Some of the Shoalhaven’s most talented young athletes were recognised on Monday May 12 at the Shoalhaven City Council Mayoral Afternoon Tea.
The event, held at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre, celebrated the outstanding achievements of the 31 Illawarra Academy of Sport athletes from the Shoalhaven region.
Shoalhaven City Council Deputy Mayor Peter Wilkins, who attended the event on behalf of Mayor Patricia White, praised the athletes for their success and wished them well for the future.
“It is an honour to host this year’s afternoon tea as it provides the opportunity to reflect on the recent achievements of our local athletes, acknowledge their hard work and celebrate how the Shoalhaven produces some of the top talent in the state,” Cr Wilkins said.
“With the incredible support, guidance, and experience of the staff, coaches, and mentors at the Illawarra Academy of Sport, I have no doubt we will be seeing more of these rising stars as they compete at a state, national, and international level.
“I applaud the dedication and sacrifice of the athletes in pursuing their sporting dreams. I wish them all the best with their training, and I look forward to celebrating their ongoing success into the future.”
Illawarra Academy of Sport athletes Zac Richter, a Future Stars tennis athlete, and Lily Sproule, a Future Stars athletics athlete, delivered a vote of thanks speech on behalf of the Shoalhaven athletes, outlining the positive impact that the IAS has had on their sporting journey, and thanking Shoalhaven City Council for their ongoing support.
“Since joining the Illawarra Academy of Sport in October of last year, I’ve been lucky enough to grow so much as an athlete. The training, support, and resources I’ve received have really helped me take my running to the next level,” Sproule said.
“In April this year, I had the honour of competing at the Australian Athletics Championships – something I never would’ve imagined possible when I first started.
“As someone who lives and trains locally, I want to highlight how much the Shoalhaven Council facilities have supported my training and development. Whether it’s strength sessions at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre, recovery at Bomaderry and Nowra Aquatic Centres, or training opportunities at Bay & Basin and Ulladulla Leisure Centres, these places make a huge difference to athletes like me. They’re not just facilities – they’re a key part of our success locally and us Shoalhaven athletes are incredibly thankful to the Shoalhaven City Council.”
Richter, currently a member of the Tennis NSW RAS (Regional Academies of Sport) Country Stars program, thanked the IAS for their contribution towards his career as he continues to develop into a professional athlete.
“Since becoming a part of the Illawarra Academy of Sport in October last year, I have been very lucky to meet some new athletes and coaches who have helped me along my journey,” Richter said.
“Tennis is an individual sport so it can be hard to stay motivated to continuously train, but the IAS has given me the opportunity to train with like-minded people regularly. Being in this program has really opened my eyes to how lucky I am.
“On behalf of the Shoalhaven Illawarra Academy of Sport athletes, I would like to say a huge thank you to Shoalhaven City Council. Your support of the IAS means us local athletes have the chance to chase our big goals without having to leave our region. Without your investment, many of the experiences we’ve had simply wouldn’t be possible.”
Illawarra Academy of Sport President Sharon Wingate praised the efforts of Shoalhaven City Council and thanked the organisation for their contribution towards the IAS.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Shoalhaven City Council for their continued support and dedication to the Illawarra Academy of Sport,” Wingate said.
“2025 marks a significant milestone for us – our 40th anniversary – and as we celebrate this milestone year, we also recognise the commitment and hard work of the athletes.
“Our goal is to foster sporting champions, but we also strive to build confident, responsible, and resilient young citizens.”
