Aspiring Illawarra surfers will be encouraged to pursue their passion for the sport in a supportive educational environment with a specialised Development Program beginning in 2015.

Illawarra Sports High as the only selective sports high school south of Sydney already run a Talented Sports and Development Program (TSDP) for students in rugby league, rugby union, netball, basketball, athletics, football and baseball.

Now, with Gerroa surfing star Fitzgibbons and former world surfing professional Mick Lowe as Pro Advisers, Illawarra students will have their own program to help them make it to the top in surfing.

Fitzgibbons launched the program at Illawarra Sports High and was happy to help the next generation of junior surfers follow her goal of becoming professional surfers.

The program is fully endorsed by Surfing NSW and will offer specialised weekly coaching during school hours from current WQS surfer Nick Squiers, from the Illawarra Surfing Academy.

With program spots in the program limited due to ratio requirements, a Talented Surfing Trial will be held on August 26 (from 10am) at Port Kembla Beach.

To book a spot for the trial, contact the school on 42711099 or go to the facebook page - Illawarra Sports High TSDP.

Meanwhile, students who take up the program will have video analysis of technique and strategy sessions plus access to local shaper Dylan Perese (DP Surfboards) for testing of different boards.

The program will include information on sports nutrition, advanced game/skill analysis and fitness testing through existing programs at Illawarra Sports High, in conjunction with the University of Wollongong.

It will also cover strength and conditioning available before and after school at the school's fully equipped gym, and provide other benefits such as participation in HPC camps.