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About Us
Founded in 2009, the Gold Coast Academy of Sport is a not-for-profit sporting organisation which exists to help produce future champions within the region.
Programs are developed to provide opportunities for young able bodied and athletes with a disability to develop the fundamental physical literacy including sport specific skills. Programs also support the lifelong engagement with sport to prepare them for regional, state, national and international competition. To retain and further develop talent in sport is an important message.
Positioned in the ‘Talent’ phase of the FTEM framework, the Academy offers a variety of sporting program for athletes aged 12 – 18 years of age. Each program is uniquely designed specifically for the sport and can span a few days to six months. Programs aim to promote interest, participation, knowledge and opportunity to all involved. Programs also encourage athletes to use the tools and skills learnt to reach their full potential.
The pressures and challenges facing our talented athletes are not limited to just physical performance. Expectation, time management, social media, financial pressures, education, training, and recovery are just some pressures all athletes must cope with. The Academy focuses on offering the athlete with information to help cope with these and other areas that athletes are faced with in their sporting life. Academy programs focuses on the importance of ensuring athletes have acquired the skills and knowledge to allow them to cope with performance and training pressures to enjoy their sport and perform at their best when they step into the elite arena.
Education and retention of athletes within sport is another of the academy’s major aims. It is a well-known fact that between the ages of 12 and 18 many athletes walk away from their sport. The Academy’s mission is to engage with these athletes and offer them an opportunity to develop further within their sport through skill development and core education sessions. Recognition and acknowledgement of talent and performance is a major factor in growing the athlete’s confidence which in turn helps them to achieve.
Our guiding principle
Preparing pre-elite Gold Coast athletes for their journey to Olympic or high-performance success through quality inclusive sport and life skill programs.
Our Values
To Achieve
To Excel
To Inspire
To Respect
To Inspire
Meet Our Team
Our Directors

David Eckersley
Chair
Founding partner of Cambio Group – one of the largest fully integrated financial services firms on the Gold Coast. Has completed a Master’s Degree in Professional Accounting and a qualified CPA since 2002. Father of four young boys with all spare time spent involved with many kinds of junior sport.

Glynis Nunn OAM
Vice Chair / CEO

Mick Veivers AM
Mick Veivers AM represented Queensland, New South Wales and Australia in rugby league, worked as a television sports commentator for 16 years, served 14 years as a Member of State Parliament including three years as Minister for Sport and Emergency Services, and was the Founding Chair of the Gold Coast Academy of Sport, where he now serves as Patron.

Wayne Hickson
Wayne Hickson is an experienced writer, editor and major event media manager.
He has worked as a sports media specialist at seven Olympic Games, five Commonwealth Games and many other major events in China, Japan, Europe and South America.

Carol Fox

Lydia Badoer
Lydia has a diverse background spanning from tax consulting to data and technology, with a strong skillset in project management. She is currently managing technology implementation projects at Collingwood Football Club, and is passionate about supporting women in sport and leadership.

Daniel Rich
Daniel Rich is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played 275 AFL games for the Brisbane Lions after debuting in 2009 and winning the AFL Rising Star in his first season. An All-Australian selection, he retired in 2023 and now serves as State Strategic Development Manager (QLD/NT) for Johns Lyng Group.
Michael Johnson
Bio