Following months of negotiation, another sport will be officially included in the suite of program offerings at the Northern Inland Academy of Sport for the 2025-2026 season.
Under a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the Regional Academies of Sport and Softball NSW, NIAS is delighted to announce that Softball will makes its return to the regional performance pathway program in this region. The Northern Inland program joins the Hunter, Central Coast and Western Sydney Regional Academies of Sport in delivering a program for talented regional Softball athletes and coaches.
“Softball was one of the five foundation sports which commenced in NIAS 33 years ago,” said CEO Shona Eichorn.
“It’s great to see its resurgence in the region. The fact that it is again included as an Olympic sport for LA in 2028 (after its’ non-inclusion in the 2012, 2016 & 2024 Olympics) provides a lot of pathway opportunities and incentive for regional athletes.”
The Northern Inland Academy of Sport is currently working with Softball NSW and Tamworth Softball to identify suitably qualified coaching and support personnel to conduct the program. Athlete Nominations for both boys and girls (aged 13-15 years in 2025 – born 2010-2012) will be advertised soon, with Selection Trials to be held in Tamworth on Sunday, 19 October, and the first commitment for those selected in the program on Sunday, 9 November, at Lake Keepit, Gunnedah for Induction Day.
“NIAS has had quite a few talented athletes from the Softball program selected in higher representative honours in past years, many going on to state or national selection. The immediate past Captain of the Australian Softball team, Stacey Porter, who retired after the Tokyo Olympics is a NIAS graduate. In offering Softball again, we hope to identify and inspire more athletes like Stacey Porter in the future,” said Eichorn.
Advertising with New England Times is a cost effective and reliable way to reach New England locals who are interested and engaged. Find out more here.