The South West Academy of Sport has opened the doors of its new office, signaling an exciting new era for the not-for-profit organisation.

With a growing reputation for developing champions on and off the field, the academy has secured a dedicated premise with the support of long-term sponsor The Apprentice and Traineeship Company.

The headquarters on Bunbury’s Spencer Street provides SWAS with the room to bring together its administration base with a dedicated workshop space for scholarship holders.

The Apprentice and Traineeship Company chief executive officer Stan Liaros said SWAS had grown since getting off the starting blocks and was now better located at a high-profile site.

“A premise like this actually reflects the importance of SWAS in the region,” Mr Liaros said.

“It’s a terrific move. It’s important for the growth of SWAS and its identity in the community.”

SWAS chief executive officer Bernice Butlion said the new office provided a central point for SWAS and its scholarship holders.

“Our athletes have a place to call home,” Ms Butlion said.

Internal painting of the new premises was sponsored by Michael Sherry Painting and Decorating. The business came on board as a new sponsor of SWAS this year because of a love of sport, in particular AFL.

Since 2008, SWAS has supported young sports men and women in the South West to pursue careers in sport, providing high-level support in the region that had previously only been available in the Perth metropolitan area.

SWAS has opened doors for athletes who have gone on to compete at the highest representative levels in sport including the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, as well as secure student-athlete scholarships in the US college system.