Illawarra Academy of Sport

The Illawarra Academy of Sport and the NSW Institute of Sport are pleased to announce a four-year renewal of their successful partnership which provides high-performance support to athletes in the Illawarra district. Read more about the partnership 👇 https://lnkd.in/gFRQ5x33

We extend our appreciation to Wingecarribee Shire Council for hosting an enjoyable Mayoral Reception honouring and celebrating Wingecarribee athletes that have obtained a #TeamIAS scholarship for 2024/25. Attendees had the pleasure of hearing from and meeting with Wingecarribee Shire Council Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick, IAS President Ms Sharon Wingate and other esteemed and valued Wingecarribee and IAS members. IAS triathlete Pixie Hanson spoke on behalf of the Wingecarribee cohort, outlining the positive impact that the IAS has had on her sporting journey, and thanked Wingecarribee Shire Council for their ongoing support. Read more here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gmYYH7wx 📸 Wingecarribee Shire Council

Congratulations to the first ever winner of the Illawarra Credit Union and IAS Athlete of the Month, Charlotte Gray! Awarded for her commitment, integrity, and sportsmanship, Charlotte juggles her schoolwork, netball commitments, and a navy cadet leadership role with grace and diligence. She even finds time to volunteer her umpiring skills at junior indoor netball comps, all while continuously working to improve her own abilities. Well done Charlotte – a well deserving first winner indeed.

Academy alumni Emma McKeon, Sarah Carli, Ellen Perez, and Telaya Balcksmith were honoured today, with new commemorative tiles added to the Illawarra Olympic & Paralympic Tribute Wall in Lang Park, Wollongong. They were joined in Wollongong by fellow Paris Olympic and Paralympic competitors Saya Sakakibara, Brendon Smith, and Luke Pople to unveil the latest additions to the wall, which features the name of all homegrown Olympians since 1928. IAS President Sharon Wingate and CEO Salv Carmusciano also attended the unveiling in celebration of our regions finests athletes. Other IAS alumni to be honoured today, but absent from the unveling, include Jasmine Greenwood, Blake Govers, Flynn Ogilvie, Ruby Pass, Grace Stewart, and Kieran Woolley.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Illawarra Academy of Sport Inc., held at Wests Illawarra on Wednesday, 6 November 2024, marked the end of an era for long-standing members Mr. Brian Weir, Mr. John Wells, and Ms. Amy Duggan. Mr. Weir’s tenure on the IAS Board formally commenced in 1987. Serving as President for an incredible 19 years (1998 – 2017), Mr. Weir was awarded life membership in 2008. Mr. Wells succeeded Mr. Weir as President of the Academy and has served the IAS for well over two decades. Mr. Wells was awarded life membership in 2022. Ms. Duggan formally joined the IAS in 2014, serving as a Director, Vice President, and active committee member during her tenure. Ms. Duggan was unanimously endorsed as the seventh Life Member of the IAS at the AGM. Ahead of the Academy’s 40th anniversary, the AGM also marked the re-election of Shellharbour community representative Ms. Sharon Wingate as President. Following the recent local elections, in which four new Mayor’s across our catchment were elected, several new faces have joined the IAS membership. The 2023/24 Annual Report was also presented to the membership at the AGM, celebrating the success of IAS athletes over the past year. Read the 2024 IAS Annual Report here: https://lnkd.in/g-kkDEzb Illawarra Academy of Sport Directors and Members President, Shellharbour Community Representative – Ms. Sharon Wingate Vice President, Wollongong Community Representative – Mr. Grant Hughes Director, University of Wollongong, the Vice Chancellor’s Representative – Mr. Canio Fierravanti Director, Shoalhaven community representative – Mr. Jonathan Seller, CAE Director, Kiama community representative – Ms. Jo Collinge Director, Wingecarribee community representative – Mr. Ian Campbell Foundation Member, representing the Lord Mayor of Wollongong City Council Cr. Tania Brown’s – Ms Jenny Towers Foundation Member, representing the Mayor of Shellharbour City Council Cr. Chris Homer’s – Cr. Craig Ridding Foundation Member, representing the Mayor of Kiama Municipal Council Cr. Cameron McDonald - Deputy Mayor Cr. Melissa Matters Foundation Member, Mayor of Wingecarribee Shire Council – Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick Foundation Member, representing the Mayor of Shoalhaven City Council Cr. Patricia White – Mr. Matthew Graham Wollongong Community Representative – Mr. Joshua Kersten Wollongong Community Representative – Mr. Matt Gigliotti Alumni Member – Mr. Alex Mackay Special Community Member – Vacant

The 2024/25 Illawarra Academy of Sport scholarship year is officially underway following the recent Induction Day held for our new cohort of #TeamIAS athletes. The Induction Day was held at the home of the Academy’s education partner, the University of Wollongong, as 266 athletes were officially welcomed into the new scholarship year. Athletes from a range of disciples, including basketball, netball, tennis, golf, cycling, triathlon, hockey, volleyball, para sports, and surf life saving joined for a day of education and fitness testing. Thank you to our partners the Illawarra Credit Union, Condor Performance, and BaiMed for their significant contributions on the day and to our program overall. Read more here about our 2024/25 IAS Induction Day 👇 https://lnkd.in/gQ_MM45m Wollongong City Council Kiama Municipal Council Shellharbour City Council Shoalhaven City Council Wingecarribee Shire Council

⭐Applications for Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) membership are now open⭐ Residents of the Wollongong City Council and Shellharbour City Council are encouraged to apply for election as an IAS Community Member. Read more here about how to join #TeamIAS and help develop young, talented Illawarra athletes into high-performing citizens, enabling them to achieve extraordinary things. 👇 https://lnkd.in/g4DWjDqZ

We recently partnered with The Illawarra Connection to deliver an incredible celebration of sporting excellence within our region. We were incredibly fortunate to hear from four-time Olympian Bradley McGee OLY OAM as the keynote speaker. Bradley had the audience captivated with insights from his decorated cycling career. Following Brad's address, IAS alumni, Paralympian, and current Rollers assistant coach Brett Stibners joined Olympian, Illawarra Hawks Basketball legend and current IAS Basketball head coach Glen Saville on a panel, sharing Olympic memories that had the audience in stitches. Finally, proudly delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the IAS, 17 year old snowboard cross athlete Marci Davis-Cook could not have represented the current cohort of IAS athletes any better. We thank The Illawarra Connection, a member-based organization connecting business and community leaders of the Illawarra, for the opportunity to celebrate our regions sporting excellence together.

Our Emma, the most decorated Aussie Olympian in history🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 #Paris2024

We are thrilled to be collaborating with The Illawarra Connection (TIC) to celebrate our regions athletic excellence during the Paris Olympics. If you are not a member of #TIC, but would like to attend this event, send an email to [email protected]