Media Releases

The Shooting Australia Awards of Excellence took place at the newly redeveloped Belmont Shooting Complex in Queensland on Sunday 3^rd December. This event acknowledged the past year’s achievements from High Performance Athletes, Coaches and Volunteers, and saw the Ashley Adams Perpetual Trophy awarded to the Athlete of the Year.

Penny Smith SWAS Clay Target Shooting Coach was awarded the 2017 Female Shooter of the Year Award. Penny was also the 2017 winner of the overall Athlete of the Year Award taking home the Ashley Adams Perpetual Trophy. She was recognized as the best and fairest athlete of 2017 as voted upon by Aiming4Gold squad athletes.

Penny said she has “certainly had one Stella year so far.” “I’ve worked hard at my Shooting all year and it’s good to be getting results” “It was a pleasure to be awarded female shooter of the year but it was like the icing on the cake to be awarded athlete of the year out of all ISSF Shooting.” She said.

Penny explained “The Ashley Adams awarded is like the Brownlow of Shooting.” “Winning the awards was fantastic, and it’s as much special to me as it is to my family.” Next for Penny is the waiting game to see if she qualifies and makes the 2018 Commonwealth Games team.

 

Penny Smith is the SWAS Shooting Coach for 2018. We are currently seeking expression of interest for shooters striving for sporting excellence aged between 13 and 18. If you’re interested or want more information please contact Administration and Athlete Liaison Emma Bellman by calling 5564 8567 or email emma.bellman@swtafe.vic.edu.au. You can also click on /academy-sports/shooting/ for more information.

South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) recognised the outstanding achievements by their athletes at their annual awards night on Sunday. It was a night to remember for the athletes as they listened to Australian and Melbourne Vixens Netball player Tegan Phillips. Tegan shared her journey in the sport of Netball, passing on some valuable information to athletes about taking opportunities when they arise and being prepared.

Each year we award a winner of our Strength and Conditioning award to an athlete from each shire and five major awards. The five major awards are:

The Spirit and Determination Award which goes to the athlete who is truly dedicated to their sport, this athlete displays true sporting spirit and upholds the core values of sportsmanship and the SWAS philosophies.

The Education Award, this award goes to the SWAS athlete who we have observed to show the most dedication and commitment to learning and embracing their life skills, making use of the myAISbasecamp program and attending our performance excellence days.

Our Community and Leadership Award is presented to the athlete who is a strong role model for others and contributes to their sport and/or community over and above the normal training regime. They show strong community leadership and undertake extra-curricular activities alongside their school, work and training.

Our Personal Excellence award recognises the highest sporting achievement for 2017, this year this was awarded to Cavendish based Archer Niamh Jones who had an outstanding year medalling at both the state and national championship and representing Australia at the World Youth archery Championship in Rosario Argentina.

Our final Award is the Overall Excellence Award and represents the SWAS athlete who displays all the qualities of a high achiever dedicated to performance excellence, leadership and contribution to sport or community. The 2017 Overall Excellence Award winner was Terang based athletic athlete Caytlyn Sharp. Caytlyn had a huge year with multiple gold medals at Australian Athletics championships, the School Sports Victoria Athletics Championships, the Australian Athletics championships 100m, 400m, Shot Put, and Javelin. Set multiple Australian Records and is the World Champion in the T/F20 Women’s open High Jump at the INAS World Championships to go along with a Bronze in the Triple Jump. A Very well deserve Award to Caytlyn and to all our 2017 Award winners.

2017 Warrnambool & Moyne Strength & Conditioning Award– Kyah Chisholm – Warrnambool

2017 Southern Grampians Strength & Conditioning Award – Willow Sainsbury – Hamilton

2017 Corangamite Strength & Conditioning Award – Krystal Baker & Zali Searle (joint winners) – Terang

2017 Glenelg Strength & Conditioning Award – Courtney Ball – Portland

2017 SWAS Spirit and Determination Award – Khris Clementson – Corangamite Shire

2017 SWAS Education Award – Sara Kosch – Southern Grampian Shire

2017 SWAS Community and Leadership Award – Patrick Drake – Warrnambool

2017 SWAS Performance Excellence Award – Niamh Jones – Southern Grampian Shire

2017 SWAS Overall Excellence Award – Caytlyn Sharp- Corangamite Shire

Warrnambool’s Emma Bellman has taken up the position of Administration and Athlete Liaison Officer at the South West Academy of Sport (SWAS). SWAS is the peak sporting body of South West Victoria, delivering high performance services and education for aspiring athletes and providing direct pathways for sporting success. Emma will bring her experience as an international athlete, sports leader and coach to this position. Her new role will enable her to assist and connect with local athletes to achieve their training and event aspirations.

