Olympians, Paralympians and world championship medallists are among the new look Athlete Advisory Group (AAG) for the state’s high performance sports agency, the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS), which was announced at Sydney Olympic Park today.

“I am pleased to welcome four new members to the AAG, which now includes representatives from all our NSWIS High Performance hubs across the state,” NSWIS CEO Kevin Thompson said.  

“The importance of our AAG and Sport Delegate Group (SDG) athletes is in communicating with their peers and the sports they represent. This communication is important because it will enable them to raise issues and concerns or ideas that will improve the athlete journey at NSWIS as they’re the best advocates for their programs.” 

Newly elected AAG members and NSWIS scholarship holders Matilda Offord (Triathlon), Genevieve Longman (Water Polo), Bradley Woodward (Swimming) and Paralympian Gordon Allan (Cycling) join existing AAG members Olympian Belle Brockhoff (Winter Sports), Sam Fricker (Diving) and Lucien Delfour (Canoe Slalom) along with Paris hopeful Evie Haseldine (Sailing) in the eight member group. 

“The NSWIS Athlete Advisory Group plays an important role, and I’m honoured to represent my fellow NSWIS athletes,” Paralympian and four time world championship medallist Gordon Allan said.  

The AAG was formed in 2019 to provide Team NSWIS athletes with a say, and to ultimately help guide the decision making processes at NSWIS. It serves as a direct link between athletes and the NSWIS management team and the Institute’s Board.  

The AAG is strongly supported by the Sport Delegate Group (SDG), which plays a vital role in advising the AAG and representing NSWIS athlete views. New members of the SDG appointed from those that put themselves forward for the AAG include Maddi Smith (Women’s Hockey) and Eleanor Price (Rowing).  They are joining existing members Nathan Czinner (Men’s Hockey), Kailey Harlen (Canoe Sprint), Ameera Lee (Archery), Rheed McCracken (Athletics) Poppy Olsen (Individual Athlete Program). 

“Since joining NSWIS on a training agreement in 2018, I have progressed  through the scholarship levels and represented Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.” 

“I believe these experiences have given me a deep understanding of what it means to be an NSWIS athlete and I want to be a voice for other athletes as they progress through their journey,” Allan said.  

The AAG meet at least three times per year to discuss any issues raised by fellow athletes and to also forward any feedback or recommendations to management and the Board.  

Frances Cordaro, NSWIS

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