Talented young athletes from across the state will undergo an intensive education program covering everything from the dangers of drugs in sport to nutrition and financial literacy, thanks to a new ClubsNSW funded scheme.
ClubsNSW has committed $200,000 a year for the next three years towards the program, which will provide a best practice health and wellbeing program to over 2,000 talent identified young athletes across the state, including from our very own South West Sydney Academy of Sport.
ClubsNSW Chairman Peter Newell said the partnership reinforced the club industry’s long standing commitment to local sport.
The regional academy network was a natural fit for the club industry, he said.
NSW clubs contribute $65 million to junior sport every year through Clubgrants funding, for things like uniforms and equipment, as well as the provision of sporting infrastructure.
And now, through its partnership program with Regional Academies of Sport, it will be able to provide guidance on off-field issues as well; which all too often derail promising sporting careers.
The new Athlete Education Program curriculum will cover a range of issues including, nutrition, drugs in sport, drugs in the community, financial fitness, media training/social media, public speaking, sports medicine, sports psychology, fitness testing, integrity in sport, mental health first aid and also youth leadership.
The program has been announced on the eve of the 13th annual Academy Games, a three day tournament showcasing the wonderful talent of Academy athletes from across the state and will be delivered both face to face and backed up by the development of an online hub.
In signing the new deal ClubsNSW also reaffirmed its commitment to the hugely successful Academy Games for a further three years, bringing the total investment close to $250,000 annually.
Regional Academies are designed to support and progress talent identified and pre-elite athletes, by providing participants with an insight into the skills, knowledge and personal attributes they will need to progress to the elite levels of their chosen sport.
SWSAS executive director Gerry Knights says all Regional Academies of Sport across NSW were excited to be working with ClubsNSW to develop these cutting edge resources in relation to athlete education and he envisages that the program will be ready in time for the Academy’s 2017/2018 intake year.
For more information about SWSAS visit the Academy here or telephone 4627 7622.