Emma will be liaising with athletes and coaches while also managing the new myAISbasecamp program. SWAS is the only Victorian Regional Academy of Sport to be using this program. The myAISbasecamp program provides the Academy with the ability to link athletes from the region to resources, programs and coaches from both the Australian Institute of Sport and the Victorian Institute of Sport.

“I am really pleased to be taking on this position, I believe it’s extremely important for all athletes to have an avenue to achieve their best in their chosen sport and myAISbasecamp is a great program for athletes to build on their training and stay motivated” Bellman said.

Emma’s experiences in being a regional based sport aerobics athlete and coach at a world level has shown her the importance of being able to network and access world class training and education programs. Bellman believes “Having a service such as SWAS and connections to the AIS and programs such as myAISbasecamp is a huge asset to our local athletes”

Throughout her role at SWAS Emma endeavors to maximize athlete’s access to the academy and continue to develop the services to meet the regions athlete’s needs. Interested athletes and coaches can contact Emma at the SWAS office, 5564 8567.

The South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) will be holding their 3rd athlete education and personal excellence day of 2017 at Warrnambool College on Sunday 30 July. SWAS is especially excited about guest speaker Melissa Tapper, Australia’s first ever athlete to compete at both an Olympics and Paralympics in the sport of Table Tennis. Having just come back from a Gold Medal performance at the ITTF World Tour, Korea Open and with a Commonwealth Games bronze medal and World Para championship medal behind her, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge to share with the Academy athletes.

Nic Kaiser, CEO of SWAS said, “to have someone like Melissa able to share her story with the athletes is extremely pleasing, Milly is a fantastic athlete and is someone who can  help others believe in themselves and achieve their own greatness no matter what the size or the obstacle she is a great role model for the SWAS athletes”. 

The day for athletes, parents, coaches and trainers will consist of musculoskeletal and physical fitness testing for the athletes followed by education on ‘Avoiding injuries and managing training loads’. The day will also see the roll out of an exciting new program for the Academy with the introduction of the new myAISbasecamp program.

The myAISbasecamp program provides physical sessions and educational resources through an online program with the aim to improve the readiness of pre-elite athletes for the physical and mental demands that will be placed on them when entering the elite performance environment. The program uses a multi-disciplinary and evidence-based approach to athlete development.  “The AIS supported program is a fantastic step forward for the academy and the athletes, we are thrilled to be bringing this program into the academy” stated Chairperson Kathryn Emeny.

The South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) has recently welcomed new Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nic Kaiser,  who has a keen focus on progressing and developing elite sporting pathways for athletes within the South West. 

Nic joins SWAS after relocating with his family from the A.C.T to take on the role.  Nic brings with him over 15 years’ experience in the sporting environment and perspectives from all sides of the industry including as an elite athlete, coach and manager. 

Nic commenced his career in sport as a volleyball player, progressing to international level where he represented Australia from 1999- 2006, including the Sydney 2000 Paralympics and the 2003 Para Volley World Championships. 

“Having first hand experience in the elite sporting environment means that I am well placed to assist athletes to reach their full potential in their chosen sport.  I know the dedication and commitment it takes to succeed.  I also know that it’s necessary to have access to top class coaches, mentors and facilities.”   said Nic.  He is passionate about ensuring all the necessary elements for a career in sport are available to athletes in the South West.

Nic’s previous roles include Sports Development Manager at Volleyball Australia and Senior Project Officer for the A.C.T Government.  His background includes a clear focus on talent identification, program development, innovation in sport and inclusion. 

Nic looks forward to expanding his experience in the industry at SWAS. 

“SWAS caters for a broad range of sports including surfing, cricket, netball and clay target shooting.  Each sport has different demands and pathways.  I’m excited to guide such a wide range of aspiring elite athletes and to work in partnership with coaches and other experts to maximise the outcomes an athlete can achieve – whether that be on the sporting field or as part of the athlete’s broader personal development” said Nic. 

Any athletes interested in joining the South West Academy of Sport should telephone on 5564 8567