Athlete development
Providing significant opportunities for talented athletes in regional WA.
Talent identification
Strategy
To identify talent and to compile and maintain a regional talent identification program and database.
Description
The identification and registration of talented athletes is considered a fundamental starting point in a sequential development program.
State Sporting Associations are encouraged to establish a formal process in the identification and record management of talent athletes. Initiatives in the assessment of talent could include on-field performance, and physiological testing. Initiatives in the area of record management could include: information technology, data collection and collation, database management, cohesion and streamlining.
Intensive training camps/clinics
Strategy
State Sporting Associations to deliver intensive training camps/clinics for selected talented athletes.
Description
Talented athletes in regional WA require access to training opportunities that will extend them physically and mentally. Initiatives such as camps that are structured with an intensity and complexity to extend the athlete and to allow them to respond to a higher level of sport are strongly encouraged. Depending on the sport itself, camps may be run in the region, or it may be more appropriate for individuals to access camps outside of the region.
Athlete training regimes and practices
Strategy
State sporting organisations to disseminate and deliver contemporary training regimes and practices.
Description
The saying 'practice makes perfect' is not altogether true. 'Perfect practice makes perfect', and to ensure athletes are receiving contemporary training practices and regimes, State Sporting Associations are encouraged to establish initiatives accordingly. It is intended that regional athletes receive the same training programs as their counterparts in the metropolitan area. Many of these initiatives will link in with those contained in the high-performance coaching objective.
Access to the sports sciences
Strategy
Regional athletes need an introduction to the sports sciences to refine their talents.
Description
In sport, cutting-edge advances are sometimes made through the knowledge found in the sport sciences. Talented regional athletes can benefit from the introduction to sports physiology, sports psychology, nutrition, biomechanics, and sports medicine. Sports are encouraged to develop opportunities for academy athletes to access these services.
Access to competition — quantity and quality
Strategy
Talented athletes to gain the exposure to, and experience from, competition commensurate with their ability and potential.
Description
Due to the geographic nature of Western Australia, regional athletes experience isolation not only from Perth but also within the regions themselves. The tyranny of distance adversely affects the quantity and quality of competition that athletes can access. It is recognised that regular access to a higher level of competition contributes significantly to an athlete reaching their potential.
Facility access
Strategy
Talented athletes to gain regular access to facilities suitable for skill development and improvement.
Description
In relation to sports facilities, two components are considered important. Firstly, that talented athletes gain full access to facilities to conduct their contemporary training programs. Secondly, that they gain exposure to, and have a familiarity with, those facilities that will be used at the next level of competition. Through a combination of these two factors an athlete shall be best prepared to compete on an equal basis at the next level of their sport.
Athlete career and education
Strategy
Provide advice and services in career and education for talented athletes.
Description
The development of an athlete from a holistic perspective is as equally important as from an athletic perspective. For a country athlete to be prepared for the realities of city life and the pressures of high-performance programs, they require additional life skills other than those learnt in the sports arena. It is with these skills that an athlete will have the greatest chance of retention in mainstream high-performance programs.
Athlete Assistance Program
Strategy
To provide financial assistance to regional athletes to access training, camps and competition opportunities.
Description
Regional athletes must travel extensively to attend training, competition and selection opportunities. Sports are encouraged to establish performance-based scholarships to reduce the cost burden on families. Initiatives that provide financial assistance tied to an annual training/competition schedule are desirable. The scholarship program maybe tiered or graded to reflect the different levels of athletic ability and support required.
Perth-based support services
Strategy
Assists regional athletes while in Perth in support of their sporting and personal wellbeing.
Description
Athletes relocating to Perth to access programs and services that are not available to them in their home environment require additional personal support. Support can be provided in many ways, for instance, family support, cultural support and transport.
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