History of Weightlifting in New South Wales

Since the inception of the sport in Australia in 1912, NSW has been one of two states (Victoria being the other) that have been the driving force behind the sport of weightlifting in this country.

Officially the Association was formed in 1935 and it was known then as the NSW Amateur Weightlifters Association saw that name changed to the NSW Weightlifting Association (NSWWA). Over the years, like nineteen other Olympic sports, weightlifting was a minor sport.

In the early years the likes of people such as Jim Dovey, Brian Marsden and later on Joe Hensal were inspirations to young lifters within NSW. Australian weightlifting coming to the forefront during the late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with such weightlifters as Arthur Shannos, Gerald Hay, Maany Santos, George Vasil, Nick Voukalatos and Don Mitchell. Not neglecting to mention the officials of the likes of Lyn Jones, Don Simpson, Ralph Cashman and the late Bruce Walsh, all of whom were motivating factors for many years. Lifters like Michelle Kettner, Mehmet Yagci and Kiril Kounev in the recent 90’s have continued to inspire the young with their efforts on the competition platform. Coaching and administration personal such as Luke Borreggine, Kostas Valsamakis , Steve Tikkanen and Denise Lacey have ensured that the sport of weightlifting has flourish going into the new millennium.

In 1979 the NSW Government commenced assisting the Association with partial funding for the position of the Associations Executive Director and the means of establishing its first full time employee. Recently the Department of Sport and Recreation has been partially funding the position of the NSWWA Development Officer.

In 1982 the NSWWA adopted the NSW Schoolboy Clean and Jerk program, and later on in 1986 included women within the program to become what it is now known as the NSW Schoolboy/Girl Clean and Jerk Competition. Becoming a major recruitment factor within the NSWWA, incorporated within the National development program.

In the 1990’s we witnessed the inception of the NSW Academy of Sport until the NSW Government passes legislation forming the NSW Institute of Sport – of which NSW Weightlifting has benefited greatly from. As we drive into the new millennium.

2000 and beyond saw companies like DK Blue, Sydney Confidential and NSW Sport and Recreation become supporters of the NSW Weightlifting Association and it's lifters. NSWWA's Major sponsor is Top Nutrition.

The start of 2007 saw the  NSW Weightlifting head quarters and High Performance centre relocate to Sydney Olympic Park, Sports Centre. After 39 years at the Burwood PCYC where many lifters trained and became Olympians and Commonwealth Medallists the Burwood Weightlifting Club also moved to the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre and with that changed their name to the Titans Weightlifting Team.