Doug Hogan

Journalist/News Editor
PRIME NEWS WAGGA

"I've seen the looks in the kids eyes as they scaled a wheat silo, and the smiles on their faces as they tried wheelchair basketball. I've seen Duncan Armstrong, Susie Maroney, Louise Sauvage and others be thrilled by what they saw and did at these camps.

I am convinced this is a concept, a project for all Australian Sport. So simple, yet so brilliant. Bradman
 inspired this idea, and the project delivers the opportunity for young sports people to aspire to similar greatness through example rather than
pure sporting skill. I'm a fan. This is the best sports concept I have ever heard of or been part of." 

2009

I had the honour of being invited to help out with the Cootamundra Sports Leadership Camp this year. And I can easily say I think I enjoyed myself as much as any of the participants there. It's a great opportunity for the youth of the area to come together and gain skills that will put them in good stead for the future, both sporting and otherwise.

Hamish MacDonald

2006

Paralympian - Shotput

I had the pleasure of attending the sport leadership camp in Cootamundra last year.

I had a fantastic time at the camp, The weekend was an opportunity for young people from all over the region to come together share their ideas and experiences as well as spending time around peers  with similar stories.

Anyone who is involved with this annual weekend is sure to come away having had a worthwhile experience.

Louise Sauvage

2005

Olympian Paralympian 

“Great! – Just absolutely Great!” 

“You can see the difference in the participants over the period of the Camp and watch them as they begin to grow”

“I’m now a fan! – This Camp makes such a difference to the young leaders that it supports”

Sarah Ryan

2005

Olympian 

“What a great concept and what a great opportunity for the young participants” 

“I am proud to add the fact that I have been a Camp leader at the Cootamundra Sports Leadership Foundation Camp to my resume” 

“The dedication of the Camp organizers just rubs of on you and you can’t help but be inspired by their efforts’

Heath Francis

2004

Dual Paralympian 

“I had heard about the Camp from other athletes, but wasn’t prepared for the professional manner in which the Camp was managed” 

“I was not only the teacher – I was also the student for the weekend and learned much from the experience” 

“If you are young and a sports leader then this is the one for you”

Joanne Morgan

2004 

Australian Netballer 

“If only I had been able to attend a camp like this one when I was growing up” 

Richard Nicholson

2003

Olympian 

"I was proud to be the first Paralympic Camp Leader, and the participants were genuine in their desire to listen and learn" 

"Many of the top sports should have a look at both the Camp and the way it is operated"

Clementine Stoney

2003

Olympian

 "The camp is certainly very unique in its approach to leadership and development and the organisers are to be highly congratulated for their efforts" 

"The participants are tuned in, and all of them are there because they want to learn" 

"The range of activities, and the facilities and setting in which they are set, makes this a once in a lifetime experience for all concerned"

Susie Maroney

2002

World Champion Distance Swimmer  

"I was delighted to support Cootamundra Sports Leadership Foundation in the delivery of such a great idea" 

"It was wonderful to be able to share the dreams and goals of such a great bunch of young athletes" 

"The camaraderie and team spirit that I felt in Cootamundra will stick with me for years to come" 

"Thank you to Cootamundra Sports Leadership Foundation for the privilege of inviting me to be camp leader for such an exciting project"

Duncan Armstrong

2001

Olympian 

"To say that the Cootamundra Sports Leadership Foundation are on a winner is a gross understatement" 

"The program you have in place with the enthusiasm of parents and sponsors rivals many Australian sports at the elite level" 

"It made me tremendously proud to be a small part of this excellent undertaking. I'm sure that many of the camp participants will be names we will come to know in years to come"

Mark Kerry

2000

Olympian

"It was an extremely special weekend" 

"The concept was excellent, the activities varied and interesting and I was thrilled to be able to be a part of it"

"Outside of the Australian Institute of Sport, I have never seen such a concept put in place" 

"The fact that it was able to be staged in what must be considered a small country town is testimony to both the organisers and the participants"