ClubsNSW Ramps Up its Commitment to Regional Sport
Published Tue 11 Apr 2017
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 to be administered by the Regional Academies of Sport (RASi).
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 2000
young people across the state.
ClubsNSW Chairman Peter Newell said the partnership with RASi reinforced the club industry’s ongoing support for local sport.
“The relationship with RASi is a natural fit for the club industry, given our long-standing commitment to local sport and development of junior athletes,” Mr Newell said.
“NSW clubs contribute $67.8 million to sport each and every year, through ClubGRANTS funding, for things like junior uniforms and equipment, as well as the provision of sporting infrastructure collectively worth billions of dollars.
“Clubs help get junior athletes onto the playing field and give them the tools they need to play the sport they love.
“Now, through our partnership program with the Regional Academies of Sport, we will be able to provide guidance on off-field issues as well which, all too often, de-rail
promising sporting careers,” Mr Newell said.
The new Athlete Education Program curriculum will cover a range of issues including:
• Nutrition
• Drugs in sport and the community
• Financial fitness
• Media training / social media
• Public speaking
• Sports psychology
• Integrity in sport
• Mental health first aid
• Youth leadership
The program will be delivered both face to face (in regional clubs) and backed up by the development of an online hub.
In signing the new deal with the Regional Academies of Sport, ClubsNSW also reaffirmed its commitment to the Academy Games for a further three years, bringing
the total investment close to $250,000 annually.
The ClubsNSW Academy Games is a three-day tournament showcasing the wonderful talent of Academy Athletes from across the state. ClubsNSW has been the major
sponsor of the event since 2008.
There are 11 Regional Academies of Sport in NSW, the first of which emerged in Wollongong more than 25 years ago.
They are designed to act as a conduit between grassroots sports participation and the pre-elite levels of sport representation, 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.RASi Chair and CEO of the Hunter Academy of Sport Brett O’Farrell praised the club industry for its unwavering commitment to junior sport.
“We’re thrilled ClubsNSW has decided to continue and increase its support for the annual ClubsNSW Academy Games,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“It confirms their support for junior sport development in NSW.
“What cements it more is this landmark decision to back a new consistent statewide personal development program. RASi is excited to be working with ClubsNSW to
develop cutting edge resources in relation to athlete education.”
This year’s ClubsNSW Academy Games will be hosted by the Central Coast Academy of Sport from April 7-9, showcasing the state’s best athletes across nine sports:
Basketball, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby Sevens, Softball, Tenpin Bowling, Triathlon and Surfing.
The Athlete Education Program will commence rollout in 2017/18.