2020 YEARBOOK - WRAS

2020 YEARBOOK

The Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) is a non-profit association that has supportedtalented regional athletes and coaches since July 1991. WRAS covers 17 local government areasin the central west and is one of 11 Regional Academies in NSW.

WRAS is governed by a Board consisting of 7 members who are nominated, elected andappointed from within the western region community. WRAS employs an Executive Officer, aSports Program Manager, an Office Manager and is supported by volunteers.

WRAS programs offer quality support and development opportunities to assist talented young athletes from the region achieve sporting excellence.

Mission Statement

To enhance and provide opportunities for aspiring regional athletes, coaches, and officials onthe pathway to sporting success.

Vision

To be the leader in regional sports development.

Benefits of WRAS to athletes• Intensive training sessions by local elite coaches

• Skills development

• Strength and conditioning / injury prevention screening and programs

• Inter-Academy high performance camps

• Sports science fitness testing

• Educational seminars

• Opportunities to complete in elite events.

About the Academy4,308 ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

SINCE WRAS’ INCEPTION (1991 – 2000)

Statement by Chair of the Board

There is little else that needs to be said about 2020 and the impact the global COVID-19pandemic had on us all. There is no individual, group, business, organisation, club, sector,industry, or institution that has not been affected in some way, with the impacts being well-documented.

As WRAS Chair, I am incredibly proud of how everyone involved with the organisationresponded.

Coaches, managers and other squad staff adapted their programs to accommodate lockdownprovisions. Athletes and their families embraced the ‘new normal’ of online Zoom sessions andthe use of a broad range of other online tools. Our administration team seamlessly transitionedinto a remote ‘work from home’ operational model and we got on with the job, as best we wereable.

I would like to acknowledge the stakeholders and organisations recognised by our ExecutiveOfficer in her report. Their support during the year was unwavering.

Importantly, I must thank the NSW Government for not forgetting the Regional Academiesduring the crisis. Through the Office of Sport, WRAS was kept informed with regular, concise,and accurate information that was consistent with the messaging emanating from othergovernment agencies. This ensured WRAS was able to be fully compliant with the various PublicHealth Orders issued by NSW Health.

Thank you also to my fellow board members, Deputy Chair Mick Bell, Dr Melissa Skein, Cr ScottFerguson, Brian Cobcroft, Carmen Dwyer and Tim Findlay. 2020 presented many challenges andI appreciate the support you have shown Candice and myself across the year.

Finally, a nod to our office team. Candice, Tanya, Vittorio and Nicole have done an amazing jobin extremely challenging circumstances over the past 12 months. Their efforts most certainlyhave not gone unnoticed.

As we move into 2021, we look forward to a year of celebration as we recognise our 30thAnniversary. I cannot think of a better way to close the book on 2020 and kick off the nextphase of the WRAS story!

Matthew Irvine, Chair

Board and Staff

Nicole JonesSports Program Manager

Mick Bell – NarromineDeputy Chair Community member since 2013

Tim Findlay – YoungTreasurer / Community member since August 2019

Brian Cobcroft – BathurstCommunity member since 2016

Carmen Dwyer – DubboCommunity member since August 2019

Cr Scott Ferguson – Mayor of Blayney / Local Government representative since 2013

Dr Melissa Skein – BathurstCharles Sturt University representative since 2014

Candice BoggsExecutive Officer

Tanya PallierOffice Manager

Matthew Irvine – BathurstChair Community member since 2012

Vittorio TravanCommunications Officer

Statement by Executive Officer

2020 has been a challenging but successful year for WRAS. Like all Organisations, we felt theimpacts of COVID-19 with so many significant events on our programs cancelled as per PublicHealth Orders.

In 2020, WRAS conducted squad programs for AFL, basketball, cycling, golf, hockey and netball.Individual scholarships were awarded to 3 high performance, 8 lone star and 3 para-sportathletes.

Whilst major events such as the Your Local Club Academy Games, WRAS Presentation Night andthe Greater Bank Academy Challenge were all cancelled due to COVID, our programs neverstopped running through the COVID lockdown. We increased communication with our athletesoffering online webinars with industry experts, elite athletes and coaches, and organised socialmedia challenges to keep our athletes active and engaged.

