Contents President’s Report...................................................................................................5 Acting General Manager’s Report...........................................................................7 IAS Partner’s...........................................................................................................8 Overview of Academy of Sport.............................................................................9 Missions, Aims & Objectives, History.....................................................................11 Board of Directors..................................................................................................13 Academy Position & Structure...............................................................................14 Administrative Operations.....................................................................................15 Scholarship Programs...........................................................................................17 Core Program Components...................................................................................18 Special Events.......................................................................................................19 Total Scholarships Offered.....................................................................................21 IAS Honour Roll.....................................................................................................22 Sports Programs.................................................................................................25 Sport Program Co-ordinator’s Report....................................................................27 Athletes With a Disability ......................................................................................28 Cricket...................................................................................................................29 Cycling...................................................................................................................30 Golf........................................................................................................................31 Hockey...................................................................................................................32 IAP.........................................................................................................................33 Lawn Bowls...........................................................................................................34 Netball...................................................................................................................35 Rugby Union..........................................................................................................36 Triathlon.................................................................................................................37 Graduating Athletes...............................................................................................38 Athlete Achievements.........................................................................................39 Tobin Family Award................................................................................................40 Sport Athlete Awards.............................................................................................42 2013 Scholarships Holders by Sports and Region................................................44 2013 Athlete Achievements...................................................................................45 3 Platinum Sponsor Major Partner Education and Research Partner Gold Sponsors Council Partners Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Uniform Partner Program Partners PRESIDENT’S REPORT In 2014 Board Members John O’Dwyer OAM (Shellharbour), It is my pleasure to present an interim President’s Report for Jeff McCarthy (Kiama), Peter Tomlinson (Wingecarribee) & 2014 to coincide with the 2014 Presentation Night. Gregg Rowland (University of Wollongong, Vice Chancellor’s Representative) resigned. I acknowledge their excellent ser- So far in 2014 the Academy has continued to review and re- vice to the Academy, especially John O’Dwyer who has fine our operations whilst meeting the needs of our athletes served on the Board since 1987. who have applied great dedication to their tasks. They have been replaced by Gary Lord (Shellharbour), Reg We also take great pride in the outstanding achievements of Smith (Wingecarribee) & Canio Fierravanti (University of our alumni in competition around the globe. Wollongong, Vice Chancellor’s Representative). Gregg Row- land returned as the Kiama Community representative. In February, the Academy held a very successful Presenta- In addition Amy Duggan has been elected as our Special tion Night with Cameron Scott named as the 2013 Illawarra Community Member. Clr Garry Turland joined the Board ear- Mercury, Tobin Family Award winner. We were honoured by lier in the year as the representative of the Mayor of Winge- having the Minister for Sport, Honourable Gabrielle Upton as carribee. our guest. I am very pleased that in 2014, the Academy reintroduced ClubsNSW Regional Academy Games the Athlete with Disability Program (AWD) in conjunction with In April the Illawarra Academy hosted the Games, on behalf the Disability Trust and Choice Home Loans. Years ago we of the Regional Academies of Sport incorporated (RASi), for were pioneers in establishing an AWD Program and of the third of three years. Academy athletes and their support- course, our star alumni was Siobhan Paton who won six gold ers from throughout NSW, as well as Queensland and New medals at the Sydney Para Olympics. Zealand visited the Illawarra to compete in seven sports. The feedback was that they very much enjoyed the experi- ence. The facilities utilised in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Shoal- haven were much appreciated, with the University of Wollon- gong proving to be the perfect base for the Games. We re- ceived excellent cooperation from the University, the Coun- cils, tourism bodies, sporting associations, media, volunteers and RASi so as to ensure the Games’ continued success. I once again thank ClubsNSW and the NSW Government (Office of Sport) for their financial support which was exem- plified by Minister Upton’s official opening the Games. Governance Having adopted a new Constitution in 2011, this year the Academy’s Committees having continued to review our gov- ernance and operations. Policies adopted so far include:- Medical, Tour (revised), New Sport (revised), Athlete with Disability Program and General Manager’s Job Description. In addition negotiations continue with various sports to iden- tify the appropriate pathways and, more importantly, ages of athletes entering our programs. The lowering of ages, as re- quired by some sports, presents difficulties for us especially in setting appropriate and valuable education content. A challenge for us was the release by the Office of Sport and Recreation of the Independent Review of Regional Acad- emies in NSW. This report identified areas in which each Academy should review its governance. We welcome this Report and accept the challenge to review our operations where we consider it necessary so as to serve our athletes and community to the best of our ability. Major improvement in our transparency and communication was in the review and upgrade of our website, facilitated by Aftershock Solutions – a new Academy Sponsor. This up- grade greatly enhances our links to our athletes and beyond. The Academy’s financial position continues to improve. I thank everybody whose commitment and support assists us to remain financially viable including our Auditor Murray Reid. We strive to be as cost effective as possible. 5 Sponsors Media/Community Fundamental to the Academy’s existence is the support The Academy is fundamentally a community based Illawarra or- from our sponsors. We are most grateful for the continued ganisation. So, to the media of the region thank you for your on- support of Government at both State and Local levels, the going support. You are a key conduit to our community. Illawarra Business community, sports associations and the University of Wollongong. The NSW Government, through the Office of Sport is our Conclusion major sponsor and along with five councils and the Univer- sity of Wollongong are our major financial partners. To the parents, coaches, managers, volunteers and supporters, I All councils in the Illawarra have maintained their strong fi- also offer a big thank you from the Board, and our Staff, for your nancial support to the Academy and for this we are most strong support in 2014. grateful. Our coaching staff and support staff are the key to our success The Mayoral Receptions for our athletes continue to be an on the field and like our sponsors, we can’t operate without you. annual highlight. To Shannon, Angela, Selin, Andrew and support staff (coaches/ We were pleased to welcome Collegians Rugby League manager) volunteers, sponsors, media and everybody associated Football Club as a Platinum Sponsor and Southern Phone with the Academy- on behalf of the Board, I offer a special thank as a Gold Major Event Sponsor late in 2013 and these two you for your support and assistance in 2014, as I do to the Board very worthy supporters have pledged to continue their spon- Members and especially the Executive, for your hard work and sorship in 2014. support over the last 12 months. Our major corporate sponsors are now Collegians,