In conjunction with the Regional Academies of Sport (RASi) network, the NSW Office of Sport Aboriginal Outcomes Team and partnership with UAA, the Academy conducts an annual Indigenous Talent Identification Day, which takes place throughout the second half of each year throughout the South West Sydney region.

The aim of this day is to provide Indigenous athletes from across the Academy catchment area the opportunity to be talent identified by undertaking education and activities that promote sport and movement skills (talent) within a high-performance environment, whilst sharing sport within their own Indigenous culture.

Athletes will participate in three core components of the day, being;

• Foundational Movement Skill and Talent Identification
• Fitness Testing for Potential Identification
• Cultural Sport Education - Introduction

The Academy is additionally supported by Western Sydney University, who provide assistance in providing fitness testing equipment, and interpretation of data utilising sport science students and professors.

Where: Minto Indoor Sports Centre, Minto
Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm

Who: Secondary-School aged Male and Female Indigenous, First Nation, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Athletes from the South West Sydney Academy of Sport Catchment areas, who live, attend school in or play sport in Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool or Wollondilly, the traditional land of the Dharawal people. 

What: Sport Talent Identification Day.

Cost: There is no cost  to attend this day for Indigenous students. Participation includes Lunch and an Indigenous-themed performance shirt, incorporating designs from Academy Indigenous Athletes 

How to be involved: Speak to your school sports teacher or school Indigenous Liaison Officer and ask them to complete the nomination form with you. 

What to Expect:

Athletes will take part in sport talent identification testing with Western Sydney University practitioners; as well as undertake Foundational Movement skill sessions under the direction of Academy and Guest coaching staff

Foundational Movement Skill and Talent Identification

• Multiple group and individual sporting skill assessment across a varied number of traditional sports including drill and match-play opportunities, and/or

• Introduction and identification of foundational movement skills through participation in traditional First Nation and Indigenous Games
  • Focus on key skills including;
    • passing / throwing
    • catching
    • evasion / change of direction
    • agility
    • speed / change of pace
    • tactical concepts in offence and defence

Athletes do not have to be playing competitive sport, nor be proficient in the sports above to be able to come along and participate. 

Athletes should attend in their school sports uniform.

Athletes will then be given an Academy Indigenous Day T-Shirt to wear throughout the event, which they get to keep following the day.  

Lunch will be provided by the Academy. 

What Happens After the Day?

Following on from the Indigenous Talent Identification Day, a number of athletes will be invited to participate within the Indigenous Athlete Talent  Program. These invitations are usually sent to the athlete and school liaison officer within two to three weeks (21 days) following the day. 

The Indigenous Athlete Talent Program will feature regular training sessions between October and January, that will assist athletes to develop core individual skills such as passing, catching, speed, agility and change of direction within a squad training environment, as well as access to a supervised strength and conditioning program, and Introduction to Sports Education. 

So what's it Cost? 

Due to the financial support of UAA, there are no costs associated with the Indigenous Talent Identification Day OR for athletes invited to participate within the Indigenous Athlete Talent Program.