For some, it has led to cancelled holidays, for others separation from friends and family. For athletes, border closures have resulted in the postponement of a host of national competitions.

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Emerging cyclist Ryan Britten is one athlete who has seen his plans thrown into flux, with the teenager hopeful a full calendar of racing can be scheduled for the coming months.

"We're slowly coming back to racing," Britten said. "It's been good to see some friends we haven't seen since March.

"I'm hoping to just keep racing through to the end of the year. Nationals were postponed due to COVID, so hopefully Victoria can come out of lockdown and Queensland will open their borders so we're able to race and hopefully I can bring some medals home."

Britten was on Thursday announced the Illawarra Academy of Sport cyclist of the year, the 16-year-old recording a number of impressive results throughout the past 12 months.

Such has been his success on both the track and the road, the teenager was recently elevated to the NSW Institute of Sport's cycling program and Britten thanked the Academy for helping provide a springboard for higher honours.

"It's been really good progressing from the Illawarra Academy of Sport to NSWIS, the Academy's been a big platform for me. There's a bit of money in the Illawarra, but the money in Sydney and the facilities are amazing so it's been great using those and working with the coaches."