The IAS has officially offered 183 scholarships to talented athletes across the Illawarra to assist them in their development to National representation.
Scholarships were offered this week across 10 of the 11 Programs being offered in 2017, which were; Basketball, Cycling, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby 7’s, Tenpin Bowling, Triathlon as well as non-sport specific LoneStar Program and Athletes with a Disability Program. With Cricket commencing in May 2017.
IAS General Manager Shannon Fraser said “It is a very detailed process, as the only Regional Academy in NSW that does not charge an Athlete Levy, it is important to ensure that the Academy is investing in the right athletes.”
Over 300 prospective Scholarship hopefuls were vetted over the past 7 weeks across 4 selection phases which included Athlete Eligibility Criteria, Trials, Testing and Interviews.
“With Basketball returning to the Academy and Tenpin Bowling joining for the first time, it shows the importance that the Regional Academy Network plays in the NSW Player Development Pathways.” Mr Fraser Added
The 2017 Scholarship Athletes will all converge on the University of Wollongong for their first session of their scholarship for the Athlete and Parent Induction on November 5th. Athletes, Parents and Coaches will all be inducted into the IAS and receive their first round of Education Modules, Sport Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Mental Health and Public Speaking.
Established in 1985 and the pioneer for the Regional Academy model in Australian sport, the Illawarra Academy of Sport with the support of our many partners, provides athletes with the programs to develop, excel and achieve through sport. The IAS is at the forefront of pre-elite athlete development in NSW and prides itself on the ability to engage the region’s leading coaches and industry experts to deliver life-changing programs.
Talented young athletes and coaches within the Illawarra Region not only achieve excellence through sport but become respected young ambassadors for the community, the Illawarra Academy of Sport and their valued partners.
The Illawarra has a rich history in developing and elevating athletes to higher representative honours, with the Academy a significant vehicle in the process. Over three decades, the IAS has supported more than 5000 young people from across the region in their pursuit of sporting excellence.
The IAS has produced, (including Rio 2016), 15 Olympians (17 medals), 17 Commonwealth Games Representatives (25 medals), 11 World Champions and 71 Senior National Team Representatives over the past three decades.
