Australian Athletics is committed to providing support to athletes as they progress towards senior representation. There are a number of programs, supported by Australian Athletics and our partners, that aim to assist athletes on their progression through this pathway.
Australian Athletics (AA) Pathway Transition Program (PTP) is a program that supports Australian athletes who are demonstrating potential to achieve AA's HP Program goals and targets at Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games, but who are not yet categorised on AA's National Athlete Support Structure (NASS). The program provides performance support, planning assistance, and other developmental opportunities to athletes, with the strategic aim of bridging the gap between successful junior performance and medal winning performance at senior level. The focus will be in the Under-20 age group, however Under-23 athletes can be selected on a case-by-case basis.
Key performance services benefits for PTP athletes and coaches:
Sports Medicine
Sports Physiotherapy
Soft Tissue Therapy
Biomechanics
Sports Psychology
Sports Nutrition
Physiology
Strength and Conditioning
Other benefits include:
Athlete Well-being and Engagement Support
Travel assistance budget to support attendance at camps and key competitions
Coach development opportunities
A national PTP camp
In 2024 the Australian Athletics Target Talent program (TTP) aims to offer a flexible education model incorporating online Webinars and an associated Learning portal in conjunction with Practical Masterclasses in each state. TTP will aim to offer a greater environment for athletes to gain further knowledge to aid their performance development towards achieving higher performance standards.
The focus of the athlete engagement and education is a primary consideration in our pathway strategy and we aim to offer this through TTP.
The Target Talent Program will work in conjunction with two Masterclasses in each state (delivered by your local Member Association). These sessions will give you the opportunity to connect with some of Australia's High Performance Coaches and Athletes. Each masterclass will provide opportunities for professional growth and learning for both athletes and coaches.
To enquire about Masterclasses in your state, please contact your State TTP Lead:
| State | Name | Role | Organisation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIC | Tom Gamble | State Teams Manager & Performance Assistant | Athletics Victoria | tom.gamble@athsvic.org.au |
| VIC | Ben King | Performance Co-ordinator | Athletics Victoria | ben@athsvic.org.au |
| NSW | Nils Hestermann | General Manager - Performance and Pathways | Athletics NSW | Nils.Hestermann@nswathletics.org.au |
| QLD | Performance Pathways, Teams & Education Manager | QLD Athletics | QLD Athletics | shanen.layden@qldathletics.org.au |
| TAS | Brandon Clark | State Programs Officer | TAS Athletics | stateteammanager@tasathletics.org.au |
| SA | Kurt Olsen | Pathway Manager | Athletics SA | development@athleticssa.com.au |
| WA | Grant Ward | State Performance Adviser | WAIS | gward@wais.org.au |
| ACT | Samantha Brown | Participation Lead | Capital Athletics | participation@capitalathletics.org.au |
2025 dates to be listed soon.
Prior webinars are recorded and can be viewed through the Australian Athletics Learning Centre
A number of our Member Association partners have their own athlete support schemes, aimed at assisting developing athletes who have not been selected onto NASS. An example of this program is the SA Emerging Program.
Check with your State Athletics Association to see what may be available to you.
AA is also very keen to keep close contact with Australian athletes who are attending college or university in the US to support them in making the best decision for their future, as well as providing on-going support and communication for athletes already at college in the US.
To assist athletes in making a decision, we’ve put together a guide on Navigating the USA Collegiate System.
We also have the following video in which Adam Didyk and Sean Whipp discuss the NCAA system and application process.
If you’re considering attending college in the US and are happy for Athletics Australia to pass your details onto colleges, please fill out the NCAA Recruitment Availability Form below.
Once you decide to attend college in the US, and wish to keep in contact with Athletics Australia, please complete the NCAA Athlete Declaration Form below, which will give you access to the AA NCAA Facebook group.
Further information about NCAA recruitment and eligibility can be found below, as well as Information on the recruiting calendar.
If you have any questions around the college system, or are a college coach wishing to discuss athletes, please contact Adam Didyk at adam.didyk@athletics.org.au
Athletics International is an organisation set up to provide a forum through which former and current elite athletes can put something back into the sport. They provide social opportunities around major athletic events and milestones for you to cement or renew acquaintances, and support junior and emerging athletes with grants. If you have represented Australia at the highest level, won an Australian Open athletics championship, or held an Australian Open record you are probably eligible to join.
| Craig Pickering Athlete Pathways Manager Email: craig.pickering@athletics.org.au | Adam Didyk Pathways Transition Lead Email: adam.didyk@athletics.org.au | Steve Caddy Paralympic Pathways Lead Email: steve.caddy@athletics.org.au |
