It has been a huge week for the Great Southern Academy of Sport, with Mason Watkins and Ginger Gleeson both proudly representing Australia for the first time at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin.

To have two GSAS athletes wearing the green and gold on the international stage is an incredibly proud moment for the academy and a reflection of the exceptional talent coming through the Great Southern Region of Western Australia.

The Great Southern Academy of Sport is excited to welcome 16 new scholarship athletes into the program following a record number of applications for the 2026 intake.

Drawing talented young athletes from across the Great Southern, including Albany, Denmark, and Mount Barker, the new intake reflects the continued growth of high-performance sport in the region and the increasing demand for pathway opportunities for emerging athletes.

This year’s intake features athletes across a diverse range of sports including basketball, athletics, tennis, cricket, swimming, equestrian, BMX, football, and surf lifesaving.

The Great Southern Academy of Sport is proud to celebrate scholarship athlete Henri, who alongside sailing partner Mia, has claimed the Nacra 15 National Championship in an outstanding performance.

The pair impressed throughout the regatta, showing great communication, composure, and tactical awareness to take home the national title.

The Great Southern Academy of Sport is incredibly proud to celebrate scholarship athlete Keely Berry, who has been named the Retravision Albany Junior Sportsperson of the Year at the City of Albany Sports Awards.

The annual awards night was a fantastic celebration of sporting achievement across our region, with Australian athletics star Peter Bol attending as guest speaker and sharing his journey with the local sporting community.

Regional athletes have a long-standing history in Western Australia for dominating the sporting landscape and young gun Keely Berry is shaping up to be one of them.

We are excited to announce that Ben Blechynden has been awarded the Retravision Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award!

Ben, a rising hockey talent, played an integral role in helping the WA U14 Country Team secure national gold. As the captain of his local team, he led them to a grand final win, earning Best and Fairest and Grand Final MVP. His dedication extends beyond playing, as he also contributes as a coach and umpire.

Ben’s exceptional achievements at such a young age make him a true inspiration. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

The Great Southern Academy of Sport is about to embark on an exciting phase under the guidance of its newly appointed executive officer Danielle Carne, backed by more than $500,000 to further the growth of young athletes within the region.

GSAS athlete Isi Campbell, has brought home Team Gold from the ISA Junior World Championships in El Salvador in May 2024.

Isi a talented athlete and high performance surfer from

Albany, Fri Oct 6th marks a significant milestone in the sporting landscape of our region as we proudly announce the opening date of athlete applications to the inaugural sports academy in the Great Southern region. The academy will be the premier sports institute dedicated to the nurturing of talented junior athletes.

As of May 25th 2023, GSSTA will be known as The Great Southern Academy of Sport and will transition to a full Academy model with the aim of offering full athlete scholarships towards the end of 2023. A new board of management has been formed and is comprised of: