Adam Bates is just 18, but the Camden superstar is living his dream, having signed a multi-year deal with USA Major Baseball League club, Boston Red Sox.
And that’s why he couldn’t accept in person the latest award back home: 2024 Regional Academies of Sport (NSW) athlete of the year.
Last year Bates was named athlete of the year by his own academy, but now he’s beaten athletes from 11 academies to take out the latest honour.
Bates is presently involved in a spring training camp in the USA, but appeared at the awards via video.
He thanked the Regional Academy network, including his home academy for his nomination and ultimate success in receiving the award.
“The South West Sydney Academy of Sport has been crucial in my story up to this point, and not only by providing the baseball resources to improve my game, but also in providing seminars on right diet, managing school, sport and life, and also practical hands-on courses that have helped in making me the athlete I am today,” the young baseballer said.
“Dream big – the best things that come from life come from outside your comfort zone, so take that leap,’’ he advised fellow athletes,’’ said Bates, pictured above in action with the Australian U18 Junior baseball team.
Alongside Adam Bates, the South West Sydney Academy of Sport fielded nominees in all award categories.
Basketball and Indigenous program athlete Max Brown-Tjakuapi was nominated in both the Steadfast Athlete Leadership and UAA Indigenous athlete of the year award, whilst AFL W program head coach Ben Robinson was nominated for the Steadfast coach leadership award.
Wests Future Stars para-swimmer Daniel Lill rounded out the academy’s award hopefuls with his nomination for disability athlete of the year.
