2019 WRAS Athlete of the Year Nominees and Casey Grice (centre bottom row) from the NSW Office of Sport
The New South Wales Office of Sport has been a key stakeholder in supporting the operations of the Regional Academies of Sport network.
The NSW Office of Sport commenced funding support to the Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) in 1991. Over our 30-year working relationship, this vital funding has supported 273 sports programs run to date, seeing over 4300 athletes graduate through the academy. High-achieving alumni include the likes of Mark Renshaw (Cycling), Edwina Bone (Hockey) and Kurt Fearnley (Paralympian).
Continued support for the academy ensures a structured pathway for pre-elite talent identification in the region.
NSW Office of Sport CEO Karen Jones said,
“Regional Academies work in collaboration with NSW sport pathway leaders such as NSWIS, SSOs and SSODs and continue to make a significant difference which is helping talented regional youth to reach their full potential within sport and their communities,”
Executive Officer for WRAS Candice Boggs said that the NSW Office of Sport provides essential funding to ensure talented junior athletes have the chance to succeed regardless of their geography.
“Without their help, athletes from regional and rural areas would miss out on vital support, skill development, education and training opportunities which allow them to develop as a holistic athlete,”
“By working with the NSW Office of Sport, WRAS has become a vital asset to the Central West region, and we can only hope to continue to provide regional athletes with opportunities to succeed.”