Bronte Halligan OLY With a father who was a rugby league superstar, and a sister who represented New Zealand in Surf Life Saving, Bronte Halligan grew up in a family that was so competitive the loser of their card games had to do the washing up! The water polo Olympian reveals the purpose of that was to strive to be better versions of themselves through honing the competitive spirit. Her parents instilled in their children that the requirements to become a good person and a good athlete was dedication, time, commitment and values. Halligan shares why, in a house that was fiercely pro-New Zealand, she willingly embraced Australia and the nation’s green and gold battle colours. #NSWISLightsUp
Tim Hodge PLY Paralympian and World Champion Tim Hodge opens up about his journey as a Para athlete and why he would not change anything. He recalls the day his parents put him the car to have his right foot amputated, his struggles as he tried different sports, before finding his niche as a swimmer, a discovery that would take him around the world, wearing the green and gold for Australia. #NSWISLightsUp
Sarah Carli OLY An advertisement in Sarah Carli’s school’s newsletter asking for new members to join the Wollongong City Little Athletics club helped put the eight-year-old on the path to becoming a gifted hurdler. As she was preparing for her first Olympic campaign, she found herself thrust into a life and death nightmare when an accident in the gym resulted in a bar stacked with weights crushing her neck. #NSWISLightsUp
Tara Rigney OLY After being selected for the NSW under 19 netball team, Tara Rigney was on the path to fulfilling her dream of reaching the elite level of that sport. However, her dreams came to a shattering halt after two torturous ACL injuries in the space of one year. Rigney speaks frankly about the isolation and struggles she endured through not being able to train or play alongside her teammates. However, the setback opened a new sporting career path in rowing which led to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and a world championship medal. #NSWISLightsUp
Dylan Littlehales PLY Born with only four toes in his left foot, Dylan Littlehales challenged the doctors with his condition from a young age. In between playing sports he endured over 20 major surgeries and wore a special frame which had metal bars sticking into his bones to stretch them. His parents supported him to push through every challenge – he wasn’t raised a quitter. #NSWISLightsUp
Olivia Price OLY & Evie Haseldine Olympic silver medallist Olivia Price likes to tell people she’s known her crewmate Evie Haseldine since she was ‘in her mother’s belly!’ Olivia vividly remembers when Evie’s mother was pregnant and carrying Evie. Little could she know that one day – at Evie’s insistence – they’d pair up just 18 months before the Paris Olympics to launch an audacious medal campaign. #NSWISLightsUp
Shane Rose OLY Shane Rose was introduced to horse riding as a five- year-old and it was love at first ride – although, his first pony Mickey Mouse was nothing like the loveable Disney character. Horse riding comes with dangers, but Roses’s worse injury occurred out of the saddle when a young thoroughbred he was teaching to go into a starting gate, kicked out and connected with the bottom of the face. The damage was horrendous. This is the near fatal story of Shane Rose.
Tilly Kearns OLY Inspired from a young age to represent her country in sport by her father who was an Australian Rugby Union Wallaby legend, Tilly Kearns learnt from her family that hard work and achieving quietly are important life values. Tilly shares how she fell into the deep end playing water polo, her opinions on the claws and nails and how her journey to America has paved to the Australian natinoal team. #NSWISLightsUp
Noemie Fox Growing up with two parents who’d represented their respective countries at the Olympic Games, and a sister who was destined for greatness, Noemie Fox learnt from an early age that hard work and determination are the requirements for success. Noemie opens up about pressure, courage and her incredible dream.
Sam Fricker OLY One of the greatest aspects of his involvement in diving, says Sam Fricker, is how the sport has helped him develop many qualities, including self-esteem – an attribute he says that can’t be bought. Sam talks about the importance of chipping away to realise a plan and reach a goal as well as meeting Tom Cruise and his millions of social media followers.
Eleanor Patterson Oly Two time Olympian Eleanor Patterson talks openly about her journey from an idyllic childhood in regional Victoria to becoming World Champion in high jump in 2022. She shares a personal insight into her support network – her family, her school teacher and her coach – and examines the deeper issues of being an elite athlete by defining athletic courage, delving into mindfulness and the importance of being in the moment during competition.
A PROUD HISTORY AND LEGACY Since 1996 NSWIS has made an incredible contribution to the medal tallies at Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our History
