Just the second of seven NSW Sports High Schools to officially receive their designation, the Berkeley-based school held a formal assembly on Thursday 11 May to celebrate the occasion.

Special guests in attendance on the day included South Coast local Olympian Sarah Carli, Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM, NSW Department of Education Director Jordi Austin and the AOC’s Chief of Community Engagement James Edwards.

The first-of-its-kind program looks to boost opportunities for students to excel in both their sporting and academic careers with a key focus on creating the next generation of Australian Olympians.

Having already produced two Australian Olympians, middle-distance runner Ryan Gregson and women’s football forward Caitlin Foord, the Illawarra Sports High School looks to continue building upon their rich sporting history through this unique partnership.

“We are very proud to play our part in recognising Illawarra Sports High School as an Olympic Pathway School,” James Edwards said.

“Illawarra Sports High School have been doing the heavy lifting for a number of years, producing athletes that have gone on to represent their state, their country and at the Olympic Games.

“We hope this pathway will motivate and inspire students to be their best selves – whether that’s in their athletic career or just being a great student.”

With two Olympic Pathway plaques set up within the school, one at the school's entrance and the other inside the school gym, Director of Sport Amy Childs said seeing the Olympic rings every day will be a great motivator for their students.

“Illawarra Sports High School has a very strong sporting history and it is really exciting to be officially recognised by the Australian Olympic Committee,” Amy Childs said.

“It's important for our students to have something to look forward to and strive towards.

“Every time the students walk into the school and see the Olympic Pathway sign it will inspire them, remind them of their goals and keep them on track for whatever their sporting aspirations are.”

Wollongong local and Tokyo 2020 Olympian Sarah Carli believes the program will also enable more students to bridge the gap between grassroots and elite level sport, all while completing their education.

“When I was a junior athlete, I found it really hard to balance school and sport. The requirements you need are quite niche and there aren’t a lot of students who need that type of support,” Sarah said.

“I found I had to look externally to be able to balance both, so to be able to have these programs already set up for you at a school level and from the very beginning of the students' athletic careers is very exciting.”

On the day, Sarah also delivered an Olympics Unleashed presentation to the students, using her inspiring story to encourage them to never give up on their dreams.

“I love going into schools and talking about my career, it just shows that a career of an Olympic athlete is never linear,” the 28-year-old said.

“Showing kids that setbacks are just part of the journey is so important and it’s about how you overcome those setbacks, knowing you do eventually get there, you just have to keep pushing through.

“I also think that’s what makes the achievements, celebrations and end goal so much more worth it – just knowing what you’ve been through to get there.”

During the formalities, students were also treated to a special video from dual Olympian and school alumni Caitlin Foord who thanked the school for supporting her Olympic journey and said she is looking forward to seeing more Olympians come out of the school in the years to come.

Over the coming months, the AOC will visit the remaining five NSW Sports High Schools to officially recognise and celebrate them becoming Australian Olympic Pathway Schools.

Find out more about the Australian Olympic Pathway Schools program here.