Nigeria, Finland, Croatia, Chile, Peru and the NSW Department of Education.

If our state’s public schools could send a separate team of alumni to the Paris Olympics, its numbers would sit nicely alongside some strong sporting nations.

More than 50 former NSW public students - and one very special current student - will fly the flag at the Games, making up a sizeable chunk of the Australian team.

From Tokyo 2021 gold medal-winning canoeist Jess Fox and her sister Noemie (Blaxland High School) to boxer Shannon Davey (Narrabri High School) and Year 10 skateboarder Ruby Trew (Narrabeen Sports High School), there’s a wealth of talent that’s been honed in the state’s public school system.

It dates back to the first Paris Olympics in 1900, when former Sydney Boys High student and national champion sprinter Stan Rowley became the first Australian-born Games competitor and medallist.

One of just two Australians participating in France, Rowley picked up bronze medals in the 60m, 100m and 200m races before joining the English in a 5000m teams race, where they captured gold.

A long line of excellence from former NSW public students at the Olympics has followed. The likes of swimmers Ian Thorpe (East Hills Boys High School), Shane Gould (Turramurra Hhigh School) and Dawn Fraser (Leichhardt Home Science School) and sprinters Betty Cuthbert (Parramatta Home Science School) and Marjorie Jackson (Lithgow High School) are among our greatest ever Olympians.

Peter Banks, Leader School Sport Unit, said the Department’s Representative School Sport Pathway (RSSP) is structured so grass roots participation is encouraged and embraced, but there are also clear avenues to state and national representation.

“Research tells us there is an irrefutable connection between physical activity and positive wellbeing outcomes for students,” he said.

“Participation in a range of physical activity opportunities promotes healthy lifestyles, develops positive attitudes and has been shown to improve academic performance, school attendance and improved resilience.

“Our RSSP is recognised nationally and internationally as a world leader in the development and implementation of sporting opportunities for students and teachers.

“It is, and has been, the stepping stone for many of our Olympic stars and Australian sporting heroes.”

Taking that to the next level are NSW public sports high schools.

Starting with the establishment of Westfields Sports High at Fairfield West in 1991, there are now eight sports high schools across the state.

Mr Banks said the schools balance the needs of emerging athletes with a first-class education.

Their influence is no better exemplified than within the Matildas, with sports high schools providing five members of the Olympics squad, while another four players also attended a NSW public high school.

A close relationship with the Australian Olympic Committee was strengthened further after sports high schools became official Olympic pathway schools in 2023.

Roger Davis, President of the NSW Sports High Schools Association, said in the past 20 years sports high schools have produced nearly 50 Olympians and Paralympians.

“The main reason for their success is the holistic development of high performing student athletes,” Mr Davis said.

“We really strive to make sure the academic and wellbeing needs of our students are supported throughout what is a critical part of their lives.

“Throw in some high quality and committed coaches - many of whom who have themselves gone on to work at a state and national level - and you have the recipe for one of the country’s most important sporting nurseries.”

The Olympic Games in Paris start on July 26 and conclude on August 11. The 2024 Paralympic Games run from 28 August to 11 September.

NSW public school 2024 Olympic athletes

Athletics

• Jess Hull (Albion Park PS/Albion Park HS) competing at second Olympics.

• Aleksandra Stoilova (Westfields Sports HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Bree Master (Newtown PAHS) competing at first Olympics.

• Sarah Carli (Keira HS) competing at second Olympics.

• Brandon Starc (The Hills Sports HS) competing at third Olympics.

Badminton

• Tiffany Ho (Strathfield Girls HS) competing at first Olympics.

Basketball

• Josh Green (Samuel Gilbert PS) competing at second Olympics.
• Lauren Jackson (Murray HS) competing at fifth Olympics.

Beach Volleyball

• Maria Fe Artacho del Solar (Killara HS) competing at third Olympics.

Boxing

• Shannan Davey (Narrabri PS/Narrabri HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Tina Rahimi (Macarthur Girls HS) competing at first Olympics.

