Shire donates $5k to South West Academy of Sport 

Supporting local young people and sporting excellence 

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River is continuing its long-standing support to youth development and sporting excellence, with Council approving a $5,000 (ex GST) donation to the South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) in the 2025–26 budget. 

The funding builds on an 18-year partnership between the Shire and SWAS and helps local athletes pursue high-performance sporting pathways while staying close to home, family and community. 

Shire President Julia Jean-Rice said the decision reflects Council’s commitment to supporting local young people and the positive role sport plays in community wellbeing. 

“For many regional families, the cost and distance involved in elite sport can be a real barrier,” President Jean-Rice said. 

“This funding helps remove some of that pressure, giving talented young people in our Shire access to quality coaching, wellbeing support and leadership development – without having to leave the South West.” 

SWAS supports athletes through a range of high-performance programs and services, including strength and conditioning, medical screening, nutrition advice, mental health support and life skills coaching. Wherever possible, these services are delivered locally, reducing the need for families to travel or relocate to Perth. 

This year, nine local athletes from the Shire are part of the 2025–26 SWAS program – the highest representation from the Shire since the program’s inception – with athletes competing at regional, state, national and international levels in sports such as surfing, swimming, mountain biking, basketball, rugby and skateboarding. 

President Jean-Rice said the benefits of the program go well beyond individual sporting success.  

“It’s not just about producing elite athletes – programs like SWAS help build confident, resilient young people who go on to make a positive contribution to their communities,” she said. 

“Supporting initiatives like this reflects our commitment to a growing and connected community, and we’re proud to continue backing the next generation of local sporting talent.”