Season Success Starts in the Classroom

Written on the 25 February 2022 by SWSAS

February has definitely been a month of action for the South West Sydney Academy of Sport, with nearly every sport program returning to either the training or competition fields in recent weeks. 

The highlights of this long anticipated return to sport for the athletes was the Academy Day, held at the beginning of the month, which saw over 150 athletes, along with nearly fifty parents undertook a series of education sessions at the Western Sydney University in Campbelltown. 

“COVID has certainly thrown us some challenges in the past few years, and this event was no different” said Sport Program Manager, Daniel Currinckx. “Western Sydney University were able to accommodate us across a number of their key lecture theatres, which in turn allowed us to present to the athletes in a range of topics”. 

Education in Nutrition, Drugs in Sport, Self-value and potential, as well as the Academy Values, Concussion management and aligning the coach and parent pathway were presented on the evening. 

For the Academy’s AFLW program, the Academy Day experience was the culmination in a big weekend that saw the squad head to Queanbeyan for the second year in a row, where coaching staff and athletes of the Queanbeyan Tigers AFLW program hosted the squad in a series of training and professional development sessions. 

The squad now heads to Newcastle over the weekend of March 5 and 6 for a series of competition games with the Hunter, North Coast and Central Coast Academies of Sport, as a part of the Swans AFLW Academy Carnival. 

“On the back of a successful Women’s Summer Series between the Giants and Swans AFLW Academies, the Regional Academies of Sport are looking forward to showcasing what our young up and coming female athletes have to offer” said Currinckx. 

Closer to home and the Academy’s Netball program undertook their Day in the life of a Professional SWSAS Athlete, as they prepare for the Regional Academy Games. The day-camp included educational sessions in fitness, sprint training and team building, before on-court training and match-play amongst fellow squad athletes.

“Practical education in specialist running mechanics and accountability are key components of the Academy Netball program. Athletes are given practical tips and ideas to maintain and improve not only their physical attributes such as speed and acceleration, but their mental game as well, such as their self-confidence and self-worth.” Said Currinckx, who mentioned that it is often this aspect of training and education that can prove the difference between a club and state level athlete. 

Over the weekend of Feb 19, the Academy basketball program hosted nine-hours of competitive basketball action, along with strength and conditioning sessions for its 44-strong squads as they prepare for the Regional Academy Games competition in April. The highlight of the day no doubt the squad’s solid wins against visiting Illawarra junior boys teams.

Not to be out done are our Academy’s individual athletes, with Triathlon well in the thick of competition, continuing to produce strong and improved results at each turn, whilst Wests Future Stars Baseball athlete Adam Bates made his debut for the Sydney Blue Sox up against the Canberra Calvary in the Australian Baseball League. Having had the opportunity to tour to the USA in late 2021, Bates has his sights firmly set on an international career as a pitcher, with his call up to the Blue Sox side another step to the journey.

Sticking with the round balls, last but not least, the Academy’s Softball and Indoor Volleyball programs have both trialled and been selected, signalling the final 2021-2022 Academy programs to get underway. 

And finally, back in the office and not to be out done, the Administration Staff of the Academy attended a three-day high-performance leaders conference with fellow RASi staff as the collective of nine Regional Academies continue to plan for the future direction of Academy sporting programs within NSW. 

“The conference is not only a great time to catch up and share ideas with fellow program managers and Executives, but gain direction for all Academies, who despite being our each individual organisation, to strive towards a common goal for the betterment of high performance pathway development in sport across the state.” Said Currinckx. 

For further details on the South West Sydney Academy of Sport head to www.swsas.org.au or email sport@swsas.org.au