One of the many casualties of last weekend’s , the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) made the difficult decision to cancel the 33rd Annual Academy Awards for public safety.
“Our fabulous partner and host, the Armidale City Bowling Club, has been outstanding in their support and is not charging NIAS, which means we will be able to provide full refunds for those who purchased tickets to the event,” said NIAS CEO, Shona Eichorn.
While the original event cannot be replicated, a smaller event will be held on Sunday 12 October at Wests Tamworth for major award recipients, coaches/volunteers, sponsors, and the Board.
“Re-scheduling this event has proven more challenging than first anticipated. However, we have tried to find a compromise, which, while not perfect, is a concerted effort to recognise our athletes and thank our key stakeholders,” Eichorn added.
The disappointing end for the year is, however, the start of a whole new chapter for the NIAS, to be brought under new parent organisation Regional Academies of Sport.
“We look forward to providing an enhanced offering of individual athlete pathway program opportunities in 2025–2026 under our new parent organisation – Regional Academies of Sport Ltd (RAS Ltd), starting 1 September 2025,” said Eichorn.
Major Award Recipients (2024–2025)
(Selected in June)
- Female Athlete of the Year: Isabella (Bella) Henderson – Scone/Armidale, Future Stars – Rowing
- Male Athlete of the Year: Archie Clarke – Tamworth, Hockey
- Indigenous Athlete of the Year: Makenna Barnett-Suey – Tamworth, Hockey
- Col Burt Memorial Coach of the Year: Kane Butler – Tamworth, Basketball Boys’ Head Coach
These four recipients will be invited to attend the NSW Regional Academies of Sport Global Awards in Sydney, February 2026, and will participate in an Athlete Leadership Workshop, supported by Steadfast, Clubs NSW, and the NSW Office of Sport.
Additional Major Awards
- Chair’s Award: Teddy Hampton – Tamworth, Future Stars Program – Athletics
- Life Member Award: Steve McMillan – Armidale, Media Support (Radio 100.3 & 2AD)
- Communicator of the Year: Orlando York – Tamworth, Tennis
- Sarah Heagney Memorial Award: Amy Evans – Tamworth, Netball Assistant Coach
- Scotty Campbell Memorial Award (Volunteer of the Year): Kylie Ralston – Tamworth, Basketball
Sport-Specific Awards
Each sport program also presented awards for Most Improved, Most Dedicated, Coaches Award, and Athlete of the Year Nominee. These recipients will be celebrated on NIAS social media and other community channels over the coming week.
Sport Most Improved Most Dedicated Coaches Award Athlete of the Year Nominee Basketball – Boys Lachlan Alker* Flynn Royall* Mason Hill* Thomas McMullen* Basketball – Girls Ruby Brooks* Emily Peeters* Mackenzie Kelly* Jessica Murphy* Future Stars Charlie Ward (Guyra) Bella Henderson (Scone/Armidale) Malusi Macikama* Teddy Hampton* & Bella Henderson Golf Jake Inman (Armidale) – Clancy Lawlor (Armidale) Issac Riches (Armidale) Hockey – 16 Boys Oliver Richards* Elliott Rodda* Daniel Williams* – Hockey – 16 Girls Olivia Fitzpatrick* Tabitha Havas (Uralla) Ashlee Morgan (Armidale) – Hockey – 18 Boys Thomas Holmes* Luke Schmude (Armidale) Jack Kellaway (Armidale) Archie Clarke* Hockey – 18 Girls Dominique Baker (Armidale) Chilali Baggins-Cupitt (Armidale) Phillipa Mattheus* Makenna Barnett-Suey* Mountain Bike Kaden McIntosh* Tyler Phillips* Cameron McDonald* & Jock Barwick* Ben Shaw* Netball & Umpire Claudia Sykes (Moree/Armidale) Mia Watson (Glen Innes) Evie O’Brien* Evie O’Brien* Tennis Macy Graham* Trista Dorrian (Armidale) Molly Murphy (Narrabri) Sam Savovski* Triathlon Jethro Gosson* – Sam Ferguson* Sam Ferguson*
*Indicates athlete from Tamworth Regional LGA
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