Through links with State Sporting Organisations (SSO), the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) and regional communities, the regional based sport academies provide development pathways for elite-level opportunities and assist the emerging athletes from rural and regional areas pursue their dreams of becoming sporting champions.

The Victorian Government (Sport and Recreation Victoria) provide funding to the Regional Academies of Sport network via the VIS.  The SAS is now one of six Victorian Regional Academies of Sport (VRAS) operating in Victoria.

The SAS currently services the Mildura Rural City Council, Swan Hill, Buloke & Gunnawarra Shires and South West NSW which has resulted in the academy becoming the first cross border RAS in Australia.

There are six Victorian Regional Academies of Sport who cover the bulk of the regional areas of the state and work together to minimise overheads and give athletes the best opportunity: