Local Search On for Future Olympic Volleyroos

Written on the 2 July 2021 by SWSAS

IMAGE: Trialists at the VNSW Phoenix program, along with local interest, have spurred the Academy into bringing a high-peformance pathway development program to the 'South West'.

The search is definitely on right now, for our local future Olympic Volleyroos, as the South West Sydney Academy of Sport announces a partnership with Volleyball NSW, to underpin its new Phoenix development program.
The important aspect of the Academy program is that it will provide a pathway opportunity  locally, for our young aspiring athletes to become future Volleyroos.

Whilst recreation venues and Greater Sydney have been closed due to the latest COVID lockdown, Academy staff have been hard at work finalising details for the volleyball development program, with nominations for an expected trial date on 21 July anticipated to be open shortly.

Academy CEO Gerry Knights, who has been a driving force in getting volleyball into the Regional Academies of Sport, across the State said, there was such a large initial interest shown from South West Sydney volleyball athletes, the Academy reached out to Volleyball NSW with the intent to bring the program to the 'South West'.

The Academy has been spurred on by the interest shown by local schools, and the Westside Volleyball club has agreed to loan former Volleyroo and highly respected NSW Coach Francis Uso, to headline the Academy program.

Knights stated that the interest shown from the local volleyball community, for a high-performance pathway development program in our region was amazing. As the Phoenix program is a 'whole of metro' program, which limits the number of athletes from the South West Sydney region, to be able to participate in the training at Olympic Park.

The initial program will be ten-weeks of mid-week practical training and sports education sessions commencing in late-July, with the opportunity to represent the region at an Inter-Regional Academy challenge in September.

Male and female athletes who live, attend school, or compete for a Volleyball association within the Council areas of Liverpool, Campbelltown, Camden, or Wollondilly, aged 12-18 years old invited to trial. Athletes who are selected into the VNSW Phoenix program are also invited to participate in the Academy program.

Further information on the Volleyball program is available on the Academy website, www.swsas.org.au.

Should the program prove successful, there is already talk about a Beach Volleyball development program being added to the Academy's ever-growing sports development  programs.