The Northern Inland Academy of Sport is set for a big year on the sporting field.
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Athletes from NIAS's golf, netball and hockey programs will be the first to return to training in 2021.
Basketball will return shortly after that, with the mountain biking squad set to have their first training session at the end of February.
Leading the squad will be returning head coach Michael Crummy, along with returning assistant coaches Alyssa Rogan and Martin Siddons.
New to the Academy in 2021 is a revamped football program.
Whilst NIAS has run football programs in the past, this program will offer intensified outcomes to a large range of eligible athletes.
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NIAS has partnered with Northern New South Wales Football, keeping the program in alignment with the national football pathway.
The program will be comprised of age-appropriate programs, ensuring every athlete has a clear pathway to progression.
The content of these programs will be tailored to improving the skill levels associated with these ages.
NIAS chief executive James Cooper said: "Bringing this program to fruition means NIAS will be the only academy of sport offering a football program of its kind.
"Once trials take place in February, the program will get underway, bringing with it an entirely new cohort of young achievers into the Academy.
"So this is a very exciting and groundbreaking step for NIAS to be taking in 2021."
Players born in 2013 and 2014 can trial for the junior football program, which runs for 30 weeks.
Players born between 2009 and 2012 can trial for the regional skills-acquisition program or the regional high-performance program underpinning the SAP program.
Also on offer is the regional high-performance program for players born between 2005 and 2008, as well as Northern League 1 (for those born between 2005 and 2008).
Each of these programs offer skill development for athletes across 30-40 weeks, with up to two 90-minute training sessions per week with the region's top coaches.
Congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected to represent NIAS in its mountain biking program: Jock Barwick (Loomberah); Andy Blair (Uralla); Kalean Blair (Uralla); Harrison Crowley (Tamworth); Thomas Dundon (Armidale); Jock Hollis (Inverell); Leon Hystek (Moonbi); Fraser McQueen (Armidale); Ashton Scales (Gunnedah); Benjamin Shaw (Tamworth); Campbell Walsh (Inverell); Lawson Walsh (Inverell).
