| South Australian Sports Institute Athletes' Commission (SASIAC)
The Athletes' Voice
Overview
The newly formed SASI Athletes' Commission is made up of five SASI Scholarship holder representatives:
The SASI Athletes' Commission members are committed to providing a voice for SASI athletes.
The role of the Athletes' Commission is to provide a mechanism for athletes to have input and make formal representation to the SASI Management Team, and;
To provide a mechanism for the SASI Management Team to seek representative feedback from athletes.
- The SASI Athletes' Commission shall advise the Management on key matters relating to SASI policy and operations, including, but not limited to, facilities, uniforms, scholarship agreements, code of conducts, performance assistance schemes, awards.
- The SASI Athletes' Commission undertakes to use its best endeavour to be available to provide advice and support to athletes in their personal capacities.
SASI Athletes are encouraged to contact any of the SASIAC representatives if there is an issue they wish to discuss with them.
To contact the SASI Athletes' Commission please email sasiac@saugov.sa.gov.au
AMBER HALLIDAY - CHAIR
Amber Halliday started her rowing career as a schoolgirl coxswain and now can lay claim to two senior world championship titles and a world record set at the Athens Olympics. She made her first international appearance in 1999, winning gold at the U23 Championships in Hamburg. She then combined with Sally Causby to win gold in the lightweight quad in Lucerne 2001, gold in the lightweight double in Seville, 2002 and silver in the same boat in Milan 2003. Amber was selected for the 2004 Olympic Team in the lightweight double with 2000 Olympian Sally Newmarch. Accidents and injury marred their preparation, but Amber and Sally still managed to set a “worlds best time” in the heat, and placed 4th in the final.
Amber has completed two degrees (Psychology and Media) and now works at the University of Adelaide as a project officer. She is also a FISA (International Rowing Federation) Athletes Commissioner.
ANDREW SCHACHT – DEPUTY CHAIR
Andrew began his indoor volleyball career at Morialta High School. He moved quickly into State junior teams and became a SASI scholarship holder in 1991. While progressing to the indoor Australian team in 1995 his love for beach volleyball developed and he made the change to play full time on the World Tour for Australia in 1996. After medalling in Portugal in 2003 and a top 10 world ranking in the 2004 season Andrew and his partner Josh Slack finished 9th at the Athens Olympics. With the AIS Beach Volleyball Programme being established in Adelaide in late 2005 Andrew will begin his journey to bring home gold in Beijing 2008.
Andrew became a first time father with partner Moira to baby Zander in March 2005.
KATE BARCLAY
Kate Barclay started kayaking in September 1995 in the SASI Talent Search Squad and was selected to her first Australian team as a Junior in 1998. In 2001 she made the Australian Senior team in the Ladies K4 where they placed at the World Championships in Poland 9th over 500m, 7th over 1000m and 7th over 200m. In 2003 she swapped to the Ladies K2 event making the Senior Squad and competing at various World Cups. However, her love for the K4 saw her return to this event in 2004. The crew qualified for the Olympics by finishing 4th in the European Championships in the 500m Olympic event. They went on to finish 6th at the Olympic Games, producing the best Australian result, at an Olympics in this event.
Kate is studying science at Macquarie University with a view to zoology or veterinary science in the future. She works part-time at Westpac and has also been involved with surf lifesaving for the past six years.
DARYL TAYLOR
After starting his sporting career as a promising junior footballer, at the age of 19 Daryl Taylor focused on setting up his own business. Then, at the age of 24, on his way to work Daryl was involved in a car accident that changed his life dramatically.
Daryl has been in a wheelchair since and discovered his talent for Wheelchair Basketball while in rehabilitation. Since 1994 he has been employed by Transport SA to run the Driver Intervention Program, he is currently Vice President of Wheelchair Sports Association of South Australia as well as being involved in other varied community programs.
Since 1994 Daryl has become a key player in the Australian Wheelchair Basketball Team. In that time he has won many medals including silver at the Athens Paralympic Games and most recently coming first in the NWBL with the Sydney Razorbacks.
EMMA WIRKUS - SECRETARY
Emma Wirkus has been a member of the SASI Soccer Squad and representing South Australia since 1997. She spent some time in the USA playing for Milligan College from 2001 to 2002, and then for Ashville Splash (USA semi-pro league) in 2002. Emma got the call up to the National Team – the Matildas – in 2005.
On the more personal side, Emma is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Law / Behavioural Science at Flinders University. She combines her study and training with her work as Manager of Campbelltown Sports Store.
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