TWELVE young athletes from Port Macquarie and Camden Haven have been recognised for their sporting prowess at the recent North Coast Academy of Sport Annual Awards in Coffs Harbour.
The 12 award winners included:
– Brenton Mance, Bonny Hills – AFL Most Outstanding Athlete.
– Haidyn Taylor, Lake Cathie – Hockey Leadership Award.
– Levi Skreja, Port Macquarie – Basketball Encouragement Award.
– Tallin Morris, Port Macquarie – Basketball Leadership Award & Overall NCAS Leadership Award.
– Adam Jennings, Port Macquarie – Hockey (Greater Bank Community Values Award.
– Lily Rowlatt, Port Macquarie – Hockey Greater Bank Community Values Award.
– Ruby Williams, Port Macquarie – Netball Umpires Encouragement Award.
– Lola Welsh, Port Macquarie – Netball Umpires Most Outstanding Award.
– Zoe Townsend, Port Macquarie – Netball Most Outstanding Athlete Award.
– Brinkley McHugh, Port Macquarie – Niki Taylor Memorial Award.
– Madden Thomas, Port Macquarie – Skateboarding Encouragement Award.
– John Haveland, Port Macquarie – Triathlon Most Improved Award.
Adam Jennings and Lily Rowlatt were also recognised with Greater Bank Community Values Awards.
The annual event celebrated another successful year for the Academy, recognising excellence across all NCAS programs, as well as acknowledging the athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters who continue to strengthen high-performance sport throughout the region.
Para-athlete Ayla Kowalczyk received the evening’s highest honour, the prestigious Darrel Chapman Memorial Athlete of the Year Award after she claimed the bronze medal in the T38 long jump at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. It followed her outstanding performance at the Australian Championships, where she secured two silver and one bronze medal.
North Coast Academy of Sport Regional Manager, Sue Charles said the Awards provided an opportunity to celebrate not only athletic success, but also the people and partnerships that make their achievements possible.
“Our award recipients and nominees represent the very best of regional sport,” Mrs Charles said
“Their achievements reflect the strength of the high-performance pathway available to young athletes across the North Coast.
“Their talent is matched by their commitment, resilience and determination to continually improve.”
Mrs Charles said the young athletes’ successes had been made possible by the dedication of their coaches, managers and volunteers, the unwavering support of parents and carers, and the contribution of the academy’s program partners.
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