Regional Athlete Support Program

Background

The State Government has previously invested $3 million into talented athletes, coaches and officials in regional areas from 2021 through to 2023.

Objectives

The Regional Athlete Support Program is a statewide network supporting regional-based talented athletes and coaches which allows athletes to continue their development and progress along the athlete pathway from their home environment.

Key outcomes

• Support a high quality daily training environment for regional athletes in identified regions in conjunction with the State Sporting Associations and Regional Sporting Associations.
• Facilitate regional athletes' access to high quality coaching and sport specialist services.
• Support the access and participation in high level competition for talented regional athletes.
• To build sustainability of the Regional Talent Development Network through alignment and inclusion in the strategic planning of key regional stakeholders.

Guiding principles

• Each region’s talent development needs is identified by various means and verified by State Sporting Associations
• Stakeholders and local service providers who can be involved in supporting talent development in each region are identified and engaged.
• A region owned and sustainable entity is established to coordinate talent development.
• A regional talent development plan is developed.

Key result areas

• Support identified State Sporting Associations to develop and implement effective regional talent development operational plans and programs.
• Lead a coordinated approach to the development of a regional talent development system by engaging key internal and external stakeholders and expertise.
• Facilitate statewide, across industry regional talent development initiatives that add value to State Sporting Associations and regional talent development operational plans.
• Support individual athletes through the provision of high-quality training environments with a focus on holistic elements such as strength & conditioning, nutrition, psychology and education.

Key regional academy partners

• Mid West Academy of Sport
• Peel Regional Academy of Sports
• South West Academy of Sport
• Great Southern Academy of Sport

Talent development centres

• Broome Sports Association — Talent Development Centre
• Goldfields-Esperance District Recreation Association — Talent Development Centre
• Eastern Goldfields Sport Development Network
• Wheatbelt Talent Development Centre
• Pilbara Talent Development Centre
• Northern Swimming Academy
• Basketball — High Performance Regional Athlete Hub.

Regional Academies and Talent Development Centres