Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Generations

From the Illawarra to the World: A Legacy of Champions

The Illawarra Academy of Sport has partnered with The Illawarra Connection to deliver their upcoming black-tie dinner at the Novotel Wollongong, on Tuesday August 6th from 6.30pm.

Guest speakers on the night will include:

Australian cycling legend and Olympian Brad McGee
Former Australian wheelchair basketball player and four-time Paralympian and former IAS scholarship recipient Brett Stibners
Two-time Olympian, IAS coach, former Illawarra Hawks player, and co-captain and Illawarra sporting great Glen Saville
Current IAS scholarship recipient Marci Davis Cook, an Australian snowboard cross champion, and future Olympic contender

The Illawarra Connection serves as a platform that connects business and community leaders in the region, holding black tie dinners for its members throughout the year designed to engage, educate, and inspire. The dinners attract hundreds of people representing Illawarra businesses.

Join us for a special evening as The Illawarra Connection partners with the Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) to celebrate the spirit of the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Our August black-tie dinner promises an unforgettable night of inspiration, honouring the achievements of some of our region's highly-successful athletes along with our next generation of sporting champions.

Our keynote speaker for the evening will be Brad McGee, Australian cycling legend and former Olympian. Brad's journey of dedication and excellence will undoubtedly inspire us all.

Following Brad's address, we will engage in a dynamic Q&A session with former IAS scholarship recipient Brett Stibners, Australian wheelchair basketball player and four-time Paralympian, and Illawarra sporting great Glen Saville, two-time Olympian, IAS coach, former Illawarra Hawks player, and co-captain.

To conclude, we will hear a vote of thanks from current IAS scholarship recipient Marci Davis Cook, an Australian snowboard cross champion, and future Olympic contender.

This event offers a unique opportunity to honour the exceptional achievements of our Illawarra athletes and to find inspiration in their stories. Come dressed in your finest (Green & Gold if you wish) and join us for an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence and inspiring future generations as The Illawarra Connection does so well.

Please RSVP by July 26, 2024. Please include any dietary requirements.

Networking: 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Dinner: 7.30pm

Tuesday, 6 August 2024

Ballroom

Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

Cliff Road, Wollongong

Dress: Black Tie | Formal

$180 per ticket - Limited tickets available

About our Keynote Speaker:

Brad McGee is a former professional cyclist (road and track), having represented Australia at multiple Olympic and Commonwealth Games earning numerous medals including gold in the team pursuit at the 2004 Athens Olympics and 5 gold medals in Commonwealth Games. As a road cyclist he managed to win two individual stages of the Tour de France (2002, 2003) as well as an individual stage of the Gior d’Italia. He also wore the leader’s golden jersey for four days in the Vuelta a Espana (the first Aussie to lead this tour). He was awarded the Order of Australia in 2005 and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2017. Brad is currently the High Performance Coach Advisor at the NSW Institute of Sport.

About our Panellists:
Glen Saville - He was recruited to the Hawks in 1995, where he spent 14 of his 15 playing years. He co-captained the Hawks with Mat Campbell (also an IAS coach) between 2000 and 2003, guiding the team to their maiden NBL Championship in 2001. Glen is a two-time Olympian, representing the Boomers (Australian Basketball team) at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics, represented Australia at the East Asian and Goodwill Games 2001, and on tours to China and Europe in 2002 and numerous other achievements. Glen retired in 2013 following a knee injury, completing his career with 563 NBL appearances, 527 with the Hawks (all-time games record holder at the club). Glen maintains positions in the game locally and continues to serve as a head basketball coach with the IAS program, where his son is also a squad member and navigating the high performance pathway.
Brett Stibners – Australian wheelchair basketball player, having first represented his country in 2006 (first started playing wheelchair basketball in 2003). He is a four-time Paralympian, having won gold with the team at the 2008 Beijing Games, and silver at the 2012 London Games. Brett received the Order of Australia Medal following the Beijing Games. Brett was also part of the world-champion winning Australian team in Birmingham, 2010. Brett continues to play with the Wollongong Roller Hawks in the National Wheelchair Basketball League and will be heading to Paris as an Assistant Coach of the Rollers, the Men’s National Wheelchair Basketball team.