2023 September Edition - Magazine

W E L C O M E

Penrith Bluebet Stadium, 143 Station Street, Penrith 2750

(02) 4732 4977

www wsas com au

WELCOME to the Third edition of our magazine, and the latest edition of WSAS News

This year has been full of excitement and achievements for our athletes and their programs

We hope you enjoy all the latest news, athlete insights, events, sponsor information and community engagement that this magazine showcases.

FROM THE CEO

Welcome to the Spring edition of our Academy newsletter!

It is a particularly exciting and ground breaking period for the Academy as we renew our programs, implement new programs and events and seek to add further programs to our port-folio

Academy staff have undertaken reviews for all our athlete development programs , and consulted with our coaching staff and our respective SSO partners to ensure we are refining and enhancing our program offerings These programs cover the sports of BMX Riding, Cycling (Track & Road), Golf, Hockey, Future Stars, Netball Umpiring, Netball, Rowing, Softball, Triathlon and Volleyball

In addition, the Academy has introduced an Indigenous Talent Future Stars Program as an extension to the Indigenous Talent ID event conducted at the end of August, and a Para Athlete Program in collaboration with Paralympics Australia

The collective of Regional Academies across the State is also implementing a program growth strategy involving actively approaching and collaborating with numerous State Sporting Organisations such as Touch NSW, Cricket NSW, Tennis NSW and Rowing NSW, Athletics NSW and Hockey NSW

This process has identified some challenges for the Academy to meet, with strong emphasis on performance support services including strength and conditioning, educational and personal development This area of athlete support is being further assessed and methods-concepts for delivering S&C are being explored.

A real highlight of our program operations has been the selection of three of our athletes into the NSWIS Pursue 32# Regional Talent Program, which aims to identify and develop athletes across Olympic sports with a focus on representing Australia at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics

The Academy’s operations and ability to respond to new challenges and needs rely heavily on the support we receive from a wide range of stakeholders, and I would like to recognise and express our appreciation for their support These include:

NSW Government (Office of Sport); Our 15 local Members of Parliament; Our Council partners Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, The Hills, Penrith and Parramatta; NSW Institute of Sport; AusCycling, Jack Newton Junior Golf, Netball NSW, Hockey NSW, Rowing NSW, Softball NSW, Triathlon NSW and Volleyball NSW

Whilst we are focused on the commencement of our programs for 2023-24, there are some major events also being planned and implemented that highlight the role the Academy plays in athlete development These include:

Annual Athlete Awards dinner being held at Wenty Leagues Club on 29 September; Athlete Induction Day for new program athletes being held at Western Sydney University’s Kingswood Campus; Regional Academies State wide coach conference being held at Mingara Recreation Club; Coach Induction being held at Blacktown Sportspark on 7 November;

I hope you will enjoy the content of this magazine edition and continue to support our Academy’s critical role in athlete development.

REGIONAL TALENT PROGRAM NSWIS PURSU32+

The first intake of regional athletes targeted for the game changing New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) ‘Ready’ PURSU32+ RAS Talent Program received their initial taste of the rigors and demands of a high performance sports program when they attended a camp at Sydney Olympic Park from the 1st-3rd of September 2023.

The athletes selected to attend the camp were identified by the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS), a collaborative partner of the program The athletes were then invited to submit an expression of interest which was a key step in the selection process

The aspiring athletes were not only selected based on performance, but the process also considered those who displayed the potential to progress to elite level competition and ultimately the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as their resilience, aptitude, determination, and the support [encouragement] provided to them by their family.

Martin Bullock, CEO of the Western Academy of Sport, believed the NSWIS ‘Ready’ Pursu32+ program had the potential to mould the nation’s future sporting heroes.

“To have the NSW government, New South Wales Institute of Sport and the NSW Regional Academies working together on this project with a long term goal of achieving podium success at the Brisbane 2032 Games is not only ground breaking, it’s the strongest collaboration and opportunity that young regional athletes have received and it will produced our country’s next crop of future champions.”

43 athletes have been selected for the first intake of the NSWIS ‘Ready’ Pursu32+ RAS Talent Program of which 3 are athletes from the Western Sydney Academy of Sport These athletes are:

Chelsea Cocks | Volleyball

Matthew Engesser | Triathlon – Para

Olivia Harris | Netball & Rowing

Good luck to all those involved, and we look forward for the future successes

Chelsea Cocks

Matthew Engesser

Olivia Harris

WSAS GIRLS IN THE U.S.A

SOFTBALL ATHLETES AT THE BABE RUTH WORLD SERIES!

⚾ WSAS GIRLS IN THE U S A ⚾

Our WSAS Softball girls - Scarlet Proc, proudly supported by Dr Peter Gangemi, Mayor of The Hills Shire Council, Kara Cassidy, Kirra Gibson and DeeDee Fitzhenry were chosen to participate and compete in the 'Aussie Drop Bears' team, playing at the Babe Ruth World Series in July 2023.

