Academy Games return to Wagga Wagga featuring 1300 athletes

The 2023 Your Local Club Academy Games returns to Wagga Wagga next week, featuring the emerging talent of 1300 athletes from all 11 Regional Academies of Sport across New South Wales.

Some of the state’s finest young athletes will be competing at the tournament across seven sports, including basketball, golf, hockey, netball, triathlon, cycling, and indoor volleyball.

Along with athletes, the Games also draw staff, families and supporters to the city, generating estimated 6228 bed stays in the region annually, with a total economic tourism value of more than $1.9 million.

It is the second time the Southern Sports Academy has hosted the three-day youth sporting event in Wagga Wagga, with the action kicking off on Friday 21st April and running through to Sunday 23rd April at various venues in Wagga Wagga.

Southern Sports Academy Chief Executive Mark Calverley said the organisation was excited to build on the success of last year’s games and shared "we are fortunate to have the event for three years and with each year we aim to build on the last.

“With the new PCYC available for basketball, and the opportunity to host basketball, volleyball, and triathlon all within the Bolton Park precinct, we can showcase some of the state's best athletes in the centre of Wagga Wagga.

“This also provides an amazing opportunity for many of our athletes to perform on their home stage.”

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Dallas Tout welcomes the return of the Games to Wagga Wagga, saying this reflects its title as the ‘City of Good Sports’.

“Council has been supporting the Southern Sports Academy for several decades now and we’re happy to continue to do that, to foster and encourage sport participation across the city,” Mayor Tout said.

The 2023 Your Local Club Academy Games is supported by Your Local Club, the NSW Government, Wagga Wagga City Council, Regional Academies of Sport, and Active Health Riverina.

Image top: Kick starting the 2023 Academy Games in Wagga Wagga this week, (from left) Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP, Hunter Academy of Sport Chief Executive Brett O’Farrell, Southern Sports Academy athletes Emily McPherson, Lucas Matthews, and Ella Rey, along with Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout and Southern Sports Academy Chief Executive Mark Calverley; Image above: 2022 Your Local Club Academy Games in Wagga Wagga