Olympic Medallists Lead Winter Induction Celebrations

Olympic gold medallist Jakara Anthony and bronze medallists Tess Coady and Ben Tudhope will join fellow NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) winter sports scholarship holders tonight as the Institute celebrates its’ annual winter induction ceremony. 

More than 30 of the nation’s best ski and snowboard athletes will gather in Jindabyne for the prestigious event, which welcomes returning scholarship holders as well as new scholarship athletes to high performance.  

“After the success of our NSWIS athletes and coaches at Beijing 2022 we are now at the start of a new Olympic cycle towards Milan 2026,” NSWIS Manager of Winter Sports Peter Topalovic said.  

“We have a new influx of amazing talent coming into the program and it’s an exciting time for winter sports in Australia.” 

Among the NSWIS scholarship holders are twelve new athletes including teenage mogul skier Jackson Harvey, who competes with an incredibly high degree of difficulty and is knocking on the door of world cup competition.  

Born in the USA to an Australian mother and American father, Harvey is an exciting skier to watch having made the podium at a recent Nor-Am Cup.  

"It's such a privilege to join the NSWIS program and I'm thrilled to be back in Australia training with the moguls squad!" Harvey said.  

"I'm looking forward to notching some podium performances for the green and gold--hopefully in the not too distant future." 

Present to recognise and welcome the athletes were NSWIS CEO Professor Kevin Thompson, Member for Monaro Nichole Overall, Snow Australia CEO Michael Kennedy and strategic partners from Perisher, Thredbo, and Jindabyne Sport & Recreation Centre. 

“The winter induction ceremony is a unique and rare opportunity where all our athletes are together under the one roof,” NSWIS CEO Professor Kevin Thompson said.  

“It’s a time to celebrate the success of our programs, the athletes and staff. It’s a time to foster rich cultural traditions and a time to recognise our stakeholders and strategic partners.” 

Snow Australia CEO Michael Kennedy said “It's fantastic to see so many new Snow Australia athletes across moguls, snowboard cross, park & pipe and para-alpine and snowboard joining the established cohort, as NSWIS scholarship recipients for the upcoming season.  

“There has been a great deal of work by our team over the past few years to prepare athletes for this moment via the Emerging Talent Program (ETP) and we wish them well as they begin their journey as NSWIS athletes. 

"With the likes of Olympic and Paralympic medallists Jakara Anthony, Matt Graham, Tess Coady and Ben Tudhope excelling in the program, it shows the snow sports pathway is producing results, and allowing us to develop present and future talents across all disciplines. 

Comments from athletes:

Jakara Anthony 

"The NSWIS program has been crucial in helping my development from a club level athlete to being ready to take on the world’s best.  

It has given me access to the best coaches in the world who have supported me to become the athlete I am today.  

It is very exciting to see so many new scholarship holders come on board this year. I am stoked they have been given the same opportunities I was and I hope this helps them to achieve their goals in the sport. 

Australia has already established itself in the world of Snowsports on the international stage. It is great to see so much more talent coming through from our club programs. I hope that it continues to grow as we have more success."

Lottie Lodge 

"I am really excited to be on the NSWIS team. It is very cool to train alongside all the older athletes such as Matt Graham and Jakara Anthony. 

The NSWIS Scholarship give me access to facilities such as the Jindabyne gym and Brisbane water ramp. I also work with the top ski coaches and service staff in particular strength and conditioning coach Janina Strauts and nutritionist Ali Miles.  

My goals over the next twelve months are to improve as a skier and learn how to train as an elite athlete. I want to learn how to compete on the international level and represent Australia."

Tristian Rowley  

"It is a dream come true to be announced as a NSWIS Scholarship recipient. I have been working towards this for a very long time and I am excited to get started. 

This season the NSWIS Scholarship will maximise my training and help me to achieve the best I can be. It will give me access to more training facilities such as Brisbane water ramp, gym access in Jindabyne and Melbourne and the on-snow courses in Perisher. 

Over the next 12 months I want to perform well and put down solid runs at all competitions. I want to learn to be a better athlete from athletes such as Matt Graham, Jakara Anthony & Cooper Woods, not only about skiing but what they do off the snow." 

2022/2023 NSWIS Scholarship Recipients