Celebrating 30 Years of NASCA

This October, NASCA proudly marks its 30th anniversary, a significant milestone celebrating three decades of unwavering commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and communities. From its origins rooted in sport to its current comprehensive focus on Culture, Education, and Community, NASCA's journey reflects a powerful story of adaptation, resilience, and profound impact.

NASCA’s story began in 1995, when David Liddiard, a Ngarabal man and Rugby League champion, made the life-changing decision to establish an Indigenous not-for-profit organisation. David had witnessed firsthand the transformative opportunities sport could create and recognised its vital role in improving the wellbeing of Indigenous people. Thus, the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia (NASCA) was born, initially focused on empowering young Mob through sports.

The organisation underwent significant evolution in 2005, shifting its primary focus to education, specifically improving school attendance rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. This work centred on strengthening cultural pride and identity, promoting self-confidence, and supporting healthy lifestyles. This strategic pivot allowed NASCA to address the broader needs of the communities it served.

A crucial development occurred in 2021 with the launch of the Young Women’s Academies, in partnership with the Federal Government’s National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and the Department of Education. This initiative was designed to address the specific and often historically overlooked needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women and girls, tackling systemic underfunding in this area.

Today, NASCA continues to build on the strong foundation David Liddiard laid. The organisation now supports nine remote communities in the Northern Territory and operates 25 academies across New South Wales, impacting over 2,500 young people nationally.

NASCA’s growth is ongoing; in the past six months alone, two new academies have been established on the Central Coast. Furthermore, over the past three years, NASCA has significantly expanded its impact through its Pathways Program, providing essential post-school support to help young people transition successfully into further education and employment.

As NASCA approaches its 30th year, CEO Alison Bentick reflects on this significant milestone:

“As NASCA approaches its 30th year, we find ourselves standing proudly on the shoulders of those who laid the foundations for this incredible organisation. This milestone is not just a celebration of time passed, it is a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience and brilliance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who have been at the heart of our journey. From humble beginnings to a national footprint, NASCA has remained committed to walking alongside young people, families, and communities to create positive futures grounded in culture, identity and opportunity.

Our 30th Birthday Celebration will honour the stories, the people, and the enduring vision that have brought us here, and it will also shine a light on the next generation who are ready to lead. This moment is as much about looking forward as it is about looking back. We are building a future that is bold, inclusive, and deeply connected to Country and culture. I’m incredibly proud of our team, our partners, and especially the young people who inspire us every day. Here’s to 30 years of impact — and many more to come.”

As NASCA looks to the future, it does so with the same passion and purpose that ignited its journey in 1995, committed to supporting as many young people as possible and ensuring its powerful legacy continues strong for the next 30 years and beyond.