Academy Seeking to Expand Development Opportunities

Written on the 6 August 2024 by SWSAS

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport this week announced that nominations were now open and being called for junior talented athletes within the region to be a part of their 2024-2025 sport programs.

Building on an impressive year, which saw 315 athletes participate across the Academy’s 12 sport squad programs, incoming sport programs manager Catarina Di Ramio is expecting an even bigger year ahead, on the back of one of Australia’s most successful Olympic campaigns in recent times.

“It is exciting to see not only Australia’s success on the international stage, but seeing that success feed the interest of our local athletes, who are realising that they have the potential to strive for their own sporting success” said Di Ramio, herself a former Australian Representative Cross Country Snow Skier. “The Academy sport programs don’t just focus on individual skills, but on building the holistic athlete to be successful in and out of the sporting arena” said Di Ramio.

With nominations now open in AFL Women’s, Basketball and 3x3 Basketball, Golf, Netball, Netball Umpires, Softball and Volleyball, with Triathlon recently being selected, and announcements pending for BMX and Hockey, the Academy is on track for a busy September full of trials ahead of program starts in October.

Athletes who are not currently serviced within a sport program listed above are invited to nominate to be included within the Academy’s Wests Future Stars program.

“90% of Academy programs are based around athlete development, education, wellbeing and support, with around only 10% on actual competition” added Di Ramio, who was quick to dispel the myth that the Academy takes away from the athlete’s ability to undertake Academy alongside their local representative training and competition schedules.

“The Academy programs are traditionally off-season high-performance programs that complement the skill development, training and competition they receive within their local representative teams. Each program is operated in cooperation with the State sporting governing body, or in an arrangement with fellow Regional Academies of Sport” said Di Ramio.

One such athlete who is hoping to gain selection into the Academy’s Triathlon squad for another year is Zoe Bruce, who said “The Academy is fantastic. I am hoping to be re-selected so that I can continue the skill building process, and the opportunity to participate alongside amazing triathletes from other Regional Academies”. Following a return from injury in 2023, Bruce has found herself continually improving in her events, and has her focus set firmly on a strong year ahead, hopefully with the help of the South West Sydney Academy of Sport.  

Bruce has been a standout amongst the Academy triathlon squad in past years, having benefitted from the Academy in learning time and load management skills as she juggles school, triathlon and competitive cheer.

Fellow Academy athlete who is vying for re-selection is basketballer Kaitlin Kumar, who whilst fairly new to the sport, and Academy last year, is excited by the opportunity provided by the Academy. “Being a part of the Academy will continue to give me the confidence on the court and provide me with the essential skills I need to grow my game,” said Kumar.

Yet it is not just athletes that the Academy is on the look out for, with a multitude of coaching positions being sought to assist the region’s athletes realise their sporting potential.

Interested athletes and coaches should check out the links under Athlete to view the many sport program opportunities available to athletes of the Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Wollondilly regions.

And the most exciting part, not only is the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games now firmly on the Academy’s radar, so are an additional array of not only sports, but athlete support programs added in the upcoming sport program year ahead.

“Standby for some big sport program announcements in the next few months” said Di Ramio, hinting that a pending announcement may well indeed be a home run for junior athletes within South West Sydney.

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