The ClubsNSW Academy Games was launched on Thursday, 10 March at the beautiful Shelly Beach Golf Club, among an intimate group consisting of many business leaders, VIP’s and special guests. Paul Barnett, a Director of ClubsNSW, and a keen supporter of the Central Coast Academy of Sport due to his executive CEO position at Mingara Group of Clubs, spoke enthusiastically about the strong relationship with the Academy that continues to build through a shared passion in sport. The other guest speakers Lawrie McKinna, Mayor of Gosford, and Martin Bullock, a Director of the Regional Academies of Sport, also spoke passionately about the benefits that the Academy Games brings to communities through sport.
At the conclusion of the formalities, a big-hole golf competition was held on the spectacular golf course. The launch was a definite success, with everyone who attended gaining a first hand insight into the enduring effect the ClubsNSW Academy Games has for those fortunate enough to compete.
For the second year running, the Central Coast Academy of Sport will be the host academy of the ClubsNSW Academy Games. The excitement is building, as the official Media Launch begins the countdown of the last month before the ClubsNSW Academy Games commencing on Friday, 8 April.
The ClubsNSW Academy Games has been a host to more than 8,000 young athletes from all around NSW since it’s initiation in 2005 – a monumental achievement, credit to all of the Regional Academies of Sport. The high level and quality of competition is made easier to maintain with the beautiful Central Coast’s top class venues used. The ClubsNSW Academy Games will see five sports featured: Basketball (Scholastic Sports Stadium, Terrigal), Golf (Shelly Beach, The Springs and Magenta Shores), Hockey (Wyong Hockey Fields), Netball (Central Coast Grammar School and Niagara Park Stadium), and Triathlon (Toowoon Bay, Mingara and Summerland Point). These sports combined will see over 700 athletes and team members attending, which will create an incredible competitive atmosphere and allow the competing athletes a chance to test their abilities against athletes in similar programs. In addition to the featured sports, Surfing will be introduced for the first time in 2016 as an ‘Exhibition Sport’. This initiative may well unearth the next Stephanie Gilmore or Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan.
The Central Coast Academy of Sport on behalf of the Regional Academy of Sport (RASi) network would like to thank and acknowledge the support received from the following organisations:
ClubsNSW (Principal Partner), NSW Government, Gosford City Council, Wyong Shire Council, Central Coast Tourism, and NBN Television (Media), Southern Cross Austereo (101.3 Sea FM and 107.7 2GO).
For more information on the Academy Games, please visit: www.academygames.com.au
