• Develop athletes to be competitive, with a fundamentally sound base.
• Provide fundamental individual and squad skill development sessions for athletes during representative off-season programs, in parallel to AFL Academy Pathway programs.
• Compliment athletes local Representative team training and encourage athletes to be leaders within those teams.
• Prepare athletes for High Performance / AFL Academy trials and pathways, such as the GWS Giants Academy. 

The program provides access to pathway performance coaching, analysis of individual skill and development within a squad structure, sports science testing, and access to high performance strength and conditioning programs.

A large range of athlete appropriate education workshops such as sport psychology, nutrition, drugs in sport awareness, public speaking, resilience, media training, sports medicine and injury prevention are also undertaken as a part of the regular training program.

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport AFLW program mirrors the Academy program structure of sports conducted by fellow Regional Academies, and as such is designed to introduce athletes to the State and National high performance pathways. And include training in the Style of Play along with technical and tactical skill development. 

Key performance opportunities will be selected to best suit the current development level of athletes, and may include camp and/or performance events scheduled in conjunction with other High Performance Centres and/or regional development programs.

• Athletes must be between 14 and 18 years of age as of 31 December 2023. 
  • ie born 2005 - 2009
• Athletes must be a registered member of AFL NSW/ACT
• Athletes must reside in, or attend school, or compete for an AFL affiliated association within the Academy area of Campbelltown, Camden, Liverpool or Wollondilly local Government areas.

In addition;

• Athletes who have nominated and been selected into various phase programs of the GWS Giants Academy are eligible to nominate for SWSAS, and may enter into the SWSAS Academy program at the conclusion of their GWS Giants Academy Program period. 

Nominations for the 2022-2023 Squad are open from Friday 16 September 2022, and close at 5pm Monday 24 October 2022. 

The AFLW Trial will take place on WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2022 at Thomas Hassall Anglican College, Middleton Grange from 6:00pm - 9:00pm

The AFLW Trial will feature a number of skill and drill components, followed by a series of short-sided or modified trial games. 

Selection Process:

• Athletes must nominate and attend the trial on Wednesday 26 October
• If an athlete is unable to attend a trial they must provide a reason in writing, prior to that trial to gain an exemption.  
• The Academy may select up to 30 Female athletes from the 14-18yr age group.
• The Academy will select a squad, not a team. As such, there is no requirement to select based on filling certain playing positions, nor age teams.
• Final selections, number of athletes and squad composition will be made dependant on the talent available during the trial process. 
• Successful athletes will be advised after the final trial, and will need to attend an Induction Session on Wednesday November 23, as well as the Academy Media Day on Sunday December 4.  

Athlete Levy

• A program levy of $400 inclusive of GST, will be applicable to all successful athletes. 

Additional Camp Levies

• Additional Camp levies may be applied for certain activities throughout the program year, including an overnight performance development camp in February 2023, will be communicated well ahead of the event. 

All Athlete levies must be paid in full within 30 days of the invoiced date, or the scholarship offer will be automatically withdrawn; unless arrangements have been made with the Board of Management.

UNIFORM

NEW ATHLETES

• New Athletes will be provided a full uniform including a walkout polo, walkout shorts, training (gym) t-shirt, tracksuit jacket and tracksuit pants. 
• New Athletes will also be provided Academy Branded AFLW playing shorts.

RETURNING ATHLETES

• Returning Athletes who require new AFLW playing shorts will be eligible for a discount off the purchase through the Academy's Official Uniform Supplier Aceit. 

Athletes who require any additional or replacement walkout, competition or optional uniform items (including hoodie, backpack, SWSAS socks, sportsbag etc) will be able to purchase these items through the Academy's Official Uniform Supplier Aceit.

• SWSAS will conduct regular training sessions that will include individual and squad based fundamental skill development training between October 2022 and April 2023. A focus on team dynamics and tactical skill development will take place towards the latter part of the program and as a part of the Performance Camp.

• Regular training sessions will be aligned to avoid clashes with the representative training and competition schedules of those clubs within the South West Sydney Academy of Sport catchment area, as much as possible. 

• Selected athletes will be required to undertake a strength and conditioning program, which may include access to a supervised gym program throughout the December - January holiday period. 

• The Academy may send age appropriate team's to tournaments, or conduct Development Camps/Challenges with other regional high performance programs or invited teams in early 2023.

• Training sessions will take place at Peter Miller Park, Casula on a Wednesday evening between November and April.  A full training and performance schedule will be provided to successful athletes through the TeamApp online communication tool. 

2022-2023 AFLW Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Ben Robinson
Assistant Coach: Adam Sheldon
Assistant Coach: Annalysse Stevens
Assistant Coach: George Hannaoui

Squad Manager: June Rhodes

2022-2023 AFLW Squad

Holley Alloggia
Susannah Cameron
Victoria Galualii 
Ava Hilton
Tarra Hine
Breanna Kelly
Chloe McEwan
Tia Neave
Alexis Paulo
Marley Rhodes
Addison Riley
Ayva Robinson
Bridget Saunders
Isabella Stead
Brea Trevitt