Barwon Sports Academy

⭐All Abilities Athlete Story⭐

Bree Wright joined Barwon Sports Academy in 2025, bringing experience as both an elite athlete and leader within para‑badminton. She has represented Australia internationally and is currently competing with the Australian Para Badminton team.

Following a life‑changing accident in 2013, Bree transitioned into elite sport and went on to represent Australia at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in wheelchair basketball, before returning to competition in para‑badminton.

Beyond competition, Bree is a passionate advocate for inclusion and leadership, highlighted through her role as a guest speaker at the BSA Awards Evening, and her ongoing impact both on and off the court.

⭐Wellbeing isn’t just part of the game — it is the foundation⭐

For athletes (and the people backing them — yes, parents, that’s you 😉), feeling good doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes it’s about resetting — moving your body, creating something, getting outside, or simply checking in with someone you trust.

For young athletes, these everyday moments matter more than we realise. And for parents and carers, your support, listening ear, and acceptance can be the biggest performance boost of all.

Small actions. Big impact.

Let’s build environments where every athlete — and the people around them — can feel strong, supported, and fully themselves 🌈✨

⭐Recipe of the week (or maybe the year 😋)⭐

Looking for a simple, nourishing snack for busy athletes?

These apricot & oat muffins are a winner 🙌

One of our BSA team has already put this recipe to the test—and loved it! She even turned it into a slice by reducing the flour to 1 cup and adding 2 tbsp of chia seeds 👌

Perfect for lunchboxes, training days and everything in between!

⭐Athlete Achievement⭐

A huge congratulations to Barwon Sports Academy’s Arlo Shawcross, who has proudly represented Australia at the inaugural BNP Paribas Junior World Team Cup in Belgium!

Arlo played a key role as Australia secured an outstanding third-place finish, defeating the USA 2–0 in the playoff to finish on the podium.

The Aussie team dominated throughout the week—going undefeated in their group with wins over the USA, Brazil and Italy, before a hard-fought semifinal battle.

👏 Even more impressive, the team was recognised with the 2026 Team of the Year Award, celebrating their sportsmanship, team spirit and performance on the global stage.

Arlo’s contribution to this result is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and talent—representing not only Australia, but the Barwon region with pride.

💙We can’t wait to see what’s next for this rising star!

⭐We love seeing opportunities that support the people shaping our young athletes⭐

This upcoming “Coaching Young Minds” session is focused on helping coaches create safe, supportive and values-driven team environments, while giving young people the tools to perform under pressure.

It’s a great chance to build confidence as a coach and better support the mental wellbeing of the young people you work with.

Even better — funds raised help deliver free mental health education programs for young people in community sport 🙌

💡 If you’re coaching or involved in grassroots sport, this is one worth checking out!

As National Reconciliation Week comes to a close, the journey continues.

Being all in for reconciliation means carrying this commitment forward—beyond a single week.

It’s about continuing to:
• Listen
• Learn
• Act

Together, we can help create a more respectful and inclusive future for all.

⭐All Abilities Athlete Story ⭐

Tahlia Clayton Goodie joined Barwon Sports Academy in 2024, progressing quickly through high‑performance pathways and earning Victorian Institute of Sport induction.

Her breakthrough on the world stage came in 2025, where she delivered a remarkable performance at the UCI Para‑cycling World Championships. Tahlia claimed two Road World Championship titles (C1 Time Trial and Road Race), including a dominant time trial victory by over five minutes.

She backed this up on the track, winning four World Championship gold medals in Rio across sprint, scratch race, elimination and time trial events — setting a world record in the process.

Her extraordinary season saw her win six world titles in a single year, alongside being recognised as AusCycling’s Para‑cycling Track Female Athlete of the Year.

This week is a chance to pause, reflect, and keep learning.

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey—one that asks us to listen, understand, and challenge ourselves to grow.

Every conversation, every moment of learning, and every action—big or small—helps build stronger relationships and greater respect.

Let’s continue to lean in and stay all in.

⭐We love seeing opportunities that support families in our community⭐

This “Parenting Young Minds” session is all about helping parents and carers support young people through sport, pressure and performance moments.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain practical tips and feel more confident supporting your child’s wellbeing both on and off the field.

Even better — funds raised help deliver free mental health education programs for young people in community sport 🙌

💡 If you’ve got a young person in sport, this is one not to miss!

⭐ All In for Reconciliation ⭐

National Reconciliation Week 2026 has begun (27 May – 3 June).

This week is an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, recognise the resilience and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and consider how we each contribute to a more inclusive future.

Reconciliation starts with awareness—but it doesn’t stop there.

It lives in our actions, our choices and our willingness to listen and learn.

Let’s be all in—this week and beyond.