NIAS: Talent identification program unveiled for Indigenous youth

The increase in opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth within the North West will be facilitated through a talent identification program that is sponsored by UAA.

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NIAS will be facilitating this program in the second half of the year, to help inspire these young members of society to engage in and maintain active and healthy lifestyles, whilst providing the additional opportunity of life pathways through sport.

All up, five of the 11 Regional Academies of Sport (RASi) throughout the state will implement the TIP. The Central Coast academy has run the program for a number of years.

The initiative will benefit over 650 young Indigenous athletes across the state.

NIAS chief executive James Cooper said: "This is a significant opportunity for these six academies to be producing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in regional areas.

"This program will bridge gaps that have been identified within these societies and provide not only valuable experiences, but opportunity to those that need it and will benefit from it considerably."

NIAS will select athletes for the TIP from a talent identification day. The athletes will receive fully funded scholarships provided through UAA.

These scholarships will also provide athletes with additional support when seeking to further their education.

With NIAS already providing on and off-field education to athletes across 12 sporting programs, the TIP will enhance sporting and educational possibilities for those in the community who otherwise would not have the chance to do so.

UAA Group chief executive Michael Murphy said: "Our approach with internships is to provide individuals with a career path which requires discipline.

"Extreme discipline is required to be an elite athlete and it's the same for an education. Unfortunately within the indigenous community, there is a high fall-off rate between year 10 and year 12 and going to university."

By operating this program, NIAS will be able to encourage and increase the number of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander individuals who pursue higher education.

UAA is also sponsoring NIAS's first girls rugby league program. The players had their first training session on Sunday and will have another training session next month.

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