Future Star Program

The Future Stars program of the South West Sydney Academy of Sport is a program for high-performing athletes; being athletes who achieve consistent and sustained performance at a State or National level; and who do not currently fit into a currently serviced sport/squad program within the Academy structure.

The program’s primary aim is to provide an athlete the additional benefits provided to Academy scholarship holders in the identified Academy Lifecycle, including sports education, sport science strength and conditioning, and access to additional athlete support and wellbeing services.

The program exists to compliment the athletes ongoing individual skill development and performance opportunities currently provided within their chosen sporting field, and with their individual coach or club.

The program is not intended as a monetary scholarship fund. Whilst components of the program may allow reimbursement or financial support for ongoing high-performance participation within the athlete’s sport, this should not be the sole goal, motivation or expectation of an athlete’s participation in the program.

Athletes will receive access to the Academy Athlete Services network; including Sports Education and Development, Strength and Conditioning and Sports Science Testing opportunities, the Academy health and wellbeing program, plus where possible, performance opportunities within the Regional Academy Network, as and when available.  

In consideration of meeting the Athlete Requirements, as budgets allow, athletes may be able to apply for financial support in the form of cost reimbursement to assist in their participation within their sporting program, in accordance with the criteria set out in the Future Stars Program Guidelines. 

It should however be noted that;

• New athletes are unable to claim for financial support during the first six months of the scholarship.
• Athletes will receive “credits” towards their financial support within the program year, commensurate with the level of participation and engagement as detailed in the athlete requirements. Each credit will have a financial value that will be added to the Athlete’s scholarship fund to be claimed for within the program year.

• Athletes must be aged between 12 and 21 years of age, in the year of nomination. 
  • ie for 2023 athletes, born 2002 - 2011

• Athletes must participate within a sport or recreation activity that has a recognised State or National Governing body, which has, or is in the process of establishing, a clearly defined athlete development pathway through to an International level, recognised by Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, or regular International Competition; and

• Have achieved a notable result at a State and/or National level within that sport in the twelve months prior to applying.

• Note: Sporting disciplines with pathways into International High School / Collegiate sporting systems, or similar opportunities, such as the NCAA, may also be considered, with additional supporting documentation relevant to a College showing interest in, the academic records of the athlete applying, and the ability to demonstrate that the undertaking of an Academy scholarship will assist with the athletes pathway into an International High School / Collegiate system.

Nominations for the 2023 Winter Intake will open 1 March 2023. 

Selections will take place based on information supplied as a part of the nomination form. Athletes may be requested to attend an interview.

Current Wests Future Star Athletes will need to attend an Induction Session on Wednesday November 23, and are required to attend the Academy Media & Athlete Development Day on Sunday December 4.  

General Information:

• The Future Stars program operates on a Summer (September) and Winter (March) intake period. Summer intake scholarships (athletes selected in August to December) are valid until 30 September of the year following. Winter intake scholarships (Athletes selected February to April) are valid until 30 March of the year following.  Athletes will not ordinarily be selected during May to July.

• Athletes may nominate for inclusion into the program at any time throughout the Calendar year, however athletes will only be selected and commence the program during the Intake periods detailed above.

• The Future Stars program may contain up to thirty (30) scholarship holders at any one time.

• Athletes who nominate may be asked to attend an interview as a part of the selection process. Not all athletes who nominate may be interviewed. The Academy reserves the right to reject any nomination with reason.

• Unsuccessful athletes will be advised in writing, and added to a nominations list for consideration during the next program intake.

• Successful athletes will be offered an athlete scholarship.

• Athletes who have concluded their scholarship must re-apply for re-selection for the Future Stars program on an annual basis, in line with their program end date. 

• To be eligible for re-selection, athletes must have demonstrated of compliance the athlete requirements and maintain eligibility.

Athlete Levy

• A program levy of $400 inclusive of GST, will be applicable to all successful athletes. 

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. 

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.

• Athletes are expected to provide at minimum, a monthly online check-in with the Academy, which shall provide the Academy updates on the athlete’s performance and development; including the provision of an up-to-date calendar of proposed competitions and events, training schedule, and results.  

• Athletes are expected to attend at minimum four (4) Education sessions/events within the Academy program. These may be completed alongside established Academy Sports program sessions, or as stand-alone Future Stars education sessions. The Academy will provide a calendar of these proposed sessions as soon as possible in the program, and athletes are to nominate their attendance as required. Failure to attend the required education sessions will result in the negation of any financial support, or scholarship funding.

• Athletes are expected to undertake a strength and conditioning program. The athlete must maintain this program for a minimum of 12 weeks throughout the program. Athletes who do not currently have a program will be connected with an Academy Strength and Conditioning partner and may include initial consultation/s and program setup and review. 
• Athletes who already are maintaining a strength and conditioning program relevant to their sport with an external provider or individual coach, shall provide a copy of the program, including details of the provider, to the Academy.
• Failure to undertake a strength and conditioning program may result in the negation of any financial support or scholarship funding.

• Athletes are to attend sport science testing / functional movement screening as a part of an Academy program on at least three occasions, throughout the calendar year.

• Athletes may be required to support the Academy’s Future Stars program corporate funding partner Wests League Club by, but not limited to; attending promotional opportunities on behalf of the Academy and the partner; if over the age of 18, undertake a membership of Wests League Club Campbelltown; feature in media and/or social media articles recognising the partnership.

2022-2023 Wests Future Stars Program Staff:

Squad Manager: Guy Creber
 

2022-2023 Wests Future Star Athletes: