The Hunter Academy of Sport's core objective is to identify, educate, develop and provide opportunity to the region's most promising athletes, but each year they like to motivate the local community to get active and take up a sport.

This event stems from the original Festival of Sport, which the Hunter Academy of Sport, alongside major sponsors Greater Bank and this year, Lake Macquarie City Council, hold each year.

For more than 25 years, sports organisations from across the Hunter have opened their doors to participants, giving kids the opportunity to try something new.

"This event is not only for the young at age, it's for the young at heart. I want dads, mums, brothers and sisters to come along, and enjoy themselves" Hunter Academy of Sport chief executive officer Brett O'Farrell said.

Meanwhile, HAS has officially kicked off its 2019/20 season, opening nominations for seven of their elite development programs for athletes from the Hunter Region.

In 2018, more than 500 talented young sportspeople completed in HAS programs.

Nominations for the 2019/20 cycling, hockey, lawn bowls, golf, AFL development, AFL talent and softball programs are now opened. Interest has been flooding in from junior athletes throughout the Hunter.

To nominate, or to find out more about the programs available, visit www.hunteracademy.org.au.