Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS): About Us

The Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) is an incorporated, autonomous, community based organization established in November 1992 to identify and prepare talented sportspeople in the Northern Inland region to reach their maximum potential, on and off the field!

Mission: To provide opportunities, pathways and access to skill development, Athlete and Coach support services that will develop individual potential, and support those identified talented sportspeople in making the transition to higher levels of competition and performance.

Our mission is achieved by providing talent development programs, support and activities to sport in the region. This assistance helps our athletes overcome major disadvantages compared to their city counterparts. sadvantages include the tyranny of distance, lack of access to quality coaching on a regular basis, inadequate regular high quality competition and limited exposure to state sporting bodies.

A) Athlete and Coach support strategies
The 5 key strategies by which the NIAS delivers sport services to the Northern Inland NSW Community are:

1. Structured Program Of Regional Talent (SPORT): Quality programs conducted in the Northern inland region of NSW in partnership with regional and state sporting bodies. Programs underpin NSWIS or other state based underpinning development programs.

2. Regional Athlete and Coach Education Centres (RACE): Centres set up in Glen Innes, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Tamworth and Armidale to provide presentations and workshops on Sports Medicine, Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Sun safe Sport, Job resume and interview skills, Media presentation and public speaking workshops to athletes, parents and coaches.

3. Individual “Lonestar” Scholarship Program: Individual cash and support scholarships for high performing state and national ranked athletes who reside in the region. In 2006 11 athletes from 7 different sports were provided with scholarships.

4. Athlete subsidy and financial support scheme: Financial support to assist Academy athletes and their families defray the cost of participating in Academy programs via sponsorship from Clubs NSW North West and the NIAS. Cash support was also provided for NIAS athletes at State and National level.

5. Coach Development: Subsidies to program staff to increase their skills and attend relevant courses.

The Academy covers the whole of the North West of NSW from Tenterfield in the North, Ebor to the East, Coonabarabran in the West and Quirindi to the South. The Academy's administration base office is in Tamworth. An 8 member volunteer Board oversees the running of the Academy with the day to day operations undertaken by an Executive Officer and an sports program officer. Athletes and other key stakeholders are the focus of continuously improving practices, ensuring the most up to date and professional support is continually provided to the athletes and sports programs.

The Academy is a community based Organisation that relies on the support of the region to continue to offer increased opportunities to talented young sports people. Sponsor recognition, community servicing, fundraising events, media and PR relations are integrated to ensure a consistent and professional image for the Northern Inland Academy of Sport.

The Academy currently coordinates 10 programs, Netball, Hockey (boys and girls), Football (boys and girls), Swimming, Touch, Rugby, Tennis, Triathlon, Individual Scholarship Lone Star program and a Regional Athlete and Coach Education (RACE) program to identify and support 180 athletes and 30 coaches in the North West/New England. The Academy utilises the support network and links in with other providers of sport development to administer the programs. Coaching development pathways are provided via the NIAS and coaches are encouraged and supported to develop their skills and knowledge. The Academy, where appropriate, ensures that sessions and activities are conducted throughout the region at various locations.