Wests Future Stars

Program Summary

Program Season: October - September
Age Group: 12-21 Years of Age
Gender: Male and Female

Current Program Status:
2023-2024 Program In Progress
Nominations for 2024-2025 Open during August 2024

The Wests Future Stars program of the South West Sydney Academy of Sport is a program for high-performing athletes and para-athletes, from within an individual athlete focused, or emerging sport environment.

As a part of the NSWIS Pursu32+ RAS Talent Program, Regional Academies are targeting athletes within the NSWIS sport catalogue, including Archery, Athletics, Canoe, Cycling, Diving, Rowing, Sailing, Surfing, Swimming, Water Polo, Wheelchair Basketball, Winter Sports to participate in the Wests Future Stars Program.

In conjunction with the Paralympics Australia NSW Regional Academies of Sport Para-Sport Program, high-performing para-athletes are also encouraged to participate in the Wests Future Stars Para-Sport Program. 

Additionally, athletes in sports such as Skateboard, Cheerleading, Ice Hockey, Kart/Car Racing, Equestrian, and Lacrosse are invited to apply, as are athletes who may be participating in a team-sport not already serviced by an Academy sport program.

Prospective Athletes should familiarise themselves with the content below, as well as the Future Stars Program Guidelines prior to submitting a nomination. 

Program Objectives

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 for 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.

Athlete Benefits

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;

• Athletes must be financial, that is paid the Athlete Scholarship Levy to be able to access any financial support. 
• In order to show a commitment to the Academy and their performance, New athletes are unable to claim for financial support during the first six months of the scholarship, however after six months may claim for expenses dating back to the start date of their 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.
• All claims and reimbursements are discretionary and made on a case by case basis, relevant to the Future Stars Program Guidelines and program support funding. 

Athlete Eligibility

• Athletes must be aged between 12 and 21 years of age, in the year of nomination. 
  • ie for 2024-2025 athletes, born 2004 - 2013
• Athletes must reside in, or attend school, within the Academy area of Campbelltown, Camden, Liverpool or Wollondilly local Government areas.

• 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, or demonstrated potential to do so within the program year, or;

• Be an NSWIS athlete, or athlete identified meeting the NSWIS Talent Radar / Pursu32+ RAS Talent program criteria. 

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.

Selection Process

What to Expect:

Selections will take place based on information supplied as a part of the nomination form. Athletes will be requested to attend an interview, whether online or in person at the Academy office prior to selection. 

Selection Process:

• Athletes must complete a South West Sydney Academy of Sport Athlete Nomination Form prior to the advertised closing date. 
• Following the closing date, athletes will be advised if they are required to attend an interview, or complete a skills assessment.
• Prospective Athletes and their Parents must attend an online information session, which will be held via zoom at a date and time TBC (After the close of nominations, and prior to the interview process). Athletes and Parents will be sent the link to this session as soon as possible. 

• The Future Stars program operates on a September to August program year. 

• Athletes may nominate for inclusion into the program at any time throughout the Calendar year, however may only be offered a scholarship outside the July to September selection window, should a position be deemed available. 

• 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.

• At the conclusion of the nomination period, Unsuccessful athletes will be advised in writing.

• At the conclusion of the nomination period, Successful athletes will be offered an athlete scholarship.

• Returning Athletes who have concluded their scholarship must re-apply for re-selection for the Future Stars program on an annual basis. 

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

Athlete Scholarship Levy

• An Athlete Scholarship levy of $300 inclusive of GST, will apply to all successful athletes. 
• This levy assists in offsetting the program costs of;
  • Annual Athlete Membership including ID Card, Athlete Journal, 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

• 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. The cost of this is approx. $90. 
• New athletes will be provided a discount code to purchase an Academy tracksuit following receipt of payment of the Athlete Scholarship Levy. 
• Additional competition uniform costs exist, specific to sport requirements, which athletes will need to purchase. The required items, if not listed below, 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. 

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. 
• 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.

Athlete Requirements

• Athletes are expected to provide at minimum, a monthly online check-in, via an online form, as well as attending a monthly online zoom session 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 year.
  • 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 must advise of their attendance as required.
  • Failure to attend the required education sessions may 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 year.
  • Athletes who do not currently have a program will be connected with an Academy Strength and Conditioning partner that may include initial consultation/s and program setup and review. 
  • Athletes who are already 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 Future Stars Program Manager and/or 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 program year.
  • This data can be provided to 'home' or individual coaches, trainers, managers or State Sporting Organisation on written request, and may be shared anonymously with NSWIS to assist in their data capture and talent-identification processes. 

• 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,
  • Feature in media and/or social media articles recognising the partnership,
  • If over the age of 18, hold a valid membership of Wests League Club Campbelltown.

• A full training and performance schedule will be provided to successful athletes through the XPS Network online communication tool. 

Squad and Support Staff

2024-2025 Wests Future Stars Squad and Coaching Staff will be announced after the selection date. 

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