High Performing Student Athletes on Pathway to Success

The pathway for the state’s podium potential student athletes has been given a boost following the announcement of a high performance partnership between the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) and the Sports High Schools Association.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Memorandum of Understanding will help to foster the development of talented athletes in NSW Sports High Schools.

“This new partnership ensures our future Olympians have access to world class services in sport science, nutrition and strength and conditioning, so that they can perform at their best,” Mr Henskens.

“It will develop a stronger pathway for potential Olympic athletes and help NSWIS identify and unlock talent in our state’s sports high schools.”

NSWIS will provide services and professional development to staff within the sports high schools to assist in improvements in services to student athletes.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the partnership is a win-win and will strengthen the pipeline of talent in the lead up to upcoming Olympic Games.

“NSW sports high schools will offer education and value add services to individual athletes not involved in talented sporting programs, such as winter sports,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The depth of our winter sports program will be strengthened as we support our high performing student athletes with education and tutoring services.”

NSWIS CEO Professor Kevin Thompson said a focus will be ensuring student athletes develop holistically through the implementation of individualised plans.

“Through these plans student athletes work with their coaches to develop short and long term goals in physical performance, competition performance and overall excellence,” Professor Thompson said.

Olympian, NSWIS scholarship holder and State Sports High School alumni Brandon Starc said the partnership will add great value to an athlete’s success.

“A sports high school gives athletes an advantage but this sort of program will give it so much more strength. It will keep athletes in it longer and success will come quicker. A sports high school kept me in athletics,” Brandon said.

NSWIS