Coaching Local Talent From Paddock to Podium

Written on the 16 June 2025 by Abby Wijesekera

Held in late May and hosted by the Central Coast Academy of Sport, the 2025 Regional Academies of Sport Coach and Performance Conference proved to be a milestone event for the Academy's coaching talent, with representatives stepping up to share, learn and lead amongst the state's top-tier coaching community. 

Themed Paddock to Podium, which proved a fitting reflection of sports long term pathway from grassroots participation to elite performance, saw over 150 Coach and performance support personnel from all eleven NSW Regional Academies of Sport gather for two days of professional development, networking and shared purpose. Amongst them for the third edition of the conference, was a record ten coach and support staff from our own South West Sydney Academy of Sport.  

For Emily Paulic, a young up and coming Academy coach within the Basketball and 3x3 Basketball programs, the experience was an invaluable opportunity to learn from the best; and add to the bank of knowledge she has gained from being a part of the wider Academy's coach development and education programs. 

"Being able to give back to the future athletes of basketball coming through our program is a great opportunity, and getting to learn from the head coach of the program is invaluable to me," said Paulic, who highlighted the impact of the conference topics such as strength and conditioning and sports nutrition.  

"The conference has been based a lot on the strength and conditioning and nutrition side of elite performance, which has been great for me also as an athlete, and to be able to bring that back to the Academy in a coaching capacity will be excellent." Added Paulic.  

Reflecting on her coaching journey, she added, "the most rewarding part of being a coach is not just getting to see how far the program has come, especially the 3x3 (Basketball) program. But getting to watch the athletes develop throughout the program. Getting to be a part of their journey is very fulfilling." 

In attendance at his first Regional Academies of Sport Coach and Performance conference was Daniel Medd, head coach of the South West Sydney Academy's inaugural Baseball Program. For Medd, the conference underscored the vital role that regional initiatives play in expanding access to sport. "The kids are super excited that there is a program for baseball in our area. This is something that has been in the making for a long time," Medd said. 

Medd emphasised the long-term potential for athletes in the program. "It's another avenue to get them overseas. These days with programs like these, they have exposure and get good insight into what is out there for them, where they can continue to play the sport that they love." 

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The Regional Academies of Sport Coaches Conference is a bi-annual highlight on the Academy's coach development calendar, designed to upskill and celebrate the states network of volunteer and professional coaches who contribute to the athlete pathway. 

With a lineup of inspiring guest speakers including Judo Olympians Josh and Nathan Katz, the event delivered strategic insight into athlete development and high-performance coaching. Both athletes have worked closely with the South West Sydney Academy of Sport and served as strong role models for the regions aspiring athletes and coaches. 

In addition to the Katz brothers, those who attended gained great insights into the high-performance sport pathways from those at NSWIS, the AIS, as well as key figures in professional sport, including AFL coaching legend Rodney Eade, and netball's Lisa Beehag. Both coaches sharing insights and stories into what worked, and at times what didn’t work within their coaching journey.  

Kevin Thompson, CEO of the NSW Institute of Sport, praised the event as a significant step forwards for Regional coaching. “The 2025 Regional Academies of Sport Coach and Performance Conference was an enormous success, bringing together the state's best coaches to learn, share and collaborate with some of the best high-performance experts in sport," he said. 

As we continue to gain momentum in the development of Australia’s future Olympic and Paralympic athletes leading into Brisbane 2032, the South West Sydney Academy of Sport recognises the conference’s impact in elevating local coaching talent and strengthening Regional pathways. As the sporting landscape continues to evolve, so does the commitment of Regional Academies to empower the next generation of athletes and coaches from Paddock to Podium. 

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