With strong family links to triathlon, Skye Bell is tackling physical and mental challenges every day to achieve her sporting dreams. These include competing in the Olympics and future Iron Man championships.

Skye, 15, has been at the Illawarra Academy of Sports (IAS) for four years. Like many athletes, she started out trying many different sports – from surf club to netball to dancing – but she was drawn to triathlon because of her family's connection to the sport.

“I did my first triathlon when I was four because my dad did triathlons,” Skye said.

“He won the world championships in his age for Iron Man.

“So, I've just been doing it for as long as I can remember, because that's just what everyone in our family has done.”

As she grew older, Skye decided to focus more seriously on triathlon, a multi-discipline sport involving swimming, cycling and running, rather than surf life saving.

“I just thought, this is more fun because it's more diverse, three sports in one,” Skye said.

“It's a very adaptive sport, you have to be very on your toes because anything can change in a split-second.

“You're always pushing yourself as hard as you can, which is what I find keeps me hooked and interested.”

When it came time to elevate her game to the next level, she decided the IAS was the path for it. Skye loves the educational side of the school, with plenty of webinars tailored to make her a more professional athlete.

“We do online webinars, which helps me be a better athlete by doing media training as well as educational things about how to cook and how to eat as an athlete and how to manage your stress and workload,” Skye said.

“I think it has been very beneficial to help me improve as an athlete.”

However, her strong family ties with the school were instrumental in convincing her to enrol at the academy: her older sister, Alexis, attended the school as a triathlete, and her dad, Ben Bell, works at the school as the triathlon coach. Ben received the 2022-23 IAS Coaching Leadership and Excellence Award.

“My older sister was in the IAS, and my dad's the coach, so I've always known the pathways of the IAS and how it's beneficial,” Skye said.

Skye has achieved remarkable success, finishing first overall in the NSW Billigence Pathway series, first overall for the IAS at Your Local Academy Games, and placing second at the National Youth Championships (in the individual and mixed team relay) and second in the NSW State Championships.

“I won the New South Wales Billigence Pathway series, which was a big achievement,” Skye said.

“It's got all the best triathletes in the state, which I was really proud of.”

Following her time at the IAS, Skye plans to build her triathlon career, with dreams of the Olympics, Iron Man titles, World Cup races and even a potential move into short-course racing.

“Probably the long-term goal is for me to be a professional and be able to live off the sport I love most."

Skye is now looking forward to the 2024 World Triathlon Cup in Wollongong on April 20 and 21. Eager to gauge her skills against top athletes, she aims to showcase her skills and talent in the multi-discipline sport.

“They put on a younger kids race, which is a good opportunity for me to test my abilities against kids all over Australia,” Skye said.

“I'm just hoping to get a good result and to be proud of myself.”

With a long career potentially ahead, Skye is appreciative of the IAS setting her on the right path.

“The IAS is a really great opportunity, and it helps me improve in so many ways, and I'm really grateful for them.”