On behalf of the Board and staff of WRAS, I pass on my utmost thanks to our volunteer squadstaff for the additional work and training they have undertaken to ensure safe implementationof COVID safe practices allowing training opportunities to continue for athletes.

I want to acknowledge an important partnership that the Regional Academies of Sport (RASi)secured in 2021, formalising an agreement with the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS).A triumphant partnership that hits close to home for WRAS, having seen 7 graduate athletesprogress to NSWIS scholarships within the last 12 months.

Thank you to our major partners, the NSW Government, Charles Sturt University, Clubs NSWincluding Bathurst Panthers and Bathurst RSL, local councils and Greater Bank. With yoursupport, WRAS continues to provide opportunities and pathways for regional athletes andcoaches.

I look forward to welcoming 2021, the year WRAS celebrates its 30th anniversary. We lookforward to celebrating with you, our valued stakeholders and supporters.

With thanks,

Candice

Year in Review

Program Outline

The WRAS AFL program is endorsed by AFL NSW/ACT as the first step in the elite athletepathway and represents the female talent pathway for the Western Region.

The 2020 AFL Program ran from November 2019 – April 2020 and included:

• Orientation Camp at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bathurst where athletes took partin;

- team building workshop lead by Teams Challenge Australia focusing oncommunication, leadership, problem solving and building trust in teammates

- fitness testing carried out by CSU exercise science student interns andfunctional movement assessments conducted by PhyzX physiotherapists andexercise physiologists

- education sessions including; ‘mental health and wellbeing’ workshop withBatyr Australia, ‘Injury prevention and strength training’ education sessionpresented by PhyzX

• Squad training sessions rotating between Bathurst, Orange and Cowra whereathletes focused on skills improvement, handballing, kicking, decision making ingame situations, match play and game preparation.

Program Highlights

• Team Bonding camp in Bathurst that included skills based training sessions as well aseducation sessions focusing on goal setting, positive mindset, Nutrition workshoppresented by Ward Nutrition and an athlete perspective workshop with NSW StatePlayer and 2019 WRAS Graduate Athlete, Eloise Hiller-Stanbrook.

• Inter academy camp where WRAS AFL athletes joined Southern Sports Academy andIllawarra Academy of Sport’s athletes for a Tri-Series Camp at Borambola Sport andRecreation Centre with Ash Moeller (AFL NSW/ACT female talent pathway manager).

AFL Program Highlights

Tasmyn Davies (Hampton)Mikelli Garratt (Cowra)

Teagan Germech (Bathurst)Elizabeth Gibson (Orange)Taylah Griffin (Bathurst)

Ineka Hart (Erin Vale)Anna McPherson (Orange)

Molly Mann (Bathurst)Dakota Nugent (Bathurst)

Zoe Peters (Mandurama)Tess Roberts (Cowra)Elly Rudd (Bathurst)

Ellie Silk (Young)Keely Toole (Bathurst)Kalari Wade (Bathurst)Taylah Wade (Bathurst)

Bridget Warne (Bathurst)Jacinta Windsor (Bathurst)

2020 GRADUATE ATHLETES

2020 SQUAD STAFFLuke Le Page - Head Coach (Cowra)

Emma Clark - Assistant Coaches (Orange)Jayarna Kay - Assistant Coaches (Bathurst)

Wendy Silk – Manager (Young)

Major events on the AFL calendar between April-September were cancelled due to COVID-19

Program Outline

The WRAS basketball program is endorsed by Basketball NSW as a step in the eliteathlete pathway and represents the Development Athlete Program for the WesternRegion.

The 2020 basketball program ran from October 2019 - April 2020 and included:

• Orientation at Charles Sturt University Bathurst where athletes took part in;


- fitness testing by CSU exercise science students and functional movementassessments conducted by PhyzX physiotherapists and exercise physiologists

- education sessions including; ‘mental health and wellbeing’ workshop with BatyrAustralia, ‘Injury prevention and strength training’ education session presentedby PhyzX

• Squad training days rotating between Bathurst, Orange and Lithgow focusing onindividual skill development and match preparation.

Program Highlights

• WRAS athletes were joined by WRAS graduate, Mitch Selwood (Ex NBL athlete andU20 Australian World Champion) who spoke to the squad about his journey fromwestern region athlete to the elite level.

