Rob Ward is leaving the role after more than seven years to join Triathlon Victoria as club and programs manager.

Ward oversaw five sport programs when he joined the academy, which covered from the Ballarat region to the South Australian border.

He said the academy now had 10 sport programs, as well as assisting a large group of individually-supported athletes.

Ward said this growth had coincided with an exponential increase in FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport supported athletes achieving on state, national and international stages.

He said the expansion of a support network among service providers, schools, facilities and business expertise, ensuring best practice for athlete services and business operations, had been a highlight of his tenure.

Ward said the growth of placement opportunities to FedUni sport science and management students had also been encouraging.

“We have set records in our core business of athlete achievement and service delivery each year since 2014, enjoy a great reputation and awareness in the wider community.”

Academy chairman Chris Gleeson said Ward’s new position was testimony to his hard work and positive contributions to the organisation.

“Rob's most significant contribution has been that of the time and genuine care for the athletes and the programs and he leaves the academy in a much better place then what he found it.

“While supported by a small number of dedicated staff, Rob has grown the academy single handily over the past seven years.  We look forward to building on his legacy,” Gleeson said.