South West Academy of Sport
The South West Academy of Sport is designed to identify and assist our best athletes, who face unique challenges to access high quality training in regional areas.
The concept is similar to the WA Institute of Sport and regional academies in the Eastern States.
Run by independent incorporated bodies, sports academies are designed to foster young sporting talent and prepare them for elite development programs at the State, national and international level.
Previously, to succeed young athletes in regional areas were forced to travel to and from metropolitan areas or permanently relocate to access top level training.
The South West Academy of Sport would provide that top level training across the region, negating the need to travel.
The development of the South West Sports Academy was first put forward by the South West Chamber of Commerce and Industry through an informal approach to the South West Development Commission.
The SWCCI engaged WA sporting identity Wally Foreman to develop a feasibility plan that has provided guidance as to what would be required to develop a successful regional sports academy.
The South West Development Commission has led a community committee to turn the academy dream into reality, with help from the SWCCI as well as groups such as the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Western Australian Institute of Sport.
Expressions of interest will be sought to determine the sporting disciplines that will initially be supported by the academy, with the range of sports increasing in the future as financial support increases.
A working group, drawing representation from relevant agencies, corporate and community groups across the South West has been formed to develop the South West Academy of Sport into a reality.
This body is now formally incorporated and will operate as an independent board.
The Commission has already contributed $145,000 towards setting up the academy. With support from corporate and government sources it is hoped the academy would begin full scale operations in the summer of 2008.