The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has formally recognised the NSW Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) as official Australian Olympic Training Centres.
RAS play a significant role in the development of young Australian athletes, providing critical support in the early stages of their Olympic journeys including access to tailored programs, coaching, camps and competitions.
AOC CEO Matt Carroll said this recognition highlights the vital role the RAS play in developing our future Olympic champions.
“By officially designating the NSW regional academies of sport as Australian Olympic Training Centres, we acknowledge the crucial contribution these academies make to the athlete pathway in regional NSW,” Mr Carroll said.
“More than fifty Rio and Tokyo Olympians were nurtured through their early careers by the regional academies, including Olympic champions Jess Fox, Emma McKeon and Tom Burton.
“Their journeys to the pinnacle of international competition exemplify the effectiveness of the athlete programs implemented by the NSW Regional Academies of Sport.”
“Congratulations to each of the academies on this special recognition. As we continue to progress along the green and gold runway towards Brisbane 2032, we hope this recognition will provide additional motivation for the academies athletes aspiring to represent Australia on the Olympic stage.”
Chair of the NSW Academies of Sport, Brett O’Farrell welcomed the announcement. “This is certainly great recognition for the hardworking network through-out regional NSW. It is a vitally important time for young Australian athletes as we look forward to the
Brisbane Games in 2032.”
“The majority of our current cohort of talented athletes are aged anywhere from fourteen years of age to eighteen meaning that they will be our future stars that we see on the big stage in 8 years’ time.”
NSW Office of Sport Chief Executive Karen Jones said the NSW Government had a proud history of providing facilities that produce Olympic medallists.
“The legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games lives on today with the NSW Government managing five former Olympic venues that continue to produce Olympic medallists.
“The addition of RAS as official Australian Olympic Training Centres strengthens the pathway for our junior athletes on their journey to be the next Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallists.”
The AOC and RAS are excited to work together in building on this strong partnership and enhancing the pathway opportunities to young people of regional NSW.
The Regional Academies of Sport (NSW)
• Central Coast Academy of Sport
• Far West Academy of Sport
• Hunter Academy of Sport
• Illawarra Academy of Sport
• North Coast Academy of Sport
• Northern Inland Academy of Sport
• Southern Academy of Sport
• South East Sports Academy
• South West Sydney Academy of Sport
• Western Region Academy of Sport
• Western Sydney Academy of Sport
For further information please contact Taylah O’Neill at the Australian Olympic Committee on 0433 450 010 or at taylah.oneill@olympics.com.au
