Softball Program

Question 1

Answer

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 Softball 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 NSW U16's State Squads and Teams, and future NSW and/or National selection.

Question 2

Answer

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 Softball program is closely aligned to the Softball NSW high performance curriculum, and operates in conjunction with fellow Regional Academy of Sport Softball 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, Softball NSW and Interstate High Performance programs, and/or visiting International programs, through camp-like training environments, or performance tournament opportunities.

Question 3

Q: Eligibility +

Answer

Athletes must be between 14 and 16 years of age as of 31 December 2023.
- ie born 2007 - 2009
Athletes must be a registered member of Softball NSW
Athletes must reside in, or attend school, or compete for a SNSW affiliated association within the Academy area of Campbelltown, Camden, Liverpool or Wollondilly local Government areas.

In addition;

Athletes who have been, or are selected into Softball NSW U16 and/or U18 State Squads are eligible to participate within parts of the SWSAS Academy Program, subject to the approval of Softball NSW.
Approval will be subject to the training load and commitments for the relevant State Squad program, however may include inclusion into the SWSAS Academy sports education, strength and conditioning, sport science testing and or athlete health and wellbeing programs.

Question 4

Q: Nominations +

Answer

Nominations for the 2022-2023 Squad open Friday 16 September 2022, and close 5pm Monday 17 October 2022.

A Trial will take place on Thursday 20 October, 2022 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Milton Park Softball Complex, Campbelltown.

The Trial will feature a number of skill and drill sessions, as well as short sided and/or modified games.

Depending on the number of nominations and trialists, a second trial may take place on Thursday 27 October at TBD.

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 16 Male and 16 Female athletes from the 14-16yr 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.
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, and may be required to attend the Academy Media Day on Sunday December 4.

Question 5

Q: Scholarship Levy +

Answer

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 camps and/or tours, 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 an Academy Branded Performance Shirt

RETURNING ATHLETES

Returning Athletes who require a new Performance Shirt 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.

Question 6

Q: Training +

Answer

SWSAS will conduct regular training sessions that will include individual and squad based skill development training between October 2022 and July 2023. A focus on team dynamics and both individual and team tactical development will take place towards the latter part of the program in the lead up to the Softball NSW International Friendship Series.

Regular training sessions will be aligned to avoid clashes with local club 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 scholarship period.

Training sessions will take place primarily at Softball association grounds throughout the South West Sydney region. Additional sessions will take place at the indoor training facility RBI, in Narellan. A full training and performance schedule will be provided to successful athletes through the TeamApp online communication tool.

Selected athletes will be required to participate, and lead drills at 'Come and Try' Days and/or Performance Clinics, hosted by the Academy at the local Association grounds throughout the program year.