• Provide continued development, support and education to athletes who have "aged-out" of Academy Sport Programs, where evidence exists that an additional year will assist in the athlete meeting or exceeding their performance goals. 

• Provide continued development, support and education to athletes who have already gained success at a significant level higher than the objectives of the Academy Sport Program, yet who meet program eligibility, to participate within their desired program at a reduced financial and time commitment.

• Provide an opportunity for high-performing, former Academy Athletes to transition their skills into the coaching arena, whilst still competing as a high-performance athlete. 

Participants will be encouraged to communicate regularly with athletes and coaches, including mentoring younger athletes, to develop communication skills as a part of the athletes leadership development program.  

Participants will receive access to the athlete sport education program within their sport, as well as additional athlete leadership development opportunities such as Sponsorship Negotiation Skills and Media Training as an example. 

Participants will be included within their sport programs strength and conditioning program, and health and wellbeing support services within the Academy. 

Where opportunities exist, may participate in scrimmages, practice matches or Alumni teams within Sport Program training sessions or tournaments as provided by the Academy.

• The Athlete must be a Graduated Athlete from within the South West Sydney Academy of Sport program they are applying for, and be no older than 19 years of age as of 31 December 2024. 

OR:

• Be eligible, (that is, still meet the age and eligibility requirements of the sport program) and have Nominated to be selected in the Academy Sport Program.

In addition,

• The Athlete must have maintained a strong attendance record at both training and education sessions within the Academy. 
• The Athlete must have maintained a good financial record within the Academy. 
• Athletes who are age-eligible are required to show evidence of their participation in a higher-level of performance within that sport to be eligible for inclusion within this program. For example;
  • Professional or Semi-Professional sporting league, 
  • NSW State or National Team above the age level of the current sport program.

What to Expect:

Where the Athlete is a Graduate Athlete from within the Sport Program;

• Following the sport program conclusion, the Academy will discuss with the program coach and support staff on the suitability of Graduating Athletes to return to the program under the Graduate Athlete Program. 
• As a part of the following program period's nomination and selection process, the Academy will invite the athlete to participate within the program. 
• The invited athlete may be required to attend an interview. There is no obligation for the athlete to accept the position within the program, nor attend any trial or selection process. 

Where the Athlete is still age-eligible for the Sport Program (Competing at a higher-level);

• The athlete is expected to nominate for that sport program with the intent to participate in the selection process as normal.
• The athlete is then able to provide evidence of competing at a higher-level to the Academy, as well as an outline of their anticipated commitments to that program, (ie declare clashes) as well as availability to participate in Academy Activities. 
• Subject to this information being received, the Academy will discuss with the coach and support staff who will assist in the final selection decision.
• Should the athlete be selected into the Graduate Athlete Program, they will be advised whether they are required to attend a trial or interview, as well as any financial benefit or discount to their athlete scholarship levy. 

Graduate Athlete Program Discount:

Selected athletes within the program will receive a significant discount on both the Athlete Scholarship Levy and any additional fees and levies throughout the sport program year. 

The exact amount of this discount is made on a sport by sport basis, and subject to that program's funding. 

It is expected that the athletes commitment to the Academy program would allow participation within at minimum, the Education, Strength and Conditioning and Athlete Wellbeing and Support opportunities provided by the Academy. 

It is anticipated that the majority of athletes within this program would normally be undertaking their own skill development within a high-performance training environment, squad or team, therefore would most likely be unavailable for, and less likely to participate in regular Academy squad training. As such, general costs associated with the Training and Development aspect of the Athlete Scholarship Levy are most likely to be removed. 

Athlete Scholarship Levy

• 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.

• Participants within the program will be provided the opportunity to either train alongside the athletes, or assist with the coaching/training program presentation, within their specific sporting program

• Additional leadership training / education sessions designed specifically for Graduate Athletes will also take place at venues throughout the region.

• Participants within the program will be required to undertake a strength and conditioning program, in line with that of their specific sport program.

• Subject to availability and any applied eligibility or selection criteria, including permission from the relevant State Sporting Organisation, athletes may be eligible to be selected to represent the Academy in performance opportunities such as the ClubsNSW Regional Academy Games, Regional Academy Challenges, or other performance camps or opportunities. These Opportunities may however have a participation fee or levy applied.