Office of Sport - Illawarra Shoalhaven

23/01/2026

Big news for sports fans in the Illawarra! 🎉

A bold new vision has been unveiled to transform Wollongong into a world‑class sports and entertainment precinct, with $17 million committed to unlock the next stage of planning.
✨ What’s coming?
🎤 A brand‑new WIN Arena – seating 9,500 fans (almost double its current size)
🏉 A revitalised WIN Stadium, featuring:
✔️ A new northern grandstand
✔️Expanded and reconfigured southern grandstand
✔️Upgraded player changerooms to support the growth of men’s and women’s sport

Once complete, the precinct is expected to host up to 150 sporting and entertainment events each year, generating around $550 million in economic activity for the local community.

Fans will also benefit from a new beach‑side complex with café and hospitality offerings.

The project will also support more than 600 full‑time jobs during construction, with up to 1,100 roles created over the life of the project, delivering lasting benefits for the Illawarra region.

26/10/2025

Your next adventure starts with us!
We’re looking for motivated and enthusiastic people to join our team as Program Officers at our 10 Sport and Recreation Centres across the State.
This is your chance to play a key role in developing and delivering programs that inspire people to get active and enjoy the outdoors.
If you’re passionate about recreation, community engagement and making a positive impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and help us make a direct contribution and difference to sport and recreation in NSW👉 http://srkr.io/6186SxG

17/07/2025

If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time!
Registrations are still open for the 2025 Koori Netball Tournament in Charlestown.
The tournament runs across the weekend of 25 and 26 October.
Play with nearly 1,000 Aboriginal netballers from across NSW and have some fun in the sun! ☀️ 🏃🏻‍♀️
Find out more here - http://srkr.io/61875hh

30/06/2025

❄️Winter School Holidays Plans Sorted!❄️

Looking for an unforgettable school holiday experience for your primary-school aged kids? Our School Holiday Camps are packed with action, laughter, and outdoor fun — all in a safe and supportive environment at our Berry Sport and Recreation Centre!

Your kids will be spoilt for choice with activities such as:
🎯 Archery
🧗‍♂️ Rock Climbing
🚣‍♀️ Canoeing & Kayaking
🔦 Dark Maze
🔥 Campfire Making & Damper Cooking

It’s the perfect way for kids to make new friends, build confidence, and create epic memories — all while staying active these holidays.

📅 Spots are filling fast and registration is closing soon!

👉 Don’t miss out — sign up today and tag a friend who needs to know about this!

🔗 Register now - https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/spor.../school-holiday-programs

11/06/2025

WONDER WOMEN WEDNESDAY
This week we wanted to do something a little different and take the time to celebrate a whole group of Wonder Women – the participants in the NSW Triathlon Finish Lines Not Finish Times program! This innovative initiative came from a successful women’s only pilot that was delivered at one club in 2019 through an Office of Sport Her Sport Her Way grant. It was a such a great success that it was rolled out across the State, offering opportunities for women all over NSW to give triathlon a go.

The program strongly encourages participation, removing pressure around achieving certain times and instead focusing on getting to the finish line as a huge achievement in itself. By removing this pressure, more women have felt empowered to give it a “tri” and discovered a love of a new sport.

The Office of Sport has supported the program with a total of $84,000 funding through the Her Sport Her Way Grant Program and we’re ecstatic to see success the program has had in getting more women participating in triathlon.

NSW Triathlon has been delighted with the surge in participation of women and girls from all walks of life taking part in their sport.

“We always say, Triathlon is for all ages and abilities but then our marketing and our media is photos of elite athletes.... once the events started a lot of the clubs got their own photographers… so now we have this huge bank of photos of just women having fun, women of all shapes and sizes. And we just gradually introduced it into our regular communications.”

For more information about Finish Lines Not Finish Times, check out our website 👇
http://srkr.io/6185e5X

10/06/2025

Planning a ski trip with a large group this ski season? We’ve recently upgraded the lodge-style accommodation at Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre, making it the ideal location for families, sporting groups and ski enthusiasts.
Choose from two self-contained lodges accommodating up to 36 people, each offering comfort, convenience and everything you need to enjoy the snow season.
Located a short drive from Jindabyne town centre with on-site parking, fully equipped kitchens and dining areas, Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre is the perfect base for anyone visiting the ski fields.
Contact our Reservations team on 13 13 02 to book your 2025 ski season holiday or learn more at http://srkr.io/6189edV

06/06/2025

Office of Sport In Your Town: We’re excited to see progress on upgrades to Thomas Gibson Park Thirroul.
Wollongong City Council recently awarded the tender for the construction of new amenities at the sports hub which the Office of Sport is supporting through a $1 million Level the Playing Field Program grant.
The upgrades will include all-gender changerooms, a referees’ room, first aid room, new canteen facilities and toilets.
We look forward to the new facilities supporting increased participation in the Illawarra.

