Academy Receives Liverpool Top Australia Day Sports Award

Written on the 27 January 2016 by SWSAS

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport commitment to the development of our region's best junior athletes was well and truly recognised, when it received Liverpool's top Australia Day Sports Award.

Mayor Ned Mannoun has long praised the work of the Academy and was pleased to personally present the award to the Academy's executive director Gerry Knights, as part of Liverpool's outstanding Australia Day celebrations.

Knights said he was incredibly proud to accept the award on behalf of the Academy's 73 hardworking coaching and support staff members and its athletes'; stating it looks' like being another outstanding year for the Academy with a number of past athletes in contention for upcoming 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games representation come August, September.

The Academy has exceeded all growth expectations in recent years, increasing its athlete intake from 163 scholarship holders 3 years ago, to an amazing 345, in 2015. As the Academy operates with only 2 fulltime staff members, this astonishing accomplishment has been achieved largely due to the dedication of its volunteers.

This growth included a marked increase in the number of athletes and coaching and support staff members, gaining skill and sports education opportunities, across the region.
Academy volunteers provided in excess of 9,000 volunteer hours in 2015, valued at over $260,000.

Liverpool City Council is one of the Academy's four 'Foundation Member' Councils, and has been a significant long term supporter, and financial contributor to the South West Sydney Academy of Sport, since its inception in 1997. The Academy region also includes the local government areas of Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly.