Regional Academies of Sport and Tennis NSW Announce New Collaboration

The Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) and Tennis NSW are delighted to announce a groundbreaking partnership designed to advance the development of tennis athletes across New South Wales. This collaboration, integrating the RAS Tennis Program into the Tennis NSW athlete pathway, was officially launched during the 2024 NSW Country Championships in Forster on Tuesday, 9th July.

The RAS Tennis Program, targeting athletes aged 12-18, aims to identify and nurture talented players, enhancing their chances of selection for state development squads and teams. The program will focus on boosting success in competitions and events by providing athletes with comprehensive performance support and educational resources. This includes tailored Performance Support solutions such as nutrition, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, media training, and mental health and wellbeing education.

A total of 32 athletes have been selected to participate in the RAS Tennis Program, gaining access to a full range of support services tailored to their specific needs to promote their development in tennis. The selected athletes are:

• Anne Malligan (SESA)
• Ashton McLeod (WSAS)
• Aydin Hope (CCAS)
• Ben Spotswood (NCAS)
• Brydan Mcleod (WSAS)
• Coco Purcell (WSAS)
• Cooper Jenkinson (HAS)
• Eamon Shiel (SESA)
• Ella McLeod (HAS)
• Ella Stares (SWSAS)
• Finn Mcdonaugh (HAS)
• Isaac Elson (HAS)
• Jack Smith (HAS)
• Jessica Kelly (HAS)
• Lazar Naumovski (CCAS)
• Lindon Lempriere (CCAS)
• Lleython Jenkinson (HAS)
• Maddison Stares (SWSAS)
• Matilda Daniel (NCAS)
• Myles Manning (NIAS)
• Noah Pociask (HAS)
• Oscar Hibbert (HAS)
• Owen Edwards (SSA)
• Owen Lees (CCAS)
• Phoebe Godward-Smith (SSA)
• Sandra Stojanovic (SWSAS)
• Shyla Kelly (HAS)
• Tully McCarthy (IAS)
• Veljko Maksimovic (HAS)
• Zac Creenaune (NCAS)
• Zac McEvoy (IAS)
• Zac Richter (SESA)

Brett O’Farrell, Chair of the RAS and CEO of the Hunter and Central Coast Academies of Sport, expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to announce this partnership at such a prestigious event as the NSW Country Championships. This initiative will provide invaluable support to our regional athletes, fostering their growth and success in tennis.”

Darren Simpson, Tennis NSW Chief Executive Officer, added, “The Regional Academies of Sport have been a cornerstone of the sporting pathway in NSW for decades, and Tennis NSW is delighted to engage with them more formally for the benefit of our regional athletes.”

Brett Bevan, Tennis NSW Director and Chair of Tennis Country, also commented, “We are excited to embark on this partnership with the Regional Academies of Sport, marking a monumental step in our commitment to nurturing the next generation of tennis talent in NSW. This collaboration is more than just a program; it’s a promise to our young athletes that we will provide them with the best possible opportunities to grow, compete, and excel both on and off the court.”