CEO’s Report

CEO’S REPORT 2021

We stand on the shoulders of giants – and can only operate effectively when all the cogs are turning in the right direction. This last year’s program delivery provided the IAS the opportunity to consolidate the good stuff and rethink some of our programs – in both delivery and practice. In accepting the largest intake to the IAS (over 300 athletes), we worked hard to provide effective support in all the right areas without neglecting the smaller items that make the place work.

The Your Local Club Academy Games are always a highlight – but it is the details and the personnel involved that make it work well. In every facet of an individual athlete’s development, the squad coaches and managers are a key to their success. The highly competent administration staff of the IAS support these personnel and seek to make their job easy. The 202021 year enabled us to consolidate the direction set and re-establish new priorities. We expanded and introduced a strong Mental Health support mechanism across all programs. We utilised the opportunity that the Olympics and Paralympics provided via interviews with athletes and highlighting our present and past athletes that performed.

Whilst the COVID restrictions in the later part of the program limited the capacity to expand programs such as the MCR Indigenous Support Program and the Leadership program, we did provide alternative delivery options – highlighted by the exceptional online delivery of the 2020-21 Presentation Evening in September.

We have been heartened by the reaffirmation of support that we have received from each Council area and each sponsor in seeking to provide the best opportunities available for the athletes. And I am personally heartened by the dedication of each staff member, supported by the Board, to providing their expertise in enabling the IAS to be one of the best community-based organisations in the Illawarra and one that athletes, sponsors, parents and councils alike want to be a part of. We are humbled by their support.

We will continue to invest in the development of coaches and managers, in expanding the support for the athletes, in diversifying and targeting the educational delivery and increasing the exposure of the IAS to the community through an effective strategic direction.

We hope that all those associated with the IAS for the 2020-21 year thoroughly enjoyed the ride, were proud of the efforts of all and were able to contribute in their own way to a successful year for the athletes. But we cannot wait to provide a bigger, better and hopefully uninterrupted 2021-22 year.

JOHN ARMSTRONG CEO

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2021