Regional Academies of Sport Ltd Expands with North Coast and Southern Joining the
Hunter and Central Coast Academies

The Regional Academies of Sport Ltd (RAS Ltd) has taken a significant step forward, announcing that the North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) and the Southern Sports Academy (SSA) will now operate under its centralised governance model. This move brings together the Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS), the Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS),
NCAS and SSA to form a unified organisation aimed at strengthening the delivery of high performance pathways and development opportunities for young athletes across New South Wales.

While this expansion marks an important milestone, each Academy will maintain its regional identity and operations. The four Academies will continue to operate locally, with offices
and programs based in their respective regions, ensuring that their unique connection to the community remains at the forefront of their work.

The transition to a centralised model under RAS Ltd brings new efficiencies and allows staff to specialise in key areas. By centralising certain functions, such as administration,
marketing and sponsorship coordination, the Academies will benefit from streamlined operations, freeing up resources to focus on athlete development and program delivery.
Brett O’Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of RAS Ltd, emphasised the benefits of this collaboration. “Bringing North Coast and Southern into the RAS Ltd framework is an exciting
development for the future of regional sport in NSW. This shared services model enables us to combine resources and expertise while preserving the unique regional identity of each
Academy. It’s about strengthening what we do and ensuring we can continue to deliver the highest standard of support to our athletes, coaches, and communities.”

It is worth noting that as part of the merge, a regional advisory committee has been established to ensure regional voices are heard.

This integration will not only enhance operational efficiency but also open new opportunities for collaboration and innovation across the Academies. By sharing best
practices and working together, the Academies are better positioned to deliver programs that empower young athletes and prepare them for success on and off the field.

Mark Calverley, former Chief Executive Officer of SSA and now Chief Operating Officer of RAS Ltd commented, “Southern Sports Academy is excited to join RAS Ltd, a move that
strengthens our collective ability to deliver world-class programs for regional athletes. This collaboration enhances our operational efficiency, increases resources, and ensures a
seamless pathway for athletes and coaches to achieve their sporting aspirations. Together, we are building a stronger future for regional sport in New South Wales.”

D’Arcy Van den Bossche, Regional Manager of the NCAS, followed, “The expansion NCAS is undergoing in joining Hunter, Central Coast and Southern Academies of Sport under a single
operation only strengthens NCAS’s ability to achieve our ongoing mission of supporting athletes and coaches along high-performance pathways. We are combining shared
resources from our four regions all with a commitment to maintaining what it means to be a North Coast athlete. We are already seeing the benefits of efficiencies and a wider staff
expertise base, and we can not wait to dig into 2025.”

RAS Ltd’s commitment to maintaining strong ties within each region ensures that the voices and needs of local communities remain central to its mission. With this new structure in
place, the Academies are set to build on their proud history of fostering the next generation of sporting talent across New South Wales.