The Minns Labor Government have delivered on another election commitment with Eagle Vale High School becoming Australia's newest sports high school, as work continues to ensure families in Western Sydney have access to world class public education opportunities.
The school's Talented Sports Program kicked off on day one term one this year with 60 students who successfully competed in the athletic trials last year excelling across Rugby League, Basketball and Cricket.
The delivery of this election commitment means for the first time families in the Macarthur region have a school on their doorstep catering for students excelling in sports alongside a strong academic program.
Previously, aspiring athletes in the region had to travel up to an hour to pursue their athletic ambitions at their nearest sports high school.
To support Eagle Vale High School's students the NSW Government is funding multimillion-dollar upgrades to the school with new cricket nets and upgraded change rooms already delivered.
Further upgrade works are also underway including for a new running track, resurfacing the school's full-sized playing field, new lighting for the sports field, new pickleball courts, a new multipurpose hall, a new Health and PE Learning Hub and a new PE Fitness Laboratory.
The Talented Sports Program has a proven track record of nurturing some of the country's best up-and-coming athletes, including more than 170 national senior level representatives in NRL and AFL, and professional basketballers, golfers and surfers.
Successful alumni of NSW sports high schools include Test cricketer Usman Khawaja, former national cricket captain Michael Clarke, soccer greats Harry Kewell and Alanna Kennedy, and former Australian rugby league captain Boyd Cordner.
This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government's plan to rebuild public education in NSW, ensuring families in growing Western Sydney communities have access to world-class schools, no matter their postcode. This ongoing work includes:
- Investing a record $3.6 billion to deliver new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney
- Delivering five new public schools across Western Sydney which welcomed students for the first time day one, term one 2025
- Valuing the workforce by delivering the largest pay rise in a generation to NSW's 95,000 teachers
- Giving teachers job security by making 16,000 teachers and school support staff on temporary contacts permanent
- Reducing teacher vacancies by 40 per cent, ensuring more students have a qualified teacher at the front of their classrooms.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"No matter the postcode we want to ensure that children across New South Wales are given every opportunity to achieve their dreams.
"This means kids in South-West Sydney will have a real opportunity to pursue their sporting aspirations without their parents having to commit to hours of travel each day.
"For both budding athletes and their parents, this is a game changer.
"There is such a strong sporting culture in this part of Sydney and it's great that the opportunities available to local school children finally reflects that."
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said:
"The population in the Macarthur region is continuing to grow, and the Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting young people to reach their potential in their local area.
"Previously, Macarthur students had to travel an hour or more each way to access a Talented Sports Program. Now, these students can follow their sporting dreams in their local area.
"Eagle Vale High will be a school where some of South-West Sydney's most talented athletes get their start as possible future Olympic champions."
Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:
"It is fantastic to see the upgrade works underway at Eagle Vale High School.
"Delivering a selective sports stream for the Macarthur community is giving talented young athletes from our local area more opportunities.
"I cannot wait to see the dividends this investment delivers for our strong local sporting community."
Eagle Vale High School principal Craig Butler said:
"The community is very excited about the new sports facilities. They think it's wonderful that we're supporting our kids and showing a commitment to the Macarthur area.
"We are going to have kids who will become Olympic champions and professional athletes, but as a sports high school, we can allow them to manage their study so they don't have to make a choice between academic success and sport.
"The students know they are part of something special and talk about the school with pride."
