Program Summary

Program Season: October - April
Age Group: 13-15 Years of Age
Gender: Male and Female

Current Program Status:

Finalising Selection

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport implements high performance programs for talented young athletes from South West Sydney across a number of sports.

The Academy implements a Basketball program in association with the local associations, Basketball NSW and Regional Academies of Sport, provided by high performance coaching staff.

This program is targeted for athletes who are participating in the NSW Metro Junior League, NSW Country Southern Junior League, or Junior Premier League Representative competition.

Athletes participating within BNSW JPL, SPP and State Development programs are strongly encouraged to nominate.

Athletes participating in the UAA Basketball program will have the opportunity to be educated in, and compete within the NSW style of play and performance pathways.

Program Objectives

Create an environment where athletes can develop the necessary tactical, technical, physiological and psychological skill competencies to aid progression through their 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 BNSW High Performance Pathway programs. 

Compliment athletes local Representative team training and encourage athletes to be leaders within those teams.

Prepare athletes for NSW High Performance trials and pathways, such as the BNSW Metro DAP, SPP and HPP programs, and State squad trials.

Athlete Benefits

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport Basketball program mirrors those conducted by fellow Regional Academies, and as such is designed to introduce athletes to the State and National high performance pathway.

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.

And include training in the NSW Style of Play along with technical and tactical skill development.

The training program will include fundamental and pathway skill development and education, specific to Basketball.

The Strength and Conditioning program will include the Academy testing battery and strength and conditioning curriculum, as well as include the following sport-specific training elements, with relevant tests for each.

Key performance opportunities will be selected to best suit the current development level of athletes, and may include events scheduled in conjunction with other NSW Regional Academies of Sport and/or camp-like training environments.

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

Training and Performance Opportunities

• The Academy will conduct regular (Ideally Fortnightly) on-court training and education 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 in the lead up to the Regional Academy Games.

• Additional Academy education sessions and off-court development may take place following the conclusion of the "program year", with the program formally concluding at the Annual Athlete Graduation and Sport Awards Dinner, generally held in late July. These sessions may take place alongside athletes within the Sharp EIT Solutions 3x3 Basketball Program.

• The timing of 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.

• Athletes will be required to undertake a strength and conditioning program, including access to a supervised gym program throughout the period. These sessions may be conducted alongside athletes within the Sharp EIT Solutions 3x3 Basketball Program.

• The Academy intends to send athletes to participate in overnight Inter-Academy training camp/s as a key part of the athlete on-court training program.

• Training sessions will take place at indoor basketball stadiums within the Academy catchment area throughout the program.

• A full training and performance schedule is provided to successful athletes through the Lumin Network online communication tool.

Squad and Support Staff

2025-2026 UAA Basketball Coaching Staff 

Head Coach: Jeff Cooper
Assistant Coach: Paul DeFries, Peter Biela & Emily Paulic

Squad Manager: Sue Paulic

Athlete Eligibility

• Athletes must be between 13 and 15 years of age as of 31 December 2026.
  • Ie born 2011 - 2013
• Athletes must be a registered member of Basketball NSW.
• Athletes must reside in, or attend school, or compete for a Basketball NSW affiliated association within the Academy area of Campbelltown, Camden, Liverpool or Wollondilly local Government areas.

In Addition;

• Athletes should be, or intend to be competing in a recognised Junior Representative League competition affiliated with Basketball NSW in 2026. 
• Athletes who have nominated and been selected into the Basketball NSW SPP/HPP Program may be selected into the program as an alternate selection process. 

Selection Process

What to Expect:

The Basketball 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 complete a South West Sydney Academy of Sport Athlete Nomination Form prior to the advertised closing date. 
• Athletes must attend at all trial dates. 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 athletes across both Male and Female Genders within the Basketball program. 
• The Academy will select a squad. Consideration will be given to the ability to form a Male and Female team to compete at the Regional Academy Games, however, the forming of teams will not be the primary intent of the Basketball program. 
• 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 within fourteen (14) days of the the final trial.  

Athlete Scholarship Levy

• An Athlete Scholarship levy will apply to all successful athletes. 
• This levy assists in offsetting the program costs including,
  • Annual Athlete Membership 
  • Training and Development including training venue hire, sports equipment, skill development programming, and guest / coaching costs.
  • Strength and Conditioning, Education and Support Services including online access to AMS program Lumin, targeted sports education lectures and workshops with guest presenters, sport specific strength and conditioning program with an Academy Strength and Conditioning partner facility, sport science testing, and access to athlete wellbeing and support service network providers.

Additional Fees / Levies

Uniform Costs

• All uniform purchases are to be made via the Academy's uniform supplier ACEIT, utilising their online store. 
• New athletes will be required to purchase uniform consisting of at minimum, Athlete Polo Shirt, Walkout Shorts and Gym T-shirt. 
• Additional competition uniform costs may exist, specific to sport requirements. The required items will be identified at the sport program induction and may include items listed below. 
• Athletes may purchase additional Academy items, that includes Tracksuit, Hoodie, Socks, Towel, Sports Bag, Backpacks, and Active Wear. 

Camps, Tours and Tournaments

• Camps, Tours and Tournaments, including the Regional Academy Games, 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.