Program Summary

Program Season: October - September
Age Group: 15-16 Years of Age
Gender: Female

Current Program Status: In Progress

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 Netball program in association with the local associations and Netball NSW, and is provided by high performance coach and mentor support staff.

This program is targeted for athletes who are participating within their respective association representative teams, state-age titles and championships, and aiming for selection within NSW Metro and Premier League teams, as well as future NSW and/or National squad and team selection. 

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, and in-season maintenance programs, as a part of the Netball NSW High Performance Pathway program. 

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

Prepare athletes for NSW High Performance trials and pathways, such as the Netball NSW Metro and/or Premier League,  NSW U17's State Squads and Teams, and future NSW and/or National selection. 

Athlete Benefits

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 Netball program is closely aligned to the Netball NSW high performance curriculum, and operates in conjunction with fellow Regional Academy of Sport Netball programs, and as such is designed to introduce athletes to the State and National high performance pathway. And include training in the NSW 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 events scheduled in conjunction with other NSW Regional Academies of Sport and/or camp-like training environments, such as the Regional Academy Games, Netball NSW HPP/RAS Camp, and the Regional Academy Challenge Tournament.

Training and Performance Opportunities

• The Academy will conduct regular on-court training and education sessions that will include individual and squad based fundamental skill development training in two program blocks, between October and April, and July to September. 
  • A focus on team dynamics and tactical skill development will take place towards the latter part of the program and in the lead up to the Regional Academy Games and Regional Academy Challenge.

• Additional Academy education sessions and off-field development may take place during the "program break (April - July)" or following the conclusion of the "program year". Athletes will attend the Annual Athlete Graduation and Sport Awards Dinner in the year of their program (ie prior to the conclusion of their program).

• 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. 

• Athletes will be required to undertake a strength and conditioning program, including access to a supervised gym program throughout the period. 

• Athletes will be required to attend a Netball NSW RAS/HPP Camp held at Netball Central. 

• Subject to the athletes commitment to the Academy, training performance and depth of squad, the Academy will send two (2) teams of twelve (12) to attend the ClubsNSW 'Your Local Club' Regional Academy Games Netball competition.  

• Subject to the athletes commitment to the Academy, training performance and depth of squad, the Academy will send two (2) teams of twelve (12) to attend the Regional Academy Challenge Netball tournament. 

• The Academy may send age appropriate team's to other tournaments, or conduct Development Camps/Challenges with other Regional Academy or high performance programs and invited teams throughout the program.

• Training sessions will take place at indoor training venues and Netball facilities throughout the South West Sydney Region.  A full training and performance schedule will be provided to successful athletes through the XPS Network online communication tool. 

Squad and Support Staff

2025-2026 Bingara Gorge Netball Squad

Zshatara BLACKWELL
Lola BROWN
Lily CLARKE
Ezaliyah DANIELSON
Shaylen FRETTON
Ella Gunther
Aya HAMMOUD
Isla JONES
Pippa KELLY
Hayley LAWS
Krisnorie MAMEA PEPA
Rayleena MATHEW
Nina MATTAR
Aaliyah Ngatai TEPANI
Sharlay PANTAZAKOS
Lodelle SCHUSTER TOFILAU
Zoe SHARPE
Annalise SMITH
Charli SMITH
Indie SMITH
Arijana STRICKLAND
Leilani TEUHEMA
Ella WEBSTER
Alira-Grace WOLSTENCROFT

Training Partners
Annabelle LONG
Sophie REDMAN
Aaliyah SIAKI
Jasmine SMITH
Alexis TREDOUX

2024-2025 Bingara Gorge Netball Coaching Staff

Head Coach - Aku King
Assistant Coaches - Tracey Connolly, Lauren Knussen
Apprentice Coaches - Katie Sills, Yvonne Williams
Managers - Teressa Savae, Jan Cleary

Athlete Eligibility

• Athletes must be Female and turning 15 or 16 years of age in 2026
  • ie born 2010 or 2011
• Athletes must be a registered member of Netball NSW
• Athletes must meet the Academy eligibility criteria. 
• Regional Academies accept, and therefore apply the Netball NSW determination that eligibility for a Regional Academy Netball program to solely be that of the LGA (residence) of the athlete. This is due to neighbouring LGA's falling within serviced RASi or NNSW provided pathway programs.
• Athletes shall therefore nominate and trial with the Academy that services their LGA. Which for the South West Sydney Academy of Sport is the Council boundaries of Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Wollondilly. 

Selection Process

What to Expect:

The Netball 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, and may be officiated by umpires trialling for the program. 

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. 

In 2026, a two-phase trial process will take place. 
Phase One will be an "Open" Trial. 
Following this trial, a number of athletes will be selected and invited to participate in an additional trial. 
Phase Two therefore will be an "Invitation Only" Trial. 

All athletes who have nominated, regardless if they are new or returning are required to attend the Phase One trial. 

Selection Process:

• Athletes must complete a South West Sydney Academy of Sport Athlete Nomination Form prior to the advertised closing date. 
• Athletes must attend the Phase One trial date. 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 an initial 24 x Female athletes from the 15-16yr age group.
• Subject to the depth at trials, an additional 4 x athletes may be selected as Training Partners.

• The Academy will select a squad. As such, there is no requirement to select based on filling certain playing positions. The forming of teams will not be the primary intent of the Netball 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 Programming, 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.