• Training session with Curtis Sardi, Basketball NSW High Performance Coach

• Ainsley Holmes – U16 Country team for Aust. Jnr Basketball Cup 2020

• Charlie McCormack – State Performance Program, U18 Country Squad, U16 Countryteam for Aust. Jnr Basketball Cup, Country Hoopfest and D League

• Olivia Hopper – Country Hoopfest and D League

Basketball Squad Program Highlights

Isabella Brotherton-Farr (Orange)Joshua Bywater (Dubbo)Max Campbell (Bathurst)

Lucy Cook (Orange)Aaliyah Hargraves (Dubbo)

Riley Hart (Lithgow)Samantha Harvey (Orange)

Ainsley Holmes (Orange)Olivia Hopper (West Wyalong)

Charlie McCormack (Ariah Park)

Ben Meagher (Nashdale)Phoebe Moller (Bathurst)

Eli Morris (Bathurst)Rhys O’Neill (Gilgandra)

Haydan Rodham (Lithgow)Regan Sanderson (Blackheath)

Jack Strawns (Dubbo)Isabella Taylor (Orange)

Harrison Wells (Capertee)Lara Winterton (Dubbo)


2020 SQUAD STAFFAdam Marjoram - Head Coach (Lithgow)Craig Harvey - Assistant Coach (Orange)Scott Holmes - Assistant Coach (Orange)

Jack McCormack - Apprentice Coach (Ariah Park)

Major events on the Basketball calendar between April-September were cancelled due to COVID-19

Program Outline

The WRAS basketball program is endorsed by Basketball NSW as a step in the elite athletepathway and represents the Development Athlete Program for the Western Region.

The 2020 basketball program ran from October 2019 - April 2020 and included:

• Orientation at Charles Sturt University Bathurst where athletes took part in;




• Squad training days rotating between Bathurst, Orange and Lithgow focusing onindividual skill development and match preparation.

Program Highlights

• WRAS athletes competed at the Coastal Classic tournament in January 2020.

• WRAS athletes were joined by WRAS graduate, Mitch Selwood (Ex NBL athlete andU20 Australian World Champion) who spoke to the squad about his journey fromwestern region athlete to the elite level.

• Training session with Curtis Sardi, Basketball NSW High Performance Coach

• Jai Simcoe – U14 Talented Athlete Program, Country Hoopfest and D League

• Riley George – U14 Talented Athlete Program, Country Hoopfest, Country Shootoutand D League

• Georgia McCormack – U14 Talented Athlete Program, Country Shootout, Sand Slam,D League

• Roxy George – Country Hoopfest and D League

Basketball Development Program Highlights

Abbey Bracken (Bathurst)Toby Campbell (Lithgow)Jack Gangemi (Bathurst)Roxy George (Bathurst)Riley George (Bathurst)

Chloe Goodman (Wallerawang)Eloise Harvey (Dubbo)Taj Jenkins (Lithgow)

Camryn Jones (Lithgow)Piper Kildea (Bathurst)

Rachel Masling (Lucknow) Georgia McCormack (Ariah Park)

Jai McMillan (Wallerawang)Luke O’Neill (Gilgandra)

Jai Simcoe (Lithgow)Maya Thompson (Orange)Mitchell Wallace (Lithgow)

Jacob White-Thurgood (Bathurst) Emily Winterson (Dubbo)


2020 SQUAD STAFFAdam Marjoram - Head Coach (Lithgow)Craig Harvey - Assistant Coach (Orange)Scott Holmes - Assistant Coach (Orange)

Jack McCormack - Apprentice Coach (Ariah Park)

Major events on the Basketball calendar between April-September were cancelled due to COVID-19

Program Highlights

Tyler Puzicha and Kalinda Robinson awarded NSW Institute of Sport scholarships. BenAnderson and Luke Tuckwell awarded Team Raulands scholarships for 2021 season.

Cycling NSW 2019 Cyclists of the Year - Kalinda Robinson (U17W), Ben Anderson(U15M) and Ebony Robinson (U13W).

Kalinda Robinson and Daniel Googe - Australian medal at U19 Track Nationals. Kalinda- 2 Silver and Daniel - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze.

