Wingecarribee Shire’s brightest young athletes were recognised on Wednesday 23 November at the Wingecarribee Civic Reception. After being unable to hold the event the past two years due to COVID, it was great to be able to return to the region and congratulate the 28 athletes from both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 scholarships.
The Wingecarribee Shire Council is a foundation partner of the IAS, and has been home to some world-class athletes including Caleb Ewan and Daniel Rumsey.
A total of 28 talented young sports men and women from across the Shire were formally presented at the reception.
Wingecarribee Shire Council Administrator Viv May PSM said the scholarships would help develop the skills of the promising young athletes.
“A scholarship with the Illawarra Academy of Sport provides an opportunity for these young athletes to take their skills and development to the next level,” he said.
“The Academy provides both athletic skills development training and personal leadership programs that help create wonderful ambassadors for our community.”
Illawarra Academy of Sport CEO John Armstrong, said the region had a history of producing exceptional sporting talent.
“In less than four decades the Academy has produced 22 Olympians, 21 Commonwealth Games Representatives, 12 World Champions and 75 Senior National Team Representatives and not only that but also great people out in our local community,” he said.
“The Academy is so fortunate to be well supported by our local councils, in particular with
“It is through the support that the Wingecarribee Council has provided, that allows athletes here to have an advantage,” IAS CEO John Armstrong said.
“In particular, through the provision of access to the Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre for the athletes to undertake their strength and conditioning locally is invaluable.”
2022/23 IAS Scholarships recipients
Lillian Ragan (Basketball), April Foster (Cycling – BMX), Finlay MacNamara, Indiana Martin, Maya Thompson, Michael O’Connor and Tom Morton (Hockey), Henry Burton (Lonestar ), Charlie Fannin (Lonestar), Matt Smith (Triathlon), Charlotte McCall and Ella Hill (Netball).
2021/22 Scholarship recipients
Abigail Hunt, Eleanar Ragan and Lillian Ragan (Basketball), Sophie Mortlock (Lonestar), Annabelle Bow and Ruby McCallum (Netball), Matt Smith (Triathlon), Connor Miller, Ellanora O’Connor, Emily Rodger, Finlay MacNamara, Georgie Morton, Grace Howard, Rory Petersen, Sienna Soster and Sophia Hamblin (Hockey).
