**Testing Day at Illawarra Academy of Sport Attracts Young Athletes** Sixteen-year-old Cody Luzuriaga is eager to pursue a professional basketball career. He is determined to measure his skills against elite athletes his age. To succeed in basketball, he knows he needs endurance, strength, and explosive jumping ability. The Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) in Wollongong has opened its doors to young athletes, providing them with an opportunity to test their abilities. The academy has produced notable Australian sports stars, including swimmer Emma McKeon and surfer Sally Fitzgibbons. "I was most interested in testing my jumping ability because I play basketball, as well as my speed and strength," Cody said. "I'd love to play professionally anywhere, but you have to seek out people who are better than you and have more knowledge than you." On the testing day, about 50 students participated in various assessments. Courtney Gallagher, the strength and conditioning coordinator at IAS, noted that many of the participants had never undergone such testing before. "So it's good data for them to have to improve on and develop their athletic ability," Gallagher said. "If they do similar tests in the future, they can look back on how far they've come." The testing included sprinting, jumping, mobility, power, and endurance assessments for athletes aged 12 to 17 at the University of Wollongong Sports Hub. Gallagher emphasized that the day could serve as a reality check for some students while also providing valuable insights for their development. "It's quite difficult [to make it professionally] — you've got to get that development early on, but even if you don't, you can still get into pathways at a later adolescent age," she said. "It's really useful for the athletes to get that insight of where they're sitting and what they can do to be at that professional level in the future." The open testing day aims to attract children from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, as well as those from culturally diverse and low socio-economic backgrounds. Salv Carmusciano, chief executive of the Illawarra Academy of Sport, highlighted the importance of accessibility in sports. "For us, it's about being accessible — we've been around 40 years and prided ourselves on having a scholarship program where the kids don't pay anything," Carmusciano said. "Costs can be a barrier, and we like to think an organization like ours has been able to remove that." He added that the academy aims to create more opportunities for disadvantaged communities. "They all have a dream, and I believe they feel they've got what it takes — and so they should. Our job is to nurture that ambition and willingness to be the best they can be. Hopefully, they leave today with a bit of hope." Participants like Ada Houldsworth, a 12-year-old soccer player and runner from Gerringong, found the testing beneficial. "I came to see where I'm at and when I'm older to see how far I've come," she said. "I've found the weighted lunges today challenging, but I was surprised how far I could actually jump, because I didn't know how to jump until I was 10. I think I've gone pretty well, but it's definitely been challenging." Aoife Moroney, who plays Oztag and touch football, expressed her enthusiasm for the experience. "Today gave me more confidence, because when I'm out on the field, I can lose my confidence if there's a lot of new people around," she said. "Today was a great day to experience that." The IAS testing day not only provides young athletes with a chance to assess their skills but also encourages them to pursue their sporting ambitions.