The 2025 Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) Conferences, held on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st May at Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi, brought together over 200 coaches, performance staff, and sports professionals from across New South Wales for two days of learning, collaboration and inspiration.
Hosted by the Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS) on behalf of the RAS network, the back-to-back events reaffirmed the network’s commitment to advancing coaching and performance support across regional NSW, ensuring athletes have access to world-class expertise, no matter where they live.
Performance Support Conference – Friday, 30 May
The 2025 RAS Performance Support Conference focused on strength and conditioning, sports science and athlete wellbeing. It was designed to support the ongoing development of high-performance staff working with pre-elite athletes across the state.
Attendees included performance staff from all 11 Regional Academies of Sport: Central Coast, Far West, Illawarra, Hunter, North Coast, Northern Inland, South East, South West Sydney, Southern, Western Region and Western Sydney.
Guest Speakers Included:
- Tim Horan – Former Australian Rugby Union Footballer and media personality
- Ricky Dumigan – Professional High Performance Coach
- Oliver Janzac – Chef de la Maison de la Performance, CREPS de Toulouse
- James Tatham – AIS Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Marianne Loh – NSWIS Head of Para Unit
- Kelly-Anne Redman – NSWIS Strength and Conditioning Practitioner
- Amee Donohoe – Former Professional Surfer and Coach
- Maris Lidims – Performance Coach, Coach Educator and Coach Developer
- Ben Tripodi & Henry Jones – Lumin
- Robert Harris – VALD
Coaching Conference – Saturday, 31 May
The 2025 RAS Coaching Conference followed with over 130 regional coaches, administrators and staff gathering for a dynamic day of professional development and recognition. The event celebrated the vital role of volunteer coaches in the pre-elite athlete pathway and provided a platform for upskilling and connection.
Guest Speakers Included:
- Josh Katz – Judo Olympian
- Nathan Katz – Former Judo Olympian and Coach
- Ricky Dumigan – Professional High Performance Coach
- Lisa Beehag OAM – Professional Netball Coach
- Rodney Eade – Former AFL Head Coach
- Oliver Janzac – Chef de la Maison de la Performance, CREPS de Toulouse
- Alan McConnell – NSWIS High Performance Coach Development
- Sarah Skidmore – Paralympics Australia, Pathways Specialist
- James Tatham – AIS Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Brad McGee OAM – NSWIS High Performance Coach Advisor
- Holly Edstein – NSWIS Head of Nutrition
- Rob Mullard – NSWIS Sports Physiotherapist
- Marianne Loh – NSWIS Head of Para Unit
- Sean Cooney – NSWIS Performance Health Manager
- Kelly-Anne Redman – NSWIS Strength and Conditioning Practitioner
- Adam Kable – NSWIS Swimming Head Coach
- Marni Hietbrink – Performance Psychologist
Following the Coaching Conference, attendees gathered at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal for the Sportsperson Dinner, a relaxed and celebratory evening that honoured the contributions of coaches and support staff. The dinner featured a lively panel discussion with Rodney Eade, Lisa Beehag OAM, and Olivier Janzac, who shared stories and insights from their careers in elite sport.
The RAS network extends its sincere thanks to the event sponsors: NSW Office of Sport, NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS), Steadfast, UAA, Mingara Recreation Club and Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific for their continued support in making these events possible.