The Northern Inland Academy of Sport have hit the sporting court for the last time this year.
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The NIAS 2020 Mountain Biking squad and 2021 netball program were both in action last weekend, but for different purposes.
Whilst the 2021 netball squad were warming up for their program with a pre-season training session, the 2020 Mountain Biking squad concluded their program with a tour to Rydal (near Lithgow) to compete in the Rocky Trail Entertainment JetBlack 24 Hour event.
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Making the trip down south to compete on the trails were coaches Michael Crummy and Alyssa Rogan along with seven of the NIAS mountain bikers.
Prior to competing, the athletes were led around the racing loop by multi-world title MTB winner and Cycling Australia's 2016 mountain bike rider of the year, Jason English.
Racing in the 6+6H junior male event was NIAS' Campbell Walsh, Jock Hollis and Jack Larkin with Tom Jenkins from Jetblack MTB racing team as the 'NIAS Allstars'.
Also competing in this category as the 'NIAS Chiefs' were Harry Fairfull, Lawson Walsh, Jack Mackay and Kaden Thistle.
The 6+6H event consists of team members racing for six hours on Saturday, and then again on the Sunday, in relay-style races where individuals from the team rotate to race laps. It was a colossal effort for all the NIAS riders who raced along the track to come away with a total of 49 laps completed between the two teams.
"It was a highly successful weekend for all of our riders. The weather added an extra challenge as it created varying trail conditions over the course of the 24-hour event, but everyone demonstrated great teamwork the entire weekend," head mountain biking coach Michael Crummy said.
Crummy competed in the 6+6H Team 2 mixed category with fellow coach Rogan. Together the pair rode their way to 24 laps around Rydal's almost 9km trail - riding an additional four laps more than the next placed team in the same category.
Meanwhile, 600km north of the mountain biking team, the 2020 NIAS netball program met in Glen Innes on Sunday for a pre-program training and fitness testing day.
The squad launched into the session for a combination of team training, match play, and pre-program fitness testing. As this was the first time the squad has met together since trialling, the athletes, coaches, and parents attended a squad lunch and information session hosted at the Glen Innes and District Services Club.
With a few girls trialling for the program on this day after being unable to attend the initial trial, NIAS would like to congratulate Neve Harris, Tarnee Ingram, Alexia Wineti and Bria Wineti for being selected in to the 2021 program.
The NIAS sporting programs will take a break over Christmas and will be ready to return in the New Year with sights set on higher achievements in 2021.
ATHLETICS PROGRAM
Applications are open for the 2021 Northern Inland Academy of Sport Athletics program.
This program offers high level coaching support, sport science testing support, regional training sessions, athlete education and skill acquisition.
To be eligible athletes must be turning 13-17 years of age in 2021 (born 2004-2008).
To be eligible for the athletics development squad, athletes must be turning 11-12 years of age in 2021 (born 2009-2010).
To apply, visit nias.org.au/Sports/Athletics
