Regional Academies of Sport and Tennis NSW Announce New Partnership
The Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) and Tennis NSW are excited to announce a significant new partnership aimed at enhancing the development of tennis athletes throughout New South Wales. This collaboration, which integrates the RAS Tennis Program into the Tennis NSW athlete pathway, was officially launched at an event at the 2024 NSW Country Championships held in Forster on Tuesday, 9th July.
The RAS Tennis Program will target athletes aged 12-18 and aims to identify talented athletes to enhance their opportunities for selection into state development squads and state teams. This will be achieved through a focus on increasing the level of success at competitions and events by offering athletes access to comprehensive performance support and educational resources, thus improving their exposure to critical development areas. The program will deliver tailored performance support solutions, including nutrition, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, media training, and mental health and wellbeing education.
Southern Sports Academy has one athlete selected to participate in the RAS Tennis Program. Athletes will have access to the program’s full range of support services, tailored to meet their specific needs and promote their development in tennis. The selected athletes for Southern Sports Academy are:
Phoebe Godward-Smith (SSA)
Brett O’Farrell, Chair of the RAS and Chief Executive Officer of the Hunter and Central Coast Academies of Sport, said of the partnership, “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.”
Tennis NSW Chief Executive Officer Darren Simpson said, “The Regional Academies of Sport have been part of the sporting pathway in NSW for decades, and Tennis NSW is delighted that this program provides a way for us to engage with them more formally for the benefit of our regional athletes.”
Brett Bevan, Tennis NSW Director and Chair of Tennis Country, added, “We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with the Regional Academies of Sport, which represents 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.”