WSAS Athletics Program Overview
The Western Sydney Academy of Sport Track and Field program aims to cater for athletes located in the Blacktown, Hawkesbury,Penrith and Blue Mountains council regions * who demonstrate potential in Track and Field. The emphasis is on identifying and supporting talented boys and girls who have displayed ability near the National performance standard for their age.

** Athletes from other neighbouring councils are invited to contact us.

The primary aims of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport are to
1. Increase the number of athletes competing at the Australian Underage and Open Championships from Western Sydney.
2. Increase the number of athletes representing Australia at World Youth , World Junior and Senior World Competitions from Western Sydney.
   
   

The Western Sydney Academy is part of a Talented Athlete Pathway structure that is Administered by NSW Department of Sport & Recreation and is partly funded by Western Sydney Local Government (Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Penrith and Hawkesbury Councils), Athletics New South Wales and is strongly endorsed by Athletics Australia.

Track and Field Program Objectives:

•  To support all athletes in their pursuit of excellence.
  
  
• To increase the number of athletes from the region to qualify for the World Junior (under 20) and World Youth (U18) Championships in Athletics. (For the Australian World Junior Team in 2000 we contributed 4 athletes out of the 12 from NSW)
  
  
• To develop the overall strength and conditioning qualities of athletes from the region. (past guests that have presented seminars for the Academy have been some of the best authorities in Australia)
  
  
• To provide each athlete and their personal coach with feedback on technique, skills, performance and attitude.
  
  
• To assist each athlete in making a successful transition to the State Junior Squad, World Junior Championship competition, the NSW Institute program and to the National Senior Team. (4 of our Athletes so far have been accepted as members into the NSWIS)
  
  
• To provide a training environment that focuses on quality and which supports challenge and achievement. (The athletes and coaches have benefited from the comraderie that develops from regular experiences of a bigger sphere of involvement in Athletics at Camps etc.)
  
  
• To support the development of track and field coaching across the region.(In 2001 we are launching a formal coach enrichment program, the WSAS Coaches Network)
  
  
• To promote track and field across the region.
(The Academy has been instrumental in influencing Local Government about the needs of Athletes and will continue to be the best vehicle in improving the quality of our resources in the region)
 

 What do we do?
The Academy arranges Development activities that supplement the Athletes individual training programs. They are planned in such a way so they should not interfere with the athletes training and racing programs.

Monthly Development activities - usually occur Saturday or Sunday afternoon. In many cases this has involved a theory presentation and an event group activity. At Blacktown Olympic Park this may involve the full range of training possibilities. There is a fantastic place for hill training and longer runs nearby. The practical part is an invaluable opportunity for the athletes and coaches in our area to do a training session with each other. Development activities are usually focused on the months May-Nov. In the main race season activities are very carefully chosen so that coaches,athletes and parents are not overloaded with a schedule that is too busy.

Special All Academy Activities- The Academy supports a large range of sports and arranges Full Academy activities eg Drugs in Sport Seminars and guest presentations by celebrities eg Herb Elliott.

Camps - Development Camps are planned and funded each year for the Talent Squad and occasionally we also hold camps for the whole Squad. These camps are an opportunity to learn and develop a large range of new skills for both athletes and coaches. In 2003 we will be taking the Talent Squad to the AIS.

Networking - The Academy will arrange networks of Coaches and athletes that can train together as often as suits their programs for the greater benefit of all of involved.

Recognition - We have a yearly presentation evening where we have a guest speaker and conduct a presentation that recognizes all the athletes achievements throughout the year in front of the coaches, athletes, friends,family and other community members.

Profile - We also have a distinctive WSAS Uniform that includes a Track-suit, Shorts, Collared Shirt and Training Shirt. Athletes can also purchase WSAS Backpacks and Training Bags.

