From July 15 to 18, 44 of the most promising athletes and para-athletes from across the 11 Regional Academies of Sport came together in Coffs Harbour for the 2025 Regional Talent Athlete Program (RTAP). Hosted by the North Coast Academy of Sport, the camp provided a high-level development experience focusing on personal growth, physical preparation, and life as an elite regional athlete.
The Illawarra Academy of Sport was well represented at the event and sent some of our top performing athletes to the RTAP Camp in Coffs Harbour:
- Jake Barritt (Triathlon)
- Sidney Bartle (Future stars – Athletics)
- Drew Cooney (Future stars – Athletics)
- Jack Gibson (Para Sports – Triathlon)
- Sam Peoples (Hockey)
Illawarra Academy of Sport Strength & Conditioning coach Sophie Edwards also attended the RTAP Camp as part of her training and development.
Held at the Coffs Coast Adventure Centre and Southern Cross University, the program included a mix of expert-led seminars, strength and conditioning workshops, practical skill-building, and inclusive team activities.
The camp began with a sports psychology workshop led by Marni Hietbrink, who explored common mental health challenges faced by young athletes, including managing pressure, time management, and maintaining balance across training, school, and social life. In the afternoon, athletes were put to the test on a physically demanding commando course, which encouraged teamwork and pushed participants outside of their comfort zones.
Day 2 focused on physical performance, with athletes taking part in tailored strength and conditioning sessions run by ACE Performance and Zenon Kowalczyk. These were followed by a hands-on nutrition session with Kelsey Tobin from Nutrient Nation, where athletes learned how to fuel their performance with easy and effective pre- and post-training snacks. Chris Winn facilitated the afternoon session, focusing on athlete branding. He spoke about how athletes can develop their personal brand and seek sponsorship opportunities that align with their values and identity. The day wrapped up with a competitive round of Capture the Flag, promoting teamwork and fun.
Day 3 featured a second practical S&C session, followed by an inspiring presentation from five-time Olympian and two-time diving medallist Melissa Wu. Melissa shared her journey as an elite athlete and answered questions from the group, with a follow-up session designed specifically for female athletes to talk about their unique sporting experiences in a safe and open space.
Later that day, Paralympian Paul Nunnari introduced the athletes to wheelchair basketball, offering a firsthand perspective on para-sport through an inclusive and engaging team activity. The afternoon concluded with a joint Q&A session featuring both Paul and Olympic surfer Owen Wright, who shared honest insights into the highs and lows of elite sport. A male-only Q&A followed, allowing the young men to reflect and connect over topics unique to their own athletic journeys.
“I enjoyed all the activities and the practical things we got to do. All the nutrition sessions were helpful and the question and answer sessions with Olympians and the other sports people were helpful. It was good to hear what they had to say about their experiences and what they did to get to high levels in their sport,” Illawarra Academy of Sport hammer throw and discus throw athlete Sidney Bartle said.
“Some of the things that I want to use that I learnt from the RTAP Camp are things like the nutrition information, all the tips that I got given by the athletes who have competed at high levels, all the information from the media session and all the practical sessions that we did helped.”
Illawarra Academy of Sport Strength & Conditioning coach Sophie Edwards said the RTAP Camp was beneficial to the athletes and for her individual career path as well.
“The RTAP Camp was a success and the Illawarra Academy of Sport athletes got a lot out of it,” Edwards said.
“All athletes appeared to have enjoyed themselves and participated in all of the activities, representing the Illawarra Academy of Sport wonderfully.
“It was a great opportunity for them to meet fellow athletes and make friends with familiar faces they have seen but never officially met.
“On a personal level, I was able to engage with different staff from other Regional Academies and become aware of potential career pathways. I have gained a particular interest in the para-sport space.”
The 2025 RTAP program once again highlighted the importance of investing in young regional talent—providing athletes with practical tools, connection, and inspiration as they continue their sporting development.
A sincere thank you to our expert presenters, guest speakers, and event partners for their incredible support—and to the athletes for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment throughout the week.
