SOFTBALL PROGRAM

The Academy’s Softball Program provides high performance training opportunities for talented young athletes in the Western Sydney region. In partnership with Softball NSW, the program provides opportunities for athletes in the areas of technical skill, education and personal development, preparing athletes for the next level of elite sport representation.

The Program includes specific skill components, testing and reporting procedures as set by Softball NSW. Together with competition opportunities, this assists athletes to further progress in the softball development pathway.

The Program comprises of technical development, athlete education, sports science, fitness elements and personal development opportunities for Academy scholarship holders. The Program aims to prepare athletes for progression to higher levels of individual performance and achievement, specifically selection into Junior State and National squads.

Nominations for the 2024/2025 Softball Program are now closed.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

The Academy’s Softball Program will provide development opportunities for talented young athletes in the Western Sydney region. In partnership with Softball NSW, the program provides opportunities for athletes in the areas of technical skill, strength & conditioning, education and personal development, preparing athletes for the next level of elite sport representation.
The Softball Program will provide opportunities for athletes to receive technical (coaching) support, practical and educational strength and conditioning knowledge across key topics such as nutrition, sports integrity, psychology, gratitude and empathy, cyber safety and sports injury management provided by the Academy.
Athletes will also receive personal development opportunities including media and corporate partner exposure, nominations for awards and Local Council events.
Provide fundamental individual and squad skill development sessions for athletes during representative off-season, and in-season maintenance programs, as a part of the Softball NSW High Performance Pathway program.
Prepare athletes for NSW High Performance trials and pathways, such as the NSW U16’s State Squads and Teams, and future NSW and/or National selection.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

The program provides access to pathway performance coaching, analysis of individual skill and development within a squad structure, sports science testing, and access to high performance strength and conditioning programs.

The Western Sydney Academy of Sport Softball program is closely aligned to the Softball NSW curriculum, and operates in conjunction with fellow Regional Academy of Sport Softball programs, and as such is designed to introduce athletes to the State and National high performance pathway.

Key performance opportunities will be selected to best suit the current development level of athletes, and may include events scheduled in conjunction with other NSW Regional Academies of Sport and/or camp-like training environments, such as the Regional Academy Games, interstate High Performance programs and/or visiting International programs, through camp-like training environments or performance tournament opportunities.

Athletes selected in the Softball Program will receive the following benefits:

High quality coaching in a squad / team environment.
Access to quality training facilities;
Strength & Conditioning assessment and programming;
Opportunity to represent the Academy at various events.
Access to Academy XPS communication portal;
Academy athlete uniform kit – additional cost.
A foundation in the technical and educational knowledge required to progress to the elite levels of Softball.
Opportunity to attend Academy events, nominate for media and partner awards/scholarships.
Opportunities to receive benefits from Academy partners Sydney West Sports Medicine and their Long Term Athlete Development Program.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the Academy 2025/25 Softball Program, athletes must be:

Aged between 13 – 16 in 2025 (born between 2009 – 2012);
Committed to progressing to higher representation within the sport of Softball;
A registered member of a Softball Club within the Western Sydney region;
Currently residing within the Local Government Areas of Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, Penrith or The Hills.

PROGRAM COSTS

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;

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, sport science testing, and access to athlete wellbeing and support service network providers.

Additional Fees / Levies

1. Uniform Costs

Specific to sport requirements, which athletes will need to purchase through the online store from the official uniform supplier, ACEIT. The required items will be identified upon receiving all athlete paperwork.

2. 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.
Eligible athletes who are selected to represent the Academy at the Regional Academy Games in Wagga Wagga in April 2024 will be required to pay a Games levy of between $350 and $400 (subject to sport requirements), which will be invoiced separately to the above Athlete Scholarship Levy.
Tournaments held locally (where the Academy does not provide Accommodation) may attract a nominal fee of approximately $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 14 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 or Academy Staff.