As Newcastle Jets captain Nigel Boogaard prepares for the biggest game of his career this week with a hometown A-League grand final, his former school are looking to usher in the next round of potential sports stars.
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Hunter Sports High School (HSHS) are just weeks away from holding trials for their 2019 talented sport programs with applications set to close in less than a fortnight.
Intakes for next year will benefit from the state’s newest educational infrastructure to go with some of the region’s best coaches.
The school’s $42.1 million redevelopment is set for completion in December, meaning those starting the 2019 school year will be using what HSHS director of sport James Pascoe described as “truly world-class” facilities.
Boogaard is on a long list of former students who have gone on from the school to reach the elite heights of their sport, including rugby league superstar Greg Inglis and Australian hockey player Mariah Williams.
Hunter Sports High School is the region’s only dedicated sports school, one of seven in NSW.
The school supports the holistic development of student athletes, balancing individual needs in both the classroom and sporting settings.
As part of the wider NSW Sports High School Association, the school recently signed off on a formalised partnership with Cricket NSW, Basketball NSW, Baseball NSW and Hockey NSW.
Similar partnerships are expected with NSWRL and Netball NSW.
The school also has MOU agreements with the Hunter’s two professional sporting organisations, Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets, which enables students to participate in development days and be scouted for selection in elite pathways if they are not already involved.
The close links also often enable the sharing of coaching and training resources.
Talented sport program applications close on Thursday, May 10 with trials commencing from the following Monday (April 14).
Application forms for 2019 can be found on the school’s website.