• Create an environment where athletes can develop the necessary tactical, technical, physiological and psychological skill competencies to aid progression through the sports Athlete high Performance Pathway.
• 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, encourage and develop 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 2024. 
  • ie born 2006 - 2010
• Athletes must be a registered and financial 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. 

What to Expect: 

The AFL Women's squad is selected based on the athletes performance at an open trial.

The trial will feature a number of skill and drill components, followed by a series of short-sided or modified trial games to assess the athletes skill and potential.

Elements of sport science testing and/or fitness assessment may be conducted as a part of the trial, however there is no required "pass mark" for these elements to be achieved. 

One or more trials may be conducted.

Selection Process:

• Athletes must nominate and attend one or more trial/s as listed. 
• Athletes must attend all trials. 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 held early in November.

• An Athlete Scholarship levy of $400 inclusive of GST, will apply to all successful athletes. 
• This levy assists in offsetting the program costs of;
  • Annual Athlete Membership including athlete uniform consisting of Academy Polo Shirt, Walkout Shorts and Gym T-shirt, Water Bottle, Athlete Journal and Annual Awards Dinner admission. 
  • Training and Development including training venue hire, sports equipment, skill development programming, and guest / coaching costs.
  • Education and Support Services including online access to programs / XPS network, targeted sports education lectures and workshops with guest presenters, sport specific strength and conditioning program with an Academy S&C partner facility, sport science testing, and access to athlete wellbeing and support service network providers.

Additional Fees / Levies

Uniform Costs

• Additional competition uniform costs exist, specific to sport requirements, which athletes will need to purchase through the online store from the official uniform supplier, Aceit. The required items will be identified at the sport program induction.
• Athletes may purchase additional Academy items, that includes Hoodie, Socks, Towel, Sports Bag, Backpacks, and Active Wear. 
• Athletes who are NEW to the Academy will be provided a tracksuit in their first year only. Athletes entering their third year or greater will be offered the purchase of a new tracksuit at half-price. 

Camps, Tours and Tournaments

• Camps, Tours and Tournaments form an important part of each sport program structure. The costs of these events, as with the overall sport program, are heavily subsidised by the Academy and its partners.
• Camp / Tour costs may be applied for certain activities throughout the program year and will be communicated well ahead of the event. These are generally costed at $100-$150 per day and include transport, accommodation and the majority of meal costs, as well as any entry fees associated with tournaments or performance elements of the camp / tour. 
• Eligible athletes who are selected to represent the Academy at the Regional Academy Games in Wagga Wagga in April 2024 will be required to pay a Games levy of between $300 and $450 (subject to sport requirements), which will be invoiced separately to the above Athlete Scholarship Levy.
• Tournaments held locally (where the Academy does not provide Accommodation) may attract a nominal fee of between $10 and $50 depending on the sport requirements, and are used to assist in covering the tournament entry, venue hire and any transport costs.

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

• SWSAS will conduct regular on-field training sessions that will include individual and squad based fundamental skill development training between October and April. A focus on team dynamics and tactical skill development will take place towards the latter part of the program and as a part of Performance Camp/s scheduled to take place throughout the program year.

• Additional Academy Education sessions and off-field development will take place between May and July each year, with the program concluding at the Annual Athlete Graduation and Sport Awards Dinner, generally held in late July. 

• 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, including access to a supervised gym program throughout the period. 

• The Academy will seek to send age appropriate team's to tournaments, or conduct Development Camps/Challenges with other regional high performance programs or invited teams throughout the period that do not clash with local representative club commitments.

• Training sessions will take place at AFL grounds within the South West Sydney Region throughout the program.  A full training and performance schedule will be provided to successful athletes through the XPS Network online communication tool. 

2023-2024 AFLW Coaching Staff

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

Squad Manager: Vacant

2023-2024 AFL Women's Squad