Canoe (Slalom)

• Jess Fox (Leonay PS and Glenbrook PS/Blaxland HS) competing at fourth Olympics.

• Noemie Fox (Glenbrook PS/Blaxland HS) competing at first Olympics.

Canoe (Sprint)

• Ella Beere (Kincumber HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Riley Fitzsimmons (Avoca Beach PS/Terrigal HS) competing at third Olympics.

Cycling (BMX)

• Saya Sakakibara (Kirrawee HS) competing at second Olympics.

Football

• Ellie Carpenter (Mulyan PS/Westfields Sports HS) competing at third Olympics.

• Kyra Cooney-Cross (Westfields Sports HS) competing at second Olympics.

• Caitlin Foord (Lake South PS/Illawarra Sports HS) competing at third Olympics.

• Mary Fowler (Wollongong HSPA) competing at second Olympics.

• Michelle Heyman (Warilla PS/Warilla HS) competing at second Olympics.

• Clare Hunt (Henry Lawson HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Alanna Kennedy (Rosemeadow PS/Westfields Sports HS) competing at third Olympics.

• Emily van Egmond (Whitebridge HS and Warners Bay HS) competing at third Olympics.

• Clare Wheeler (Hunter Sports HS) competing at first Olympics.

Gymnastics (Rhythmic)

• Emmanouela Frroku (Beverley Hills Girls HS) competing at first Olympics.

Hockey

• Jocelyn Bartram (Albury PS/Albury HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Tim Brand (Northern Beaches SC - Manly) competing at first Olympics.

• Thomas Craig (North Sydney Boys HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Blake Govers (Keiraville PS) competing at second Olympics.

• Flynn Ogilvie (Russell Vale PS/Woonona HS) competing at second Olympics.

• Lachie Sharp (Zig Zag PS/Lithgow HS) competing at second Olympics.

• Grace Stewart (Gerringong PS/Kiama HS) competing at third Olympics.

• Mariah Williams (Middleton PS/Parkes HS and Hunter Sports HS) competing at third Olympics.

• Ky Willott (Belmont PS/Belmont HS) competing at first Olympics.

Judo

• Joshua Katz (Northmead PS) competing at second Olympics.

Rowing

• Laura Gourley (Narrabri PS/Narrabri HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Georgina Rowe (Wakehurst PS/Davidson HS) competing at second Olympics.

Rugby 7s

• Maurice Longbottom (Matraville Sports HS) competing at second Olympics.

• Faith Nathan (Berkeley Vale PS and Killarney Vale PS/Brisbane Water SC - Tuggerah Lakes) competing at second Olympics.

• Sariah Paki (Narraweena PS/Narrabeen Sports HS) competing at second Olympics.

• Sharni Williams (Batlow Tech CS) competing at third Olympics.

Sailing

• Jim Colley (Barrenjoey HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Olivia Price (Sydney Distance Ed) competing at second Olympics.

Shooting

• James Willett (Corowa PS/Corowa HS) competing at third Olympics.

Skateboarding

• Olivia Lovelace (Narrabeen Sports HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Ruby Trew (Narrabeen Sports HS) competing at first Olympics.

Surfing

• Molly Picklum (Brisbane Water SC - Tumbi Umbi) competing at first Olympics.

Swimming

• Moesha Johnson (Tweed Heads HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Bradley Woodward (The Entrance PS/Brisbane Water SC - The Entrance) competing at first Olympics.

Water Polo

• Matthew Byrnes (Kirrawee HS) competing at first Olympics.

• Keesja Gofers (Beecroft PS) competing at third Olympics.

• Sienna Hearn (Northern Beaches SC - Freshwater) competing at first Olympics.

• Nathan Power (New Lambton PS/Merewether HS) competing at second Olympics.

Weightlifting

• Kyle Bruce (Marayong Heights PS) competing at first Olympics.
• Jacqueline Nichele (Rosemeadow PS and Blairmount PS/Campbelltown PAHS) competing at first Olympics.