But what about the Academy poaching athletes from coaches?
The Academy is an organisation that plans to enhance coach education and provide greater support for the athletes of Western Sydney. The most common reason athletes usually have to leave their coach is that they believe they have outgrown their coaches experience and/or they are lacking a support network of athletes and friends.

Serious coaches must be involved in support networks so that they can grow and learn what is required to coach Senior National and International Level Athletes. The top Coaches in Australia are usually the most active in communicating with other coaches and have developed relationships that allow athletes from different squads to train together occasionally. The Academy provides this opportunity for the athletes of Western Sydney.

We totally support the committed Coach with their Athletes. Coaches are expected to be involved in our activities with their athletes. The Academy is the best way for any serious Western Sydney coach to rapidly learn what is required. We have a large range of resources to share and are very keen to assist other coaches in their development.

When the Academy functions really well it will create a situation where Western Sydney Coaches will freely pass athletes on to Coaches that are clearly more suitable. Having the desire to do what is best for the athlete is critical for all coaches. eg A 100/200m Sprints coach identifies that someone should be in the 800m. or a High Jumper that is better suited to the 400 hurdles.

Eligibility

The Academy in 2003/4 there will be 5 groups of members

Talent Squad, Development Squad, Associate Squad, Senior Associates and Network Coaches.


1. The Talent Squad is comprized athletes that have qualified on a performance basis that indicates they are on the path to possible representation at World Youth, World Junior and/or World University Championships.

The Academy Talent Squad aims to assist athletes to qualify for the New South Wales Institute of Sport Athletics Program.

Athletes who qualify for the Talent Squad can be added at any time throughout the year when they reach the standard in a recognized meet.

In 2003 there will be Camp to the AIS just for Talent Squad members. This camp is usually fully funded by the WSAS.

Academy Talent Squad Standards
– Note - For Talent qualification Athletes need to be under the Age on the Day of the qualifying competition.

All performances must be verifiable.

* In some events times need to use electronic timing and have legal wind readings.



Women U17 ,U18 ,U19/Senior ,World Junior Qualifying 100m* 12.56 12.35 12.14 11.84 200m* 25.64 25.16 25.08 24.44 400m 58.31 57.05 56.24 54.64 800m 2:16.0 2:13.0 2:10.0 2:07.0 1500m 4:39.9 4:33.5 4:27.0 4:24.0 3000m 10:04.1 9:49.8 9:47.0 9:35.0 5000m 17:26 17:01 16:36 3000mSt 10:59 10:42 10:26 100mH 14.89 14.57 14.48 14.24 400mH 64.19 62.64 61.10 60.04 High Jump 1.64 1.68 1.73 1.82 Pole Vault 2.50 2.80 3.00 3.85 Long Jump 5.61 5.79 5.98 6.15 Triple Jump 11.62 12.00 12.41 12.90 10km W 51:00 Heptathlon 4392 4673 4967 5275 Men U17 ,U18 ,U19/Senior ,World Juniors Qualifying 100m* 11.18 11.03 10.98 10.74 200m* 22.49 22.17 21.83 21.54 400m 50.08 49.23 48.38 48.00 800m 1:56.5 1:54.5 1:52.5 1:50.0 1500m 3:58.5 3:54.2 3:50.0 3:48.0 3000m 8:31.5 8:22.1 8:12.6 - 5000m 14:45 14:29 14:20 14:20.0 3000mSt 9:26.3 9:14.3 9:10 9:10.0 110mH - - - 14.74 400mH 55.74 54.57 53.40 52.94 High Jump 1.99 2.04 2.09 2.14 Pole Vault 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.10 Long Jump 7.01 7.19 7.39 7.50 Triple Jump 14.62 15.01 15.42 15.50 10000mW 44:30 Decathlon 6000 6200 6600 6875

 

Athletes can also qualify by winning a medal in any of the above listed events at the Australian Youth U18, Australian Junior U20, Australian All-Schools U18, U20 or Australian Race Walks or Australian XC events in a minimum of an U17 age group event.

