The Illawarra Academy of Sport is pleased to announce it has been awarded management of the South East Sports Academy (SESA) following a competitive Request for Proposal by the NSW Office of Sport.
The appointment represents a significant milestone for the IAS and reflects confidence in the Academy’s long-standing governance framework and community-based approach to athlete development in regional NSW.
Under the arrangement, the IAS will oversee athlete pathway and development programs across an additional eight local government areas spanning the NSW South East region, including the Bega Valley, Snowy Monaro, Eurobodalla, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Goulburn Mulwaree, Yass Valley, Upper Lachlan and Hilltops.
Currently operated under the management of the NSW Office of Sport, SESA supports approximately 200 young athletes annually across a range of sports including basketball, netball, golf, hockey, surfing, snow sports and para-sports.
Illawarra Academy of Sport CEO Salv Carmusciano said the organisation was honoured to be entrusted with the opportunity and excited about the future of regional athlete development across both regions.
“We thank the NSW Government for its confidence in the IAS and look forward to working closely with the Office of Sport throughout the transition process.
“Our focus now is ensuring athletes, coaches and regional communities across both the Illawarra and South East regions continue to benefit from strong pathway programs, quality support services and meaningful sporting opportunities.
“We enjoy strong relationships with state sporting organisations and look forward to continuing to work alongside them to support emerging athletes across regional New South Wales.”
Illawarra Academy of Sport President Sharon Wingate said the appointment reinforced the strength and relevance of the Academy’s long-standing model.
“We are incredibly proud to see the strength of this model recognised.
“The decision to appoint the IAS reflects confidence in the proven academy model our founding members helped initiate more than forty years ago as the first regional academy in New South Wales — a model built on strong governance oversight, community connection and local partnerships, with the athlete remaining at the centre of everything we do.
“This outcome reinforces the important role regional academies continue to play in identifying and developing talented young athletes within connected community-based environments.
“The expansion into the South East region represents an important evolution for the IAS while maintaining the principles on which the Academy was established.”
NSW Office of Sport Deputy Secretary Adam Berry said:
“We are excited to announce that management of SESA will transition to Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS).
“IAS demonstrated their capability and capacity to effectively manage strategic and operational aspects of SESA as well as an alignment with the Office of Sport’s Strategic Plan and Future Champions strategy.
“During the transition process, programs and services at SESA will be maintained and current staff will continue to provide support to athletes.
“Importantly, the NSW Office of Sport remains committed to supporting the regional academy of sport network, ensuring young athletes from across NSW, including future Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, receive the funding and resources they need to achieve success on the world stage.”
