Building tomorrow’s sporting stars, today

Community First Bank is proud to support the Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS), continuing a long-standing partnership that has helped shape the region’s emerging sporting talent.

Through our merger with Illawarra Credit Union, we are delighted to continue as a major sponsor of IAS — a partnership that has been in place since 2009. Together, we’re committed to helping local athletes access world-class training, mentoring and development opportunities, empowering them to achieve their best both on and off the field.

Since its establishment in 1985, IAS has been a centre of excellence for the Illawarra region, supporting more than 8,000 promising athletes across a wide range of sports. The program has helped produce 23 Olympians and Paralympians, 20 Commonwealth Games representatives, 11 world champions and 75 senior national team athletes — a testament to its lasting impact on Australian sport.

Beyond financial support, our partnership extends to meaningful, hands-on initiatives. We’re proud to continue the popular Athlete of the Month program, alongside delivering financial education sessions designed to help athletes and their families build strong financial foundations for the future.

Anthony Perkiss, CEO of Community First Bank, reinforced the organisation’s commitment to the community:

“Partnering with IAS allows us to support athletes and their families while helping nurture the Illawarra region’s next generation of sporting talent. I’m very pleased to continue this important partnership under the Community First Bank brand.”

Salv Carmusciano, CEO of IAS, also welcomed the continuation of the partnership, highlighting the shared values of both organisations, including leadership, citizenship and trust.

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