Seven NSW schools earmarked to develop new Olympians as Olympic Pathway Schools

NSW sports high school are primed to produce gold-standard athletes after being selected in an Olympic Pathway program with the Australian Olympic Committee.

Narrabeen Sports High School is among seven schools named as the nation’s first Olympic Pathway schools. Picture: News Corp

The watchful eyes of Olympic selectors will be felt even more keenly among high school athletes as seven NSW public schools become the country’s first official Australian Olympic Pathway Schools.

Unveiling the first formal partnership between the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the state’s sports schools at Hills Sports High School, Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said thousands of students would benefit from the “prestigious” endorsement.

“We are super excited to be the first in the country to be recognised as Australian Olympic pathway schools,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We have students from these seven schools, thousands who attend each and every day, on the path to Olympic glory.”

The government will also inject $1.5 million into ‘Olympics Unleashed’, a program which invites Australian Olympians to share life lessons with students, extending the program into primary schools for the first time and funding it until 2026.

Seven NSW public schools become the country’s first official Australian Olympic Pathway Schools. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

The Australian Olympic Pathway Schools program aims to boost recognition of the country’s rising stars, and allow them more opportunities to kick-start sporting careers.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll said the “winning combination” was approved at the highest level, by the International Olympic Committee, allowing each school to use official Olympic branding - including the iconic rings.

“Participation in sport is so important to the health and wellbeing of NSW communities, and academic success in students,” Mr Carroll said.

“Today is not just an acknowledgement of pathways by putting a sign up on a board.

“It’s a statement and a celebration. Participation provides the opportunity to challenge student athletes to pursue their chosen sport, through pathways to performance sport to inspire the next generation.”

As well as Hills Sports, Endeavour Sports High School, Hunter Sports High School, Illawarra Sports High School, Matraville Sports High School, Narrabeen Sports High School and Westfields Sports High School have also been given the honour.

Olympians Sarah Walsh and Sarah Carli pose with students at The Hills Sports High School. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

Former Matilda and Westfield Sports High School alumnus Sarah Walsh said NSW’s public sports high schools will be critical to Australia’s Olympic success at Brisbane 2032.

“For a long time we’ve looked at the grassroots being in community clubs, but they’re actually in our sporting schools,” she said.

“Surrounding (the students) with like-minded people really means they’re being set up for success.”

Hills Sports High School captain Emmanuel Tuipulotu aspires to follow in his dad’s footsteps as a rugby star.

Ex fullback Sateki Tuipolutu played three world cups for Tonga until his retirement in 2003.

Son Emmanuel enrolled at Hills Sports to pursue his dream of playing in the rugby sevens, but said the prospect of becoming an Olympian now feels all the more real.

“With this Olympic athlete pathway, I really hope I will (be selected),” he said.

“It will increase the opportunities for people like me to become Olympians, with higher involvement in sports. It gives us more motivation.”

Originally published as Seven NSW schools earmarked to develop new Olympians as Olympic Pathway Schools