Nine WRAS cyclists selected in NSW 2020 State Track Teams - Ben Anderson, XavierBland, Zara Fuller, Daniel Googe, Cadel Lovett, Tyler Puzicha, Ebony Robinson, IsabelleRussell, Luke Tuckwell. (2020 U15/U17 Track Nationals were cancelled).

Four WRAS cyclists selected in NSW 2020 State Road Teams – Ben Anderson, XavierBland, Cadel Lovett, Isabelle Russell. (2020 U15/17 Road Nationals were cancelled).

WRAS cyclists won 23 State medals at NSW U15/U17 Track Championships - BenAnderson (4 Silver, 1 Bronze), Xavier Bland (1 Silver, 3 Bronze), Cadel Lovett (1 Silver,1 Bronze), Tyler Puzicha (3 Gold), Ebony Robinson (4 Silver, 1 Bronze), Isabelle Russell(1 Silver, 1 Bronze) and Luke Tuckwell (2 Bronze).

Kalinda Robinson won 5 State medals (4 Gold, 1 Silver) at NSW U19 TrackChampionships. Kalinda also won the 2019/2020 Cycling NSW Grand Prix series.

Isabelle Russell won a Silver State medal at NSW U15 State Criterium Championships.

WRAS cyclists won 8 State medals at NSW U15/U17 Road Championships – BenAnderson (1 Silver), Xavier Bland (1 Gold, 1 Bronze), Cadel Lovett (1 Silver,1 Bronze), Isabelle Russell (1 Gold, 1 Silver) and Luke Tuckwell (1 Silver).

Oceania Track Champs. (Oct 2019) - Kalinda Robinson completed her campaign with3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze. Daniel Googe finished 4th in the Team Sprint.

WRAS cyclists attended a track cycling camp at Dunc Gray. Sean Eddie, NSWIS CyclingTrack Coach was a guest coach at the camp. Cyclists participated in an ASADA ‘Drugs inSport’ session with Noemie Fox (Australian World Championship Canoeist) and a‘Breath, Mind, Body, Control’ workshop with Teams Challenge Australia.

Vaughn Eather selected as Cycling NSW Coach for U15/U17 and U19/Elite TrackNationals and was nominated as a finalist for NSW Community Coach of the Year (SportNSW).

Cycling Program Highlights

Ben Anderson (Orange)Xavier Bland (Orange)

Cameron Crump (Orange)Patrick Crump (Orange)

Zara Fuller (Dubbo)Daniel Googe (Bathurst)

Trent Hines (Dubbo)

Cadel Lovett (Bathurst)Tyler Puzicha (Bathurst)

Ebony Robinson (O’Connell)Kalinda Robinson (O’Connell)

Isabelle Russell (Dubbo)Luke Tuckwell (Orange)


2020 SQUAD STAFFVaughn Eather – Coordinating Coach (Dubbo)

Marian Renshaw – Coordinating Coach (Bathurst)

Major events on the Cycling calendar between April-September were cancelled due to COVID-19

Program Outline

The WRAS golf program is endorsed by Jack Newton Junior Golf as the first step in theelite athlete pathway and represents the talent pathway for the Western Region.

The 2020 golf program ran from November 2019 – July 2020 and included:





• Training sessions rotating between Orange and Bathurst focusing on skillsdevelopment, mental game, physical development, course management and matchpreparation. Golfers had the opportunity to work with the ‘Swing Eagle’ to showthem how to better control their swing plane.

• Training camp in February 2020 commenced at the Bathurst Driving Range with JohnCrampton, elite Sports Psychologist who has previously worked with Olympic levelathletes and professional sporting teams.

Athlete Achievements

• Ella Murray - wild card invite to the 2020 Womens NSW Golf Open, Girls 14-15yrsScratch Champion at the Wagga Wagga Junior Masters (her third consecutive agedivision title at this event) and 4th overall in the Girls Championship.

• Ben Davis, Cameron Jackson and Ella Murray selected in 2020 Jack Newton JuniorGolf Development Program.

• Cooper Starkey was the Boys 11yrs Scratch and Nett Champion at the Wagga WaggaJunior Masters.

• Ben Davis and Thomas Large – selected to represent Team South at the RegionalAcademies of Sport Presidents Cup.

