Wingecarribee Shire's brightest young athletes have been recognised with scholarships from the Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) at an overnight ceremony at Council.
A total of 28 talented young sports men and women from across the Shire were formally presented with their prestigious scholarships enabling them to further their sporting careers.
Wingecarribee Shire Council Administrator Viv May PSM said the scholarships would help develop the skills of the promising young athletes.
"A scholarship with the Illawarra Academy of Sport provides an opportunity for these young athletes to take their skills and development to the next level," he said.
"The Academy provides both athletic skills development training and personal leadership programs that help create wonderful ambassadors for our community."
The IAS is a not-for-profit organisation that provides equal opportunity and encouragement to talented young athletes and coaches within the Illawarra region.
The Academy was established in 1985 as Australia's first regional sporting Academy and soon became the benchmark for other regions to follow.
Since its launch more than 7,000 young people from across the Academy's five local government areas, including the Wingecarribee Shire, have been supported in their pursuit of sporting excellence.
Previous graduates include Emma and David McKeon, Kerian and Black Govers, Flynn Ogilvie, Grace Stewart, Brett Lee, Sally Fitzgibbons, Luke Wilkshire, Jasmine Greenwood, Caleb Ewan, Sarah Carli, Ellen Perez and Kieran Woolley.
Illawarra Academy of Sport President Paul Knight said the region had a history of producing exceptional sporting talent.
"In less than four decades the Academy has produced 22 Olympians, 21 Commonwealth Games Representatives, 12 World Champions and 75 Senior National Team Representatives," he said.
"Daniel Rumsey and Caleb Ewan are two Shire athletes nurtured by the IAS that have gone on to represent Australia at the highest level."
The 28 local Highlands athletes presented with IAS scholarships represented eight sports over two years.
"On behalf of Council we congratulate all recipients on their scholarships and wish them the very best for their future sporting careers," Mr May concluded.