We are very proud of their efforts and we wish them nothing but the best with their future competitions and events!

NETBALL - ALL SCHOOLS RANKING HIGH⬆

Alannah Hardman, Hannah Knobbs & Sarah Hicks have completed their Nationals Campaign in Perth with the NSW All Schools Netball Team!

The girls finished with Bronze medals after defeating QLD during their final on the day.

Congratulations to the girls and parents involved! We are so proud!

Pictured (L-R): Alannah Hardman, Hannah Knobbs and Sarah Hicks.

2023/2024

TRIATHLON SQUAD

CONGRATULATIONS!

CONGRATULATIONS to all those athletes who have been selected to be a part of our Triathlon NSW Squad

The Triathlon Program features high levels of collaboration with Triathlon NSW. We would like to welcome back our great coaches James Sweeney and Robyn Winn.

Good luck to all athletes and we wish you nothing but the best for the program to come!

EMERGING CYCLING STAR!

MEET ANNA DUBIER!

Anna is a part of our AusCycling program and has just come back from racing in Belgium, Europe! She was invited as part of the X-speed WA Cycling team and took part in some Kermesse road races It was an amazing opportunity and has led Anna to some impressive results in the under-17 women's races

Some of her achievements include:

2nd in the Under 17 Women - only to be beaten by the Belgium National Champion!

8th of July 2023 Massemen

11th in the Under 17 Women’s race

9th of July 2023 Mean - 1st Under 17 Women and 2nd overall in the Under 17 and Under 19 Women

Anna is also the latest recipient of the Penrith Valley Sports Foundation Junior Sports Star Award thanks to St Mary's Leagues Club!

ALUMNI STANDOUT

NETBALL AUSTRALIA U21 SQUAD!

Congratulations to our girls Charli Fidler and Matisse Letherbarrow for making the Netball Australia Australian Under 21 Squad!

Charli, representing the Hornsby Shire Council, was part of our 16/17, 17/18 and 18/19 Netball Program!

Matisse, representing the City of Parramatta Council, was part of our 15/16 and 16/17 Netball Program!

2023/2024 FUTURE STARS SQUAD CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to all those athletes who have been selected to be a part of our Future Stars Squad.

The Future Stars Program features integral support from Melissa and Josh Wu from HrdKAW Strength and Conditioning

Good luck to all athletes and we hope you enjoy the program to come!

GOLF ALUMNI WINS

NT PGA CHAMPIONSHIP!

Victory for WSAS Alumni Daniel Gale! He competed at the Palmerston Golf and Country Club in Darwin, NT for the PGA Championship!

Daniel was a member of our Golf program over the years of 20102015!

It was pedal-to-themetal from start to finish, the New South Welshman leading by three after playing the front nine in four under 32.

Gale’s Sunday 65 matched his score from round one and were the two best rounds of the tournament behind Chris Wood’s seven under 64 on day two.

Gale’s victory also comes with 190 Order of Merit points, which leads after two events on the schedule.

We wish Daniel the best for his upcoming PGA Tour, which will be played at Perth's Joondalup Country Club from October 5-8.

Bookmark nswis.com.au to follow NSW Institute of Sport high performance athletes in their quest to qualify for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. The website features athlete documentaries and feature articles, plus updates on world championships and Olympic qualification events.

#TeamNSWIS

2023/2024 GOLF SQUAD

CONGRATULATIONS!

CONGRATULATIONS to all those athletes who have been selected to be a part of our Golf Squad.

The Golf Squad features integral support from Jack Newton Junior Golf and our Program Venue Partners, The 19th Hole Golf Driving Range and Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club.

A welcome back to our exceptional coaches Brad Ward and David Zahra, and welcome to our new Squad Manager, Rebecca Hayes

Good luck to all athletes and we wish you the best for the program!

ATHLETE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM!

2023/2024 INDIGENOUS

FUTURE STARS SQUAD CONGRATULATIONS!

CONGRATULATIONS to all those athletes who have been selected to be a part of our Indigenous Future Stars Squad

The Indigenous Future Stars Program features integral support from Melissa and Josh Wu from HrdKAW Strength and Conditioning

SOFTBALL NSW

WOMEN’S TEAM

Congratulations to our WSAS representatives on their successful selections into the following Softball NSW Womens Squads!

NSW UNDER 23 WOMENS TEAM

WSAS Softball Assistant Coach - Caitlin Wilde

WSAS Alumni - Ryleigh Arnott

WSAS Alumni - Jessica Smith

WSAS Alumni - Teoni Lamb

NSW OPEN WOMENS TEAM

WSAS Alumni - Kandra Lamb

WSAS Alumni - Taylah

Tsitsikronis

INDIGENOUS TALENT

IDENTIFICATION DAY!

