Eagle Vale High School is racing into its foundational year running the Talented Sports Program with upgraded facilities, as the Minns Labor Government delivers on its election commitment to create a dedicated sports high school for young athletes in the Macarthur region.

From Day 1, Term 1, 60 students entered Australia’s newest sports high school to take part in the Talented Sports Program after competing in in athletic trials last year. The boys and girls have been selected for their abilities in basketball, cricket and rugby league.

Committed to during the election, the delivery of Australia’s newest sports high school means for the first time families in the Macarthur region have a school on their doorstep catering for students excelling in sports alongside a strong academic program.

To support Eagle Vale High School’s budding athletes the NSW Government is funding multimillion-dollar upgrades to the school with $750,000 in improvements including new cricket nets and upgraded change rooms already delivered.

Further upgrade works are also underway including for a new running track, resurfacing the school’s full-sized playing field, new lighting for the sports field, new pickleball courts, a new multipurpose hall, a new Health and PE Learning Hub and a new PE Fitness Laboratory.

Previously, aspiring athletes in the region had to travel up to an hour to pursue their athletic ambitions at their nearest sports high school.

The Talented Sports Program has a proven track record of nurturing some of the country’s best up-and-coming athletes, including more than 170 national senior level representatives in NRL and AFL, and professional basketballers, golfers and surfers. 

Successful alumni of NSW sports high schools include Test cricketer Usman Khawaja, former national cricket captain Michael Clarke, soccer greats Harry Kewell and Alanna Kennedy, and former Australian rugby league captain Boyd Cordner.

This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government’s work to rebuild public education in NSW, ensuring families in growing Western Sydney communities have access to world-class schools, no matter their postcode.

Our work includes making a record $3.6 billion investment to deliver new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney, delivering five new public schools across in Western Sydney at the beginning of 2025, and restoring respect to the teaching profession, and delivering a 40 reduction in teacher vacancies at the beginning of this school year.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Delivering this new sports high school for South-West Sydney means more young athletes will have a chance at achieving greatness.

“It is so important our young, aspiring athletes are supported to nurture their talents with high-quality schools in their local areas.

“There is such a strong sporting culture and tradition in this part of Sydney, it’s time that was reflected in the opportunities available to local school children.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said:

“The population in the Macarthur region is continuing to grow, and the Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting young people to reach their potential in their local area.

“Previously, Macarthur students had to travel an hour or more each way to access a Talented Sports Program. Now, these students can follow their sporting dreams in their local area.

“Eagle Vale High will be a school where some of South-West Sydney’s most talented athletes get their start as future Olympic champions.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren said:

“For too long, young and talented athletes in our area have had to travel more than an hour on a bus to go to the nearest sports high school.

“A new sports high school right in our local area is fantastic news for our local families, and I am proud to be part of a Labor Government that is delivering for our Western Sydney communities.”

Eagle Vale High School Principal Craig Butler said:

“The community is very excited about the new sports facilities. They think it’s wonderful that we’re supporting our kids and showing a commitment to the Macarthur area.”

“We are going to have kids who will become Olympic champions and professional athletes, but as a sports high school, we can allow them to manage their study so they don’t have to make a choice between academic success and sport.

“The students know they are part of something special and talk about the school with pride.”