SPORT PROGRAMS
Our position within the NSW Sporting Landscape
Sport Programs are the back bone of our operation as one of eleven Regional Academy's of Sport within the NSW Sporting landscape.
The Regional Academy's of Sport are recognised as holding a valuable place within the NSW Sporting landscape, providing a crucial and direct link from foundational to Pre-Elite athlete development.
The inclusion in this pathway, is clearly identified by the NSW Office of Sport, and identifies the Regional Academy network as one of the key delivery partners in the implementation of sport programs and high performance success in key areas of;
- Pathway Leadership
- Coaching
- Empowered Athletes
- Pathway Intelligence
- Competition, and
- Performance Environments
Because of this crucial step in the pathway, Regional Academy's operate primarily in the Talent identification section (T1-4) of the FTEM pathway. This is due primarily to our unique focus and ability to deliver varying aspects of an athlete’s lifecycle in a semi-elite and high-performance environment above the community sport level.
Compliance with this FTEM model framework allows Regional Academies to remain vital in the high-performance pathways of the State Sporting Organisations that support the Academy programs.
South West Sydney Academy of Sport 'Athlete Lifecycle'
The South West Sydney Academy of Sport services a number of sports in the South West Sydney Region through the support of state sporting organisations, sponsors and strong community connections.
Throughout 2022, the South West Sydney Academy of Sport identified five core components for the holistic development of a member of the Academy. These components form the foundation building blocks for the Academy's sport programs, and in turn, help to identify the South West Sydney Academy of Sport 'Athlete Lifecycle'.
Athletes enter the lifecycle from within our local community, via their respective local club or representative teams, or identified throughout their local school.
Selected athletes then experience each of the five core components of the lifecycle during their scholarship period and leave the Academy either as an athlete within their sports high-performance pathway, and/or return to their local community club, team or environment with enhanced leadership and life skills.
The Academy’s lifecycle as such, is focused not just on the athletic performance of a person, but their character, identity, and value as a community citizen.
Take the next step in your sporting journey, and access your high performance pathway by nominating for one of our sport programs.
Nominations
Are you ready to enter the Academy Lifecycle?
Athlete Selection Process
Athletes must first meet the following eligibility criteria for the sport they are nominating for;
- Age and/or Gender Specific Criteria
- Regional Eligibility i.e.
- Live within the LGA's of the Academy Catchment Area,
- Attend School within the LGA's of the Academy Catchment Area,
- Compete for a registered club (of the sport nominating for) within the LGA's of the Academy Catchment Area
Whilst the above policy exists and is adopted by all Regional Academies, it should be noted that all Regional Academies in principle agree that the primary method of eligibility into an Academy program is by an athletes Residential status, that being the address the athlete spends the "majority" of their calendar year, must be within an LGA of the Academy Catchment Area.
Criteria such as attending school or competing within a registered club within the LGA may only be used as an athletes primary eligibility where an athlete resides in an adjoining LGA, and one where a neighbouring Academy does not operate the same sporting program. In these circumstances, the neighbouring Academy must be consulted to determine the athletes eligibility.
Where a neighbouring Academy does operate a program, the athlete shall be advised that they must nominate and trial for the Academy where they meet the primary form of eligibility.
Athletes may not nominate and trial or be selected into multiple Academies.
Athletes can be selected into Academy Programs through two main methods.
- Sporting Trial, or
- Nomination, performance criteria and/or Interview
Trial dates, lengths, frequency and formats will be finalised with the Academy and publicised as a part of the nominations process.
Sports with an individual athlete focus are often selected based on nominations. These programs should as a part of their selection process, hold interviews for prospective athlete nominees.
Squad, team or position-based sport programs contain levels of subjectivity and as such, are often selected based on performance at trials.
Further information on the Athlete Selection and Validation process can be found in the Athlete Resources section of the website.
