Budding athletes in Sydney's South West will soon have the opportunity to pursue a sport-focussed education close to home, as the Minns Labor Government delivers on its election commitment to convert Eagle Vale High School to a sports school.
A new selective sports stream will commence in 2025 at the school, which will run the Talented Sports Program with basketball, cricket and rugby league as the foundation sports.
Planning for a multi-purpose hall and new and upgraded sports facilities is now under way to support the delivery of the program at the school.
This announcement means families in the Macarthur region for the first time will have a school on their doorstep that caters to students excelling in sports, alongside a strong academic program.
Previously, up-and-coming athletes in the region have had to make long trips out of the area to pursue their athletic ambitions at other sports high schools.
The Talented Sports Program, which runs in another seven NSW public high schools, has a long tradition of nurturing some of the country's best up-and-coming athletes.
Alumni of NSW public sports high schools include Test cricketer Usman Khawaja, soccer greats Harry Kewell and Alanna Kennedy, and former Australian rugby league captain Boyd Cordner.
Local and national sporting organisations, including Wests Tigers NRL club, have given in-principle support to partner with the school for the program. Formal partnership agreements are expected to follow.
These organisations include:
- Wests Tigers (NRL)
- Macarthur Rams, Camden Tigers and Macarthur District Football Associations (soccer)
- Campbelltown, Wollondilly and Roar Basketball Associations
- Campbelltown/Camden District Cricket Club and Camden District Cricket Association
- Macarthur Quake FUTSAL Club.
The school will continue to cater comprehensively to local students, with the program and upgrades offering increased academic and sporting opportunities through increased curriculum options.
Trials for the school's foundation sports will be held in 2024. The program's first cohort will begin in 2025.
Premier Chris Minns said:
"Our commitment at Eagle Vale will mean children in south-western Sydney will finally get a real opportunity to follow their sporting dreams - without having to commit hours to travel every day.
"There is such a strong sporting culture and tradition in this part of Sydney, it's time that was reflected in the opportunities available to local school children.
"This is a project that Labor MPs in the region, especially Anoulack Chanthivong, Nathan Hagarty and Greg Warren, have championed for years and we're proud that as a government we can now bring it to fruition."
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"The Macarthur region has produced a long line of great sporting champions and having a school to meet the needs of upcoming young athletes in the area is long overdue.
"Instead of spending hours each day getting to and from school, the region's gifted young athletes will soon have more time to concentrate on both their studies and sport, with quality facilities easily accessible from home.
"The Talented Sports Program at Eagle Vale High School will see local students reap the benefits of the school's partnerships with a wide range of sporting clubs, fostering excellence in sports like rugby league, soccer, basketball and cricket."