More than 80 of Western Sydney’s aspiring Indigenous athletes headed to Western Sydney University in Kingswood on 29 August 2023 to attend our UAA Indigenous Talent Identification Day.

The day was a great success, and we are proud of the athletes that participated in the sunny conditions in their respective sports

Special mentions are given to Sarah Kennedy from Western Sydney University and her team of research students who assisted in the conduction of testing, our guest speakers for the day Andrew Bennie, Andrew Fraser and Dean Norris, Rebecca Di Cello from NSW Institute of Sport representing AUSCycling, Heath Canning representing Jack Newton Junior Golf, Samantha May representing Netball NSW, Filip Zapala and Chris Todd representing Volleyball NSW and Ranell and Kip Hobson representing the Academy of Sport Speed.

We would also like to thank our Academy coaches Daniel Waddell (Nepean Rowing Club), Kerrie Wallace and Renee Cini (Netball), Kevin Sturgiss (Volleyball), David Zahra and Brad Ward (The 19th Hole Driving Range & Golf), Melissa Wu (HrdKaw Strength and Conditoning and Future Stars partner) and Pierre Dubier (Cycling) for all their help and assistance on the day.

Thank you to all athletes, local schools and parents who were part of the day and good luck to all athletes in the future

ATHLETE AWARDS DINNER RECAP!

Western Sydney Academy of Sport’s Annual Athlete Awards Dinner was held at Wenty Leagues Club on Friday 29 September 2023. It was an unforgettable evening, with the Academy showcasing a long list of exceptional athletes, coaches and corporate partners. Athletes across 10 sporting disciplines received awards and recognition for their outstanding achievements over the 2022/2023 sporting year Our award winners were recognised for their talent, leadership qualities, dedication, and commitment to their respective sports.

The Academy not only recognised our talented athletes. It also presented Coach service awards to coaching staff who had achieved 5 consecutive years of volunteer service with the Academy

These coaches were: Jack Rauhihi (Softball), Daniel Waddell (Rowing), Jason Waddell (Rowing), James Sweeney (Triathlon) and Michelle Bullock (Netball).

MC Sarah Ryan interviewed guest speaker and Netball icon, Julie Fitzgerald AM, who spoke about her rise in Netball and sporting career. Highlights of the evening were athlete achievements, with Athlete of the Year awards for each individual sport and an overall Academy Athlete of the year.

Two further feature awards are: Steadfast Coach Leadership Award, Daniel Waddell (Rowing) & Steadfast Athlete Leadership Award, Anya Barker (Volleyball)

The Academy’s Education Partner, Western Sydney University, presented the “Western Sydney University Excellence in Education Award”, which provides a grant of $1,000 to the recipient. It is awarded to an individual athlete in recognition of their academic achievements The winner of this award was George Abbott, one of our Future Stars (Swimming) athletes.

The full list of award winners is as follows:

Program Athletes of the Year:

BMX Athlete of the Year: Jack Edwards

Cycling Athlete of the Year: Alex

O’Shaughnessy

Rowing Athlete of the Year: Ezekiel Pratt

Golf Athlete of the Year: Zak Marsh

Future Stars Athlete of the Year: Luke Csillag

Netball Umpiring Athlete of the Year: Amber

Goldie

Netball Athlete of the Year: Charlotte Ward

Triathlon Athlete of the Year: Leila Dickson

Softball Athlete of the Year: Tanika Terkildsen

Volleyball Athlete of the Year: Chelsea Cocks

Western Sydney University Excellence in Education Award:

George Abbott – Future Stars, Swimming

Steadfast Coach Leadership Award:

Daniel Waddell – Rowing

Steadfast Athlete Leadership Award:

Anya Barker - Volleyball

Western Sydney Academy of Sport

Athlete of the Year Award:

Tanika Terkildsen – Softball

PARTNER WITH US SECURE AN ATHLETE'S FUTURE IN SPORT ⬆

Do you know someone who would be interested in supporting the future generation of our elite athletes?

The Western Sydney Academy of Sport has a range of opportunities for companies and organisations to support the potential of our programs and their athletes. The Academy has options such as our Ambassador Program, which provides opportunities for local businesses and individuals to contribute a small level of support for our talented young athletes

Businesses and individuals can become an Academy Ambassador through an annual contribution of $500 which enables them to establish a connection with one of the Academy’s athletes and develop a personal relationship, supporting them in their journey and progression along the development pathway. Businesses will also receive marketing benefits in return from the Academy

As a not-for-profit community-based organisation, all revenue generated by the Academy is applied to its program operations which directly benefit over 200 athletes each year. All funds raised from the Academy’s Ambassador rovision of specific technical and educational the athletes

act the Academy's Communications, Events and 0 or email madeleine@wsas.com.au for further e future of Australian Athletes in sport.

TO ALL OUR PARTNERS T H A N K Y O U

LET'S GROW

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W E A R E W E S T E R N S Y D N E Y