Illawarra Academy of Sports (IAS) athletes have impressed at the 2024 Academy Games, returning home with a swag of medals, including gold in cycling and bronze in hockey.
This year's Games, from April 12 to 14, marked the third consecutive year the event was held in Wagga Wagga.
“It's about everyone bringing a few people together and we're celebrating their love of sport and competition,” said Salv Carmusciano, IAS CEO.
For more than 30 years, IAS has been the Illawarra's premier sports training institution, helping athletes – such Olympic swimmer Emma McKeon – reach the highest levels of competition.
“We are talking about athletes that are very much driven for a career in their chosen sport and a lot who are gunning for a chance to represent Australia at the Olympic Games in Brisbane 2032,” Salv said.
“It's our job as an academy to help them develop the necessary skills, not just on the path but off the path to be the best athletes and the best people they can be.”
The IAS selected 93 of their best athletes across six sports – basketball, hockey, cycling, netball, volleyball and golf – to attend this year’s Academy Games.
“The Academy Games is just another opportunity to allow the athletes to develop their own skills and to come up against competition that are also aspiring athletes,” Salv said.
“They do go for gold and our athletes perform remarkably well, particularly cycling who picked up a few gold medals.
“We also picked up bronze medals across a range of sports as well, so reasonably well overall.”
The Games provide IAS athletes with a chance to compete against opponents from regions they wouldn’t normally face.
“This all is a bit of a set-up of what it looks like to play against different people outside of your association, outside of the Illawarra,” said Alex Mackay, head coach of the IAS hockey program.
“I thought our athletes did a really good job within their basic skills to perform, but I think hopefully this helps identify to them that there is an opportunity to improve and that there's still a long way to go if they want to continue their progress.”
Part of the school’s success can be attributed to its highly regarded training programs, such as strength and conditioning, as well as programs tailored to specific sports.
“I think all those things play a part not just on this weekend, but hopefully into their future careers,” Alex said.
For the athletes, the opportunity to compete is always enjoyable and travelling with their peers strengthens bonds between teammates.
“It's really good staying with all your friends in the cabins,” said Jake Barritt, a 13-year-old cyclist and triathlete who joined the IAS in 2023.
“Knowing that after the race, you're going to go back and have fun, then you just enjoy the time being there with your mates.”
For more information on the IAS, check out this article in our series on the academy or visit the IAS website.