Golf Program Highlights

Harry Daniels (Wentworth Falls)Ben Davis (Bathurst)Jake Davis (Bathurst)

Cameron Jackson (Bathurst)


2020 HEAD COACHBruce McLean, PGA Professional (Orange)

Thomas Large (Kandos)Ella Murray (Dubbo)

Cooper Starkey (Bathurst)

2020 DEVELOPMENT ATHLETE

Joey Walker (Warren)

Major events on the Golf calendar between April-September were cancelled due to COVID-19

Program Outline

The WRAS hockey program is endorsed by Hockey NSW as a step in the elite athletepathway and represents the Development Athlete Program for the Western Region.

The 2020 hockey program ran from November 2019 – April 2020 and included:

• Orientation at Charles Sturt University Bathurst where athletes took part in:




• Squad training days and weekends held in Bathurst and Parkes as well as weeklytraining sessions in athletes hometowns.

Program Highlights

• Training session with Lindl Taylor, Coach of the Australian and NSW Masterswomen’s teams

• Inter-academy camp where WRAS athletes joined Central Coast, North Coast,Northern Inland and Hunter Academy for a high performance camp in Armidale.Kieran Govers (Retired Australian Olympian and World Cup hockey player) and GregDoolan (Hockey NSW Regional Coaching Coordinator) were guest coaches at thiscamp. Matt Pine (ex S&C Coach for the Sydney Swans) held strength and conditioningskills sessions for the athletes.

• WRAS athletes Tyler Baillie, Charlotte Heath, James Luck and Samuel Giumelli wereselected for Hockey NSW’s Accelerated Athlete Program.

• WRAS Head Coach Kent Bestwick, selected as NSW U15 womens state assistantcoach.

Hockey Program Highlights

Tyler Baillie (Bathurst)Oliver Brown (Dubbo)

Alexandra Cook (Orange)Connor Davis (Orange)

Samuel Giumelli (Orange)Emily Gould (Orange)

Charlotte Heath (Orange)Kallum Jenkins (Lithgow)

Nicholas Job (Parkes)James Luck (Lithgow)

Jemma Luelf (Weethalle)Kenzie Macfarlane (Dubbo)

Clare Mawhood (Oberon)Madalyn McLean (Lithgow)

Evan McMullen (Dubbo)Kiana Pakinga (Orange)

Taunui Pakinga (Orange)Alexandra Pilcher (Dubbo)

Brooke Pilcher (Dubbo)Emmie Searl (Dubbo)Katelyn Tink (Dubbo)

Benjamin Watson (Bathurst)Kelsey Webb (Bathurst)Kelsie Whyte (Lithgow)


2020 SQUAD STAFFKent Bestwick - Head Coach (Bathurst)

Annie Pakinga - Assistant Coach (Orange)Daryl Frost - Assistant Coach (Orange)

Katie Nolan – Goalkeeper Coach (Dubbo)ian McAlister – Manager (Orange)

Major events on the Hockey calendar between April-September were cancelled due to COVID-19

Program Outline

The high performance program provides support to WRAS graduate athletes who have

competed at state, national or international level to allow them to continue to progress

successfully to the next level of representation.

Daniel Barber (WRAS cycling squad athlete 2016-2019)

NSW Institute of Sport scholarship holder.

2019 NSW U17M Cyclist of the Year.

4 Australian medals at 2020 Track National Championships - 3 Gold and 1 Silver.

5 State track medals in 2020 - 4 Gold and 1 Silver.

Dylan Eather (WRAS cycling squad athlete 2016-2019)

NSW Institute of Sport scholarship holder.

1 Australian medal at 2020 Track National Championships – Bronze.

4 State medals in 2020 – 1 Gold and 2 Bronze for track, 1 Bronze for road.

Dylan started the 2020 NSW road season by winning the 90km race at the Tolland

Open (from 132 starters) and coming 3rd in the 72km race (from 121 starters).

