NSW Sport High Schools Partner With AOC

New South Wales has scored a first with the state’s seven Sports High Schools officially becoming Australian Olympic Pathway Schools from today.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell MLC and NSW Sports Minister Alister Henskens SC, MLA with Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Chief Executive Matt Carroll, jointly announced the partnership, aimed at boosting opportunities for talented NSW athletes to progress their sporting and academic careers.

In a further boost for schools across NSW, the state government has also announced Australia’s largest Olympic education initiative, with an extension of the “Olympics Unleashed” program set to reach 250,000 school students over the next three years. NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder and Olympics Unleashed presenter, Sarah Carli, said this was an excellent result for program.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the unique designation from the Australian Olympic Committee for these schools was fantastic news and would help boost the State’s efforts to create future generations of Olympians and Paralympians.

“Our seven Sports High Schools in NSW are the only secondary schools in Australia to have this prestigious recognition.

“This reflects the great strength of our sports high school network, and their excellent track record in fostering both sporting high performance and academic achievement. I can’t wait to see the next generation of medal-winning athletes coming from our public schools as we look to Brisbane 2032.”

The seven Sports High Schools in NSW receiving this recognition are Endeavour Sports High School, The Hills Sports High School, Hunter Sports High School, Illawarra Sports High School, Matraville Sports High School, Narrabeen Sports High School and Westfields Sports High School.

The NSW Government has also confirmed a $1.5 million boost to extend the successful “Olympics Unleashed” school program, aimed at supporting students through the power of sport, until 2026.

“The award-winning Olympics Unleashed program, which teaches our students important life skills in decision making, goal setting and overcoming adversity, has reached more than 75,000 Year 9 students over the last three years,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Continuing it for a further three years will mean thousands more young people, including primary school aged students for the first time, will benefit from the program delivered by Olympians and aspiring Olympians.

“Sporting heroes are made in our public schools and particularly our amazing sport high schools, so it is fitting and incredibly exciting to recognise their role in Australian sporting excellence by acknowledging them as ‘Olympic Pathway Schools’.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to supporting the State’s seven sports high schools in their endeavour to develop future Australian Olympians.

“The students at our sports high schools today will be our heroes standing on the podium at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and this partnership will strengthen their opportunity for international success,” Mr Henskens said.

“The first-of-its-kind in Australia, this initiative will encourage even more high school students to reach for the stars, as well as provide programs to help young people stay focused and motivated while they’re studying and trying to forge a pathway in their respective sports.”

AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll says the Australian Olympic Pathway Schools designation is an important recognition of the value of the Sports High Schools network in NSW.

“The key to sporting excellence is to align participation, pathways and high performance into the virtuous circle. To have this alignment at high school level is powerful, particularly as we look to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

“The Australian Olympic Pathway Schools designation provides an additional motivation and validates the specialisation being undertaken within each Sports High School.

“We have seen Olympic Training Centres recognised around Australia and overseas, but never at the school level in this country.

“The AOC is thrilled by the extension of the Olympics Unleashed program. Our Olympic athletes can deliver these sessions across the state, including regional areas and Indigenous communities. We will reach 1800 schools across the three years.

“It’s important that our young people pursue a passion – we want students to get active but finding your passion may lie beyond sport. Olympics Unleashed teaches students the value of finding a passion and really becoming their best selves. That’s the most important lesson.

“Our thanks to the NSW Government for their investment in the future of our youth.

“This is such an exciting time for our Olympic sports with a green and gold runway leading to Brisbane 2032 and opportunities for a decade beyond that,” Mr Carroll concluded.

Two times Olympic cyclist Kate Bates, a product of Westfield Sports High, says the Olympic status of the schools will inspire a new generation to chase an Olympic dream.

“Coming through a sports high school program allowed me to balance education and an elite sport pathway without having to compromise either. It also meant I was amongst peers who, even though they were in different sports, understood the journey, and added an enormously beneficial layer of support.

“Having the Australian Olympic Pathway School designation offers even more inspiration for our future Olympians to strive for.

“Being an Olympian has had an extraordinary impact on my life. From being a child aspiring to be like the athletes I saw on my screens, to experiencing the Olympic journey, and coming full circle to realising that my journey has inspired the generation below me to chase their own dreams.

“Now students at the sports high schools have extra motivation to chase their own Olympic dream and be part of this incredible Olympic community,” she concluded.

The state’s Sports High School have produced 32 Olympic athletes, including Kyah Simon (Football), Brandon Starc (Athletics), Maurice Longbottom (7s Rugby), Kaarle McCulloch (Cycling), Dani Stevens (Athletics) and Mariah Williams (Hockey).

Olympic sports currently with programs at NSW sports high schools.

Article courtesy of the AOC