All other events will be assessed on Merit on a case by case basis. The above events are all now very similar in quality across events. They were compared using the Mercier Points Score Table.

We are committed to making sure Senior Athletes who have already been members of the WSAS Talent Squad are retained in the sport and progress to reach their potential. These athletes will continue to be full members of the program as long as they continue to perform at a level that exceeds the U19 Talent Squad standards.

2. The Development Squad is comprized of athletes who are competing in the  U16 , U18 and U20 age groups. AA follows the IAAF age ruling that the age is taken as the age the athlete turns that year. eg In 2003 U16 are born 1988 or later, U18 born 1986 or later, U20 born 1984 or later.

Performances need to be in legal conditions in a certified meet.

Athletes need to qualify based on the Athletics Australia Standards in either U16, U18 , U20 or Open. (The U14 Standard is not accepted for entry into the Development Squad) The standards are outlined below

Female AA National Standards

Male AA National Standards

All athletes will need to reach the above standards in the period September 1st 2002 to the present date (See Associate Squad information if the athlete has not reached this standard yet)

Current Scholarship holders that have reached the above standards will need in addition to have shown a strong commitment to the Academy Program in 2002 and to their own Training to be offered a scholarship in 2003/2004.

Other considerations include potential to improve and attitude.

The next round of activities will be starting in Aug, 2003.

3. The Associate Squad (Talent ID)

There will be a limited number of Associate Scholarships offered to athletes that are Talent identified. Some of these athletes may be younger than the rest of the squad and show great potential. Achievements that will help with their application are if they have won a medal at the State Little Athletics or have been talent identified by the Academy in a Development Meeting or from attendance at a Talent Identication Day.

Athletes that want to apply for the Associate Squad need to contact Steve Bennett to setup a Development meeting. In this meeting the athlete will participate in an informal training session where the athlete will be assessed and information given to the coach/athlete/parents that may help with the athletes development. The athlete may be allocated a place in the next intake or will be allocated goals to achieve to qualify.

Find out about the next opportunity for a Development meeting by contacting Register your interest in the WSAS Development Squad All athletes should register their interest with us regardless of their standard or age. Then we will have your information on file and can monitor your progress regardless of your age. The Academy is happy to assist all keen athletes from our region to reach their potential and this includes assisting people to qualify for our program. Some activities we arrange we offer to all regional athletes that we have on our database. In the past this has happened when we have had special visits by Herb Elliott, Matt Shirvington, Staffan Strand (Swedish Olympic High Jumper) etc.

The next round of activities will be starting in Aug 2003.

4. The Senior Associates

Senior Athletes who exceed the U19 Talent Squad standards are welcome to register as Senior Associates and attend most Academy Activities. It is expected that they will be mentors for some of the younger athletes.

The Academy has a strong interest in helping Talented Seniors from the region to improve and qualify for involvement with the New South Wales Institute of Sport Program in addition to ours. Many of our guests and activities would be of great benefit to athletes at Senior National Standard and their coaches.

. The next round of activities will be starting during Aug 2003.

5. The Coaches involved in the Academy Coaches Network

This year for the first time we are launching a formal coach enrichment program. The Western Sydney Academy of Sport Coaches Network aims to provide the following opportunities and benefits:

- Involvement with a group of enthusiastic Coaches in your event group. This is a great way to learn and share ideas.
- Access to a wide range Educational Resources for Coaches.
- Introduction to Level 3 Senior Coaches in your Event Group from the Sydney Region that you can communicate with for support.
- Educational Seminars on Topics related to your event group. Some will be with the Academy athletes and some just for Coaches.
- Support with the advancement of your formal accreditation with the ATFCA.
- an increase in professional opportunities with non-Track & Field sporting groups that may be established be secured by Coaches Network promotion.
- A unified Western Sydney voice from coaches that can benefit our athletes.

We are happy to provide mentors for all coaches regardless of your level of experience.

. The next round of activities will be starting during Aug 2003.