Thomas Gibson Park Thirroul is set for a makeover, with Wollongong City Council awarding the tender for the construction of new amenities at the iconic northern suburbs sporting hub.

04/06/2025

Yesterday marked the end of National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025, so we wanted to celebrate a special Wonder Woman who our staff were lucky enough to learn from during the week. Savannha Roberts (Bundjalung, Dunghutti and Barkindji) is a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Program Manager at Reconciliation Australia.
Savannha oversees sporting organisation RAPs, helping National and State Sporting Organisations and professional clubs navigate the four different RAP types – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate.
Savannha’s work is hugely important in helping sport play its part in the journey towards reconciliation and helping organisations understand their role in this year’s NRW theme, Bridging Now to Next.
“I’ve been given opportunities to voice my ideas and visions and confidently challenge my RAP partners by putting community voices and needs at the forefront of the work I do,” Savannha said.
Thank you to Savannha for her guidance and education – not just during NRW, but every week of the year.

03/06/2025

Invictus Australia – South Coast NSW Newsletter
June Edition | Welcome to Winter!

Hello Team Invictus!

Winter may be here, but that won’t stop us from staying active, connected, and engaged. At Invictus Australia, we’re committed to keeping veterans and families moving, no matter the season.

This month, we’re thrilled to invite you to our Veteran and Family Bowls Come and Try Day at the Shoalhaven Heads Bowling Club. We’re teaming up with the wonderful volunteers from Bowls GR8 for Brains and Bowls Australia to bring you a relaxed and fun-filled morning of barefoot bowls. No experience needed – just bring your sense of fun!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring the whole family – there’ll be activities to keep the kids entertained
🔥 BBQ lunch provided
🎳 When: Saturday 14th June, 10am-12pm
📍 Where: Shoalhaven Heads Bowling Club
🔗 RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/veteran-and-family-bowls-shoalhaven-heads-nsw-tickets-1347383453179?aff=oddtdtcreator

What’s On This Winter – Stay Active, Stay Connected

There’s something for everyone this season, indoors and out:

🧘‍♀️ Yoga
Relax and recharge in our warm and welcoming weekly yoga classes.
📍 Shoalhaven Veteran and Family Hub
📅 Thursdays 5-6pm
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/term-2-yoga-nowra-nsw-tickets-1302722691639?aff=oddtdtcreator

🚣‍♂️ Indoor Rowing
Join our Team Veteran indoor rowing crew! A great way to keep fit and have a laugh with mates.
📍 Shoalhaven PCYC
📅 Monday evenings 5:30-6:30pm
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/term-2-indoor-rowing-program-nowra-nsw-tickets-1302688860449?aff=oddtdtcreator

⛵️ Discover Sailing
Soak in the fresh sea air and learn the ropes with support from the amazing volunteers at the Jervis Bay Cruising Yacht Club. We’ll provide warm jackets, friendly guidance, and unforgettable views.
📅 Tuesday 10th June
📍 Callala Bay
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/discover-sailing-south-coast-nsw-tickets-1371875750299?aff=oddtdtcreator

Want to Get Involved?
Whether you're trying something new or returning to an activity you love, we'd love to have you join us. Click the links above or get in touch with me to find out more.

03/06/2025

The NSW Office of Sport is deeply committed to reconciliation and a more equal and respectful future for First Nations people and communities.
As part of National Reconciliation Week 2025, and with centres and venues located on Aboriginal land across NSW, each with their own Dreaming Stories, we wanted to share the story of Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre on Bundjalung Country.
According to the oral traditions of the Bundjalung, the area was first settled by the Three Brothers, Mamoonth, Yarbirri and Birrung and their descendants. The Founding Three Brothers made one of their famous landings at what is now Lennox Head - said to be near a group of black rocks on the beach.
When one of the brothers, Yarbirri, thrust a spear into the sand, fresh water ran, creating Lake Ainsworth and it is said that when the tide is low you can still see a rusty stain.
Through Dreaming Stories like this one, we are encouraged to care for the land now and in the future through an understanding of the importance of a region to First Nations culture, something we are committed to at all our centres and venues.

02/06/2025

The future of sport is evolving and the demand for smart, skilled and ambitious young women in the sports industry has never been higher. To capitalise on this unique opportunity, last month our team delivered the Championing Her Future: Careers for Girls in Sport Summit at the Australian Theatre for Young People.
The event was designed to equip high school teachers, career guidance counsellors, universities, sports industry, people and culture managers and corporations with the tools, insights, and connections to inspire and support young girls in pursuing diverse careers in sport.
The attendees heard from top industry experts and met inspiring women who are leading change and gained valuable insights into emerging career pathways, job trends and future opportunities in the sports industry.
Check out the highlights from the day and hear from the panellists in our video.