The Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of its Annual Academy Awards, held on Saturday, 10 August, at Wests League Club in Tamworth. This prestigious event brought together the region’s most promising athletes, dedicated coaches, generous sponsors, and committed partners to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the
2023/2024 season.

The evening was graced by the presence of two distinguished guests: Katie Ebzery, a dual Olympian who represented Australia in Basketball (Opals) at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and Evan O’Hanlon, a dual Paralympian and champion in Athletics at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic Games. Both athletes delivered inspiring responses in a Q&A hosted by 92.9FM’s “JB”, sharing their journeys and offering invaluable insights to the young athletes in attendance.

Major Award Recipients:
• Male Athlete of the Year: Ben Shaw (Mountain Bike), Tamworth – Awarded for the second consecutive year
• Female Athlete of the Year: Delika Boney (Netball), Tamworth
• Indigenous Athlete of the Year: Nya Quinlan (Netball), Armidale
• Chair’s Award: Sam Ferguson (Triathlon), Tamworth
• Scott Campbell Memorial Award – Volunteer of the Year: Donna McClelland (Boys
Basketball Coach), Glen Innes
• Life Member Awards: Pat Lonegan (Glen Innes) and Chris Ash (Tamworth)
• Sarah Heagney Memorial Award: Dana Dehm (Netball), Tamworth
• Coaches Award: Helen Willis (Girls’ Hockey Coach), Tamworth – Awarded for the second year

Paralympic champion Evan O’Hanlon captivated the audience with a powerful message, urging the athletes to embrace the present moment with determination and focus. “Your time is now!” he declared, encouraging the young athletes to fully commit to their training and ambitions. “You don’t want to look back and regret what could have been,” O’Hanlon advised, highlighting the importance of seizing every opportunity to improve.

Olympian Katie Ebzery echoed this sentiment, sharing her experiences of the personal sacrifices required to achieve success at the highest level. She spoke candidly about the choices athletes must make, such as prioritising training over social events, and emphasised the importance of learning from the many coaches they will encounter throughout their journeys. As a proud graduate of the Hunter Academy of Sport Basketball program, Ebzery urged the athletes to make the most of the opportunities provided by the Regional Academies of Sport. Both O’Hanlon and Ebzery left the athletes with a resounding message: hard work, dedication, and the willingness to make sacrifices are the keys to success in their chosen fields. The evening concluded with a strong sense of purpose, gratitude and determination among the athletes, who are now more inspired to pursue their dreams.