Kurt Eather (WRAS cycling squad athlete 2014 – 2018)

NSW Institute of Sport scholarship holder

2019 NSW U19M Cyclist of the Year.

3 Australian track medals at the 2020 Track National Championships – 1 Gold, 1

Silver, 1 Bronze

3 State medals in 2020 – 1 Gold and 1 Silver for track, 1 Gold for road.

High Performance Athletes

Daniel Barber (Dubbo)

Dylan Eather (Dubbo)

Kurt Eather (Dubbo)


Major events and competitions between April-September were cancelled due to COVID-19

Lone Star Program

The Lone Star programs are tailored for pre-elite youth athletes who have no eligible

WRAS squad programs for their sport. It is expected that athletes are at the level of

representing NSW in their sport.

Para-Sports Program

Para-Sports Para Sports Program is tailored for pre-elite youth athletes who compete at

national events (representing NSW) and are aspiring to represent Australia in para-sports

competition in their chosen sport.

Athlete Achievements

Cushla Rue – selected to attend the Australian Matilda’s Talent Identification

Camp.

Thomas Robinson – qualified for National Age Championships (100m Freestyle)

and the Australian National Championships (50m Butterfly).

Kane Simmons – Gold medal at Australian All Schools Championships (U18 boys

javelin with personal best of 62.34m).

Alesha Bennetts – Silver medal at Australian All Schools Championships (U16 girls

400m sprint with personal best time).

Breanna Fisk – Silver medal at Australian All Schools Championships (U16 girl’s

multi-class discus).

Breanna Fisk – selected in Basketball NSW 2020 team for Kevin Coombs Cup for

wheelchair athletes (unfortunately this event was cancelled).

Aaron Houston – Bronze medal at Australian All Schools Championship (U18 boy’s

para 800m).

Lone Star and Para-Sport Athletes

Lone Star

Alesha Bennetts (Athletics – Mudgee)Tayla Brasier (Tennis – Bathurst)

Emilee Curran (Swimming – Bathurst)Thomas Robinson (Swimming – Grenfell)

Cushla Rue (Football – Bathurst)Kane Simmons (Athletics – Bathurst)

Para-Sports

Breanna Fisk (Wheelchair Basketball – Bathurst)Aaron Houston (Athletics – Bathurst)


Major events and competitions between April-September were cancelled due to COVID-19

Program Outline

The WRAS netball program is endorsed by Netball NSW as the first step in the eliteathlete pathway and represents the female talent pathway for the Western Region.

The 2020 netball program sponsored by Greater Bank ran from February – September2020 and included:





Program Highlights

• A team building camp at Lake Burrendong Sport and Recreation centre, squadtraining days in Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange ad weekly home training sessions inBathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Wellington in February-March 2020.

• Lilli Mooney selected for UTS Randwick Sparks in the U23 Premier League, NetballNSW Emerging Talent Program and selected to Phase 3 of the NSW U17 State TeamTrials. Olivia Dolbel was selected to attend Phase 2 trials.

• Greater Bank Athlete of the month awards went to Megan Eslick (February 2020)and Hope Coombes (July 2020)

• Online education sessions focusing on resilience, mental toughness as well as guestspeaker Sam Poolman (Giants netball, Suncorp Super Netball) speaking to the squadabout her journey from regional athlete to elite athlete.

• WRAS Head Coach Linda Macleod awarded Elite Level Coaching Accreditationthrough Netball NSW

Netball Program Highlights

Mia Baggett (Mudgee)Mariah Burnicle-Tavita (Mudgee)

Taliyaha Chatfield (Bathurst)Hope Coombes (Bathurst)Georgia Cornish (Lidster)

Bronte Cullen-Ward (Bathurst)Sarah Dickerson (Bathurst)

Olivia Dolbel (Parkes)Ruby Eggert (Dubbo)

Megan Eslick (Orange)Evie Hall (Dubbo)

Eva Keegan (Orange)Courtney May (Dubbo)Zoe McAneney (Dubbo)

Makalya McKeown (Geurie)Lilli Mooney (Bathurst)

Maddison Morgan (Dubbo)*Asha Nicol (Orange)

Amity O’Brien (Orange)*Mimi Taylor (Bathurst)

Hannah-Lee Williams (Bathurst)Hallie Wolfenden (Cowra)


2020 SQUAD STAFFLinda Macleod – Head Coach (Dubbo)

Karen Weekes – Assistant Coach (Dubbo)Rebecca May – Apprentice Coach (Dubbo)

Deanne Davis – Manager (Dubbo)

