Academy Coach Recognised as True Leader

Written on the 26 February 2025 by SWSAS

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport’s mission on not just athlete education and development, but that of it’s large contingent of coach and support staff has this week been recognised, with Academy Basketball Head Coach Jeff Cooper awarded the 2025 Regional Academies of Sport (NSW) ‘Coach Leadership Award’, when all eleven Regional Academies of Sport from across New South Wales, came together at the Wenty Leagues Club in Parramatta on Tuesday 25 February, to celebrate and recognise the achievements of regional academy athletes and coaches, across five sport development categories.

Adding to his already impressive awards resume, which includes winning the South West Sydney Academy of Sport’s ‘Coach of the Year’ award in late 2024, Cooper has been an integral part of the Academy’s Coach Technical Advisory Group, who helps guide suggestions on not just coach development and education topics, but the overall pathway development for coaches within the Academy.

“Jeff’s commitment to self development in completing additional coaching courses and attending numerous coaching conferences whilst coaching within the Academy’s Basketball and 3x3 Basketball programs has been exemplary throughout the past three years, said Academy CEO Gerry Knights, who added that, “With his ongoing commitment to athlete and coach development within the South West Sydney region, Jeff has been appropriately recognised in winning this award”.

When asked about his journey so far and experience within the Regional Academy network, an emotional Cooper reflected on what he had learned within the many education and support sessions provided.

“Being able to coach is about providing to the athletes, but the difference with the South West Sydney Academy of Sport is that they also provide the education and development for us as coaches,” said Cooper, as he received his award in front of fellow coaching peers, athletes and dignitaries from across NSW Regional Academies. “I am honoured to even be considered for this award, let alone win it, and must thank the staff of the Academy for giving me the opportunity to coach in the program along with the athletes, coaching  staff and support staff who also give so much of their time” said Cooper, who was quick to add that he must also thank his wife Robyn, and family for their support over the years that has allowed him to give his spare time to coaching.  

Cooper however was not the only one celebrated at the annual event, with four Regional Academy of Sport athletes recognised for their significant achievements throughout the year.

Each award winner was selected from nominations received from across all Regional Academies of Sport in NSW. The categories, and overall winners presented were:

• Athlete of the Year – Sienna Toohey (Swimming), Southern Sports Academy
• Athlete with Disability Athlete of the Year – Declan Budd (Para Swimming), Central Coast Academy of Sport
• Indigenous Athlete of the Year – Ocea Curtis (Surfing), North Coast Academy of Sport
• Athlete Leadership – Mia Richardson (Basketball), Western Region Academy of Sport
• Coach Leadership – Jeff Cooper (Basketball), South West Sydney Academy of Sport

The annual Award dinner, proudly supported by Steadfast Group Limited, Underwriting Agencies of Australia Pty Ltd (UAA) and ClubsNSW was heralded as yet another crowning moment for Regional Academies of Sport, in NSW.

The Regional Academies of Sport were grateful to host a significant number of dignitaries from a wide array of NSW State Sporting Organisations, along with key representatives of NSW Office of Sport, the NSW Institute of Sport, Australian Olympic Committee, and Paralympics Australia.

Guests included Dr Hugh McDermott MP, Member for Prospect, AOC Chief Executive of Community Engagement James Edwards, Olympians Bronte Campbell OAM, Melissa Wu, Gordon Allan, and Sarah Ryan OAM, plus representatives from the Regional Academies of Sport network’s major stakeholders, athletes, parents, and staff from the Regional Academies, along with the South West Sydney Academy of Sport and Western Sydney Academy of Sport who co-hosted this year’s event.

The Regional Academies continue to represent an extensive geographic areas across NSW, with over 100 Local Government Areas and support services provided for over 2,000 athletes, and 300 coaching and program staff.

The Regional Academies of Sport network continues to grow in recognition and significance, across a wide range of organisations, such as the NSW Government, the NSW Institute of Sport, Paralympics Australia, and State Sporting Organisations, as we head towards Australia’s 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Alongside Jeff Cooper, the South West Sydney Academy of Sport fielded finalists in all categories, with Academy Indigenous Program athlete Isabella Stephens a finalist for the UAA Indigenous Athlete of the Year Award, whilst Triathlete Zoe Bruce was a finalist for the Steadfast Athlete Leadership Award. Macarthur BMX racer Isla Basa was a finalist for the Athlete of the Year award, whilst Wests Future Stars Para-Swimmer Daniel Lill was once again a finalist for the Athlete with a Disability Athlete of the Year, marking his second time as a finalist at the event.

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Image: Regional Academies of Sport NSW Award Winners; Declan Budd, Mia Richardson, Jeff Cooper, Sienna Toohey, Ocea Curtis