The Illawarra Academy of Sport is excited to announce a partnership with leading Illawarra business Multi, Civil and Rail (MCR) in the formation of a support program for Indigenous youth in the Illawarra region.
MCR and the IAS have signed a major partnership agreement to join forces in developing the future Indigenous leaders of the community through sport. MCR is not only reinvesting in the local Illawarra region but the partnership provides the foundations for the Illawarra Academy of Sport to initiate an Indigenous Sports Program (ISP) that will attach the athletes from within the IAS to their heroes. Athletes will have access to leading Aboriginal sports people from the district to assist, support and inspire the athletes in their development.
Watch the official announcement here.
“At MCR we live by four key principles of integrity, accountability, innovation and delivery, and these values align perfectly with those of the Illawarra Academy of Sport,” Leigh Twigg, General Manager of MCR said.
The shared values and passion for growth and innovation set an ideal foundation for the partnership and program. The ISP provides an opportunity for the IAS to provide mentorship and a dedicated level of focus upon the outcomes and support for Indigenous athletes across the greater Shoalhaven, Illawarra and Wingecarribee region.
“We simply could not run this program unique program without the support of MCR,” said John Armstrong, CEO of the Illawarra Academy of Sport.
The IAS is the premier local body that provides a high level of service and support for emerging talented athletes in the Illawarra region and the Indigenous Sports Program will be integrated into the service for all sports – even those not currently catered for such as Rugby League, touch football and others.
“Sport is a great platform to reach the Indigenous community,” said Twigg. “We are excited to see where these opportunities can lead for these talented athletes and future leaders.”
The ISP will offer a mentorship program that provides support for the athletes. “It will be designed, reviewed and added to by the Aboriginal sports people of the region,” said Armstrong, “giving the Aboriginal community the support that they think is most needed for their athletes.”
“This partnership and program marks the start of a strong level of investment of resources, personnel and energy into providing the best opportunities for the emerging and talented indigenous athletes of the region,” Armstrong said. “Both organisations are parochially Illawarra – and we are both determined to ensure that we can provide the best service to this region through a focused program such as this.”
Watch the full announcement press conference here.
