Games gathering: Eleven academies of sport have gathering in Wollongong for the NSW Academy Games. The 1000+ competitors, their coaches, and support teams are captured in this panaroma shot at today's opening ceremony.

The NSW Academy Games are underway, with 11 academies of sport competing in seven sports across Wollongong and Shellharbour over the next three days.

“The ClubsNSW Academy Games is a significant sporting and community event that will bring many benefits to the Illawarra,” Illawarra Academy of Sport General Manager Carolyn Dews said.

“Participants are all representatives of Regional Academies of Sport throughout the state, so we’ll be seeing some future Australian champions in action.”