*satellite athlete

Major events on the Netball calendar between April-September were cancelled due to COVID-19

The NSW Government Office of Sport is the major partner of WRAS and the Regional Academies of Sport NSW (RASi). Office of Sport provide financial support to RASias well as professional development opportunities for staff via conferences and workshops. Office of Sport also offer coach development for regional academy coachesthrough their scholarship program in partnership with NSWIS.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Exercise Science, Sports and Health staff and students supported the 2020 athletes with injury prevention and performanceprograms. WRAS Interns for 2020 were CSU sports science students Adam Booth, Blair Gowland, Emily Kennedy, Nathan Maher and Emily Thurlow.

In July 2020 RASi and the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) announced a partnership that will deliver improved pathway opportunities for regionally based athletes. The4 year agreement will identify and support the transition of talented athletes into high performance pathways, as well as providing opportunity to develop regionalcoaches.

WRAS is an active member of Regional Academies of Sport Inc (RASi), the collective of NSW Regional Academies of Sport.

Since July 2017 Your Local Club has been the major community partner of RASi (the collective of NSW Regional Academies of Sport). As part of the partnership ‘YourLocal Club’ support the education program for all NSW Academy athletes.

Greater Bank has the been the major partner of the WRAS Netball Program since 2018. In addition to supporting the WRAS Netball athletes, Greater Bank are also majorsponsors of the Greater Bank Academy Challenge, a yearly tournament showcasing the top 300 pre-elite netballers in NSW.

Aceit Sportswear – official apparel partner of WRAS provided 2020 athletes and squad staff with uniforms. Aceit caters for the wide range of sporting programs WRASoffers.

WRAS partnered with PhyzX for the delivery of injury prevention and performance programs for the 2020 athletes. PhyzX provided education, functional movementscreening and programs for the WRAS athletes. PhyzX also held one-on-one sessions for Lone Star athletes and training and support for the CSU student interns

Partnerships

Western Region Supporters

Friends of the Academy

Friends of the Academy sponsorship assistsathletes with their WRAS program costs.

The support provided by the following localbusinesses was greatly appreciated by the2020 athletes and their families:

Bathurst

• Bathurst Family Podiatry Clinic

• Bathurst Family Physiotherapy

• D A Campbell Transport Pty Ltd

• Limekilns Cherry Farm

Dubbo

• Avalon Drafting Pty Ltd

• Brownrite Building Group Pty Limited

Lithgow

• Lithgow Refrigeration, Heating and Cooling

Orange

• R W Corkery Pty Ltd

• Craig Harvey Mechanical Repairs

• John Cook Real Estate

• Simon Roberts Painting

The ClubGRANTS program has provided much needed financial assistance for athletes in WRASprograms.

From 2003 Bathurst Panthers and Bathurst RSL Club and from 2006 Orange City Bowling Cluband Orange Ex-Services Club have provided ClubGRANTS to assist WRAS athletes.

Over the past 18 years, 524 junior athletes from the central west have been supported by theselocal Clubs, ensuring the athletes selected on their potential can participate in the pathway tohigher representative selection. With ClubGRANTS support these athletes may not have been apart of the WRAS program that provide opportunities not necessarily available to most regionalathletes.

ClubGRANTS funding has helped athletes with:

• Reduced athlete levies for their WRAS program

• WRAS uniform costs

• Travel and accommodation to attend high performance camps and competitions.

Each year the WRAS athletes who have benefitted from this assistance write a thank you letterto the Clubs. The extracts on the right of the page show how much being part of the WRASprograms means to them.

Thank you to the generous local Clubs that have helped the WRAS athletes.

Local Clubs Supporting Local Athletes

ATHLETE TESTIMONIALS

“The WRAS program has taught me so many things, being part of a team

environment, learning new life skills and it’s given me a drive to succeed in

making higher level teams again in my hockey career” – WRAS athlete

“Being part of the WRAS program is more than just a badge on a wall, it is a

steppingstone to going further in the path towards International events and

the Olympics. The program has given me opportunities to develop myself in

ways which I would not know of without the program. Their training camps

have also aided in the technical side of competing along with the use of

those facilities used at the high-level events” – WRAS athlete

Documents

2020 YEARBOOK - WRAS