New England and North West.
The NIAS Academy Awards will be held at the Armidale City Bowling Club on Saturday 2 August, recognising athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters from across the region.
Clonan’s visit is part of the Australian Olympic Committee’s Olympics Unleashed program, and she will spend time at local schools as well as visiting the Armidale Bicycle Centre on Saturday morning. The store is owned by former Australian Olympic Cycling Team mechanic and NIAS Board member Jock Bullen and his son Mark.
NIAS CEO Shona Eichorn said the event is both a celebration of regional sporting success and a moment of inspiration for young athletes.
“It seems like only yesterday when the first Academy Awards were held in Armidale,” said Ms Eichorn, who was the inaugural CEO of the organisation from 1992 to 1997 and has returned to lead the Academy again.
“In addition to recognising the numerous athletes and coaches’ achievements and contributions from sponsors and community, and announcing Female and Male Athlete of the Year and Coach of the Year, we also will announce our Indigenous Athlete of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
“We are also very excited to be hosting Olympian Kristina Clonan and look forward to hearing her inspirational story.”
Since its founding in 1992, NIAS has supported more than 4000 athletes and 400 coaches and managers across a range of sports, helping them to develop both on and off the field.
Ahead of the awards ceremony, the NIAS Board will host a special event to mark another major milestone — the transition from an Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee under the umbrella of Regional Academies of Sport Ltd.
Chair of the NIAS Board, Chris Ash, said the shift is a strategic move designed to strengthen the Academy’s operations.
“Following the undertaking of an extensive consultation period of due diligence with a range of various stakeholders and receiving respective independent legal advice, the move to the unified model of operation will provide greater consistency across the state and enhance our operations and offerings in the Northern Inland,” Mr Ash said.
“Whilst it might be the end of one chapter, it will see the beginning of new era as the opportunities this significant change presents will directly benefit all of our stakeholders in the future. We’re excited for the next steps.”
The NIAS Academy Awards will include presentations for male and female athlete of the year, coach of the year, Indigenous athlete of the year, and volunteer of the year, alongside recognition of sponsors and community supporters.
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