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 for 2016.
Mayor Ned Mannoun has long praised the work of the academy and was pleased to personally present the award to the executive director Gerry Knights as part of Liverpool’s outstanding Australia Day celebrations.
Mr 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.
The future was looking rosy for the academy and its athletes, he said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“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,’’ Mr Knights said.[/social_quote]
The academy has exceeded all growth expectations in recent years.
It more than doubled its athlete intake from 163 scholarship holders three years ago to 345 in 2015.
Mr Knights says this growth included a marked increase in the number of athletes and coaching and support staff members, gaining skill and sports education opportunities, from within the Liverpool LGA.
But it was worth pointing out that as the academy operates with only two fulltime staff members, this accomplishment had been achieved largely due to the dedication of its volunteers.
“Academy volunteers provided more than 9,000 volunteer hours in 2015, valued at over $400,000,’’ Mr Knights said.
“Liverpool City Council is one of the academy’s four foundation member councils,’’ Mr Knights said.
“Liverpool 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.
“To receive this great Australia Day award from Liverpool Council is a reflection on our athletes and our volunteers,’’ Mr Knights said.
