Graham and NSWIS Winter Sport progam mark Olympic year’s ‘starting point’

NSWIS 2025-26 Moguls squad at the 26th annual Winter Sport Program Welcome Ceremony in Jindabyne

Matt Graham, the 2018 Winter Olympic (moguls) silver medallist, described the recent Welcome Ceremony for the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Winter Program’s scholarship holders as the ‘starting point’ for an action-packed Olympic year.

Graham celebrated his 18^th year as a NSWIS scholarship holder in front of a packed audience in Jindabyne which included the  scholarship holders’ proud family members, The Hon. Steve Whan MP – who presented each athlete with their certificate – as well as the Australian Olympic Committee’s President Ian Chesterman AM and CEO Mark Arbib, Olympic Winter Institute Australia Chair Dean Gosper and CEO Geoff Lipshut, Snow Australia CEO Michael Kennedy, and NSWIS CEO Professor Kevin Thompson.

NSWIS 2025-26 Para Individual squad at the 26th annual Winter Sport Program Welcome Ceremony in Jindabyne

Graham, 31, said he planned to ‘give back’ to the Institute’s younger athletes.

“It’s a special night, it’s a big one in our calendar year,” said Graham. “It’s where the whole NSWIS team and Winter Sport community comes together.

“It’s basically the starting point for the next 12 months and this is obviously a big year for the whole team, leading into the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Moguls coach Kate Blamey after being presented with an award at the 26th annual Winter Sport Program Welcome Ceremony in Jindabyne

“I believe it’s my 18^th year on scholarship here at NSWIS. I remember in the early years as a youngster looking up to the big names of the sport at the time and being inspired by the boys and girls of that generation – and now, being one of the more senior members of the team, I hope I can give back to some of the young blood in the team.”NSWIS CEO Professor Kevin Thompson urged the younger scholarship holders to not feel overawed or even daunted by standing alongside some their sports’ giants.

“This night is traditionally accompanied by a sense of great excitement and energy, and by the looks on the faces of all our scholarship holders and their families, especially those new to the program, I sense tonight will be no different,” said Professor Thompson, who presented NSWIS moguls coach Kate Blamey with an award for her (more than) five years’ service to NSWIS.

NSWIS 2025-26 Snowboard Cross squad at the 26th annual Winter Sport Program Welcome Ceremony in Jindabyne

“And in praising our Olympians and Paralympians, I expect that there is quite a few nerves among the new scholarship holders.

“I am aware many of you are standing alongside your idols tonight, people who you’ve looked up to for years. If history has taught me anything it’s taught me this: our newcomers are wondering ‘how on earth can I possibly emulate their achievements?’

NSWIS 2025-26 Park & Pipe squad at the 26th annual Winter Sport Program Welcome Ceremony in Jindabyne

“Yes, I know it may seem daunting, but I can guarantee you this: if you were to ask any of your heroes here how they felt at their first NSWIS Welcome ceremony, they’d reply they were also shaking in their boots.

“So, relax, you’re in great company. Also, remember this: your NSWIS scholarship is opening a new world to you, a world of unlimited possibilities. My advice to you is simply this: seize it.”

NSWIS Winter Sports Program Class of 2025/26

Freestyle Moguls: Jakara Anthony, Matthew Graham, Jackson Harvey, Edward Hill, Lottie Lodge, Oliver Logan, Talia Manns, George Murphy, Charlotte Wilson, Cooper Woods.

Snowboard Cross: Maya Billingham, Belle Brockhoff, Josie Baff, Cam Bolton, Mia Clift, Declan Dent, Amber Essex, James Johnstone, Jarryd Hughes, Adam Lambert, Will McCarthy, Cameron Turner, Abbey Wilson.

Park & Pipe: Emily Arthur, Indra Brown, Tess Coady, Joey Ellis, Valentino Guseli, Amelie Haskell, Abi Harrigan, Ally Hickman, Paige Jones, Aidan Laing, Jesse Parkinson, Josh Robertson-Hahn, Meila Stalker, Daisy Thomas.

Para Individual: Ethan Jackson (Para Ski Alpine), Josh Hanlon (Para Ski Alpine), Aaron McCarthy (Para Snowboard Cross), Sam Tait (Para Ski Alpine), Ben Tudhope (Para Snowboard Cross).

Daniel Lane, NSWIS

Photos: Lucas Wilkinson