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PROGRAMS

Athletics Australia is committed to providing support to athletes as they progress towards senior representation. There are a number of programs, supported by Athletics Australia and our partners, that aim to assist athletes on their progression through this pathway.

PATHWAY TRANSITION PROGRAM

Athletics Australia's (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 AAs 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

PTP Selection Document

TARGET TALENT PROGRAM

In 2024 the Athletics Australia 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 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.

EDUCATION WEBINARS

Topic Webinar Date Presentation Presenter Register
Nutrition May 27, 2024 How to Perform at your Personal Best Bryce Anderson (Click Here)
Physiology June 17, 2024 Athlete Recovery Bryce Anderson (Click Here)
Sport Psychology July 15, 2024 Embracing the Moment Jacqui Sandland (Click Here)
Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement August 12, 2024 Balacing Education, Sport and Time Away from Home Belinda Creer (Click Here)
Injury Risk Reduction September 16, 2024 Injury Management Rob Mullard (Click Here)
Biomechanics October 14, 2024 Biomechanics in your DTE Tarryn Elvish & Kirstie Turner (Click Here)
Performance Planning November 11, 2024 Reviewing Performance Adam Didyk (Click Here)


To access the Online Learning Portal please access it through the Athletics Australia Learning Centre.

To enquire about Masterclasses in your state, please contact your State TTP Lead:

State Name Role Organisation Email
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 Louise Cranston Sport Manager Athletics NSW louise.cranston@nswathletics.org.au
QLD Shanen Layden Performance Pathways, Teams & Education Manager 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

NATIONAL ATHLETE SUPPORT STRUCTURE (NASS)

NASS is Athletics Australia’s system that supports Australian athletes with demonstrated potential to achieve AAs targets at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, and World Championships.

In general, NASS membership typically begins once an athlete finishes their membership at TTP level and is transitioning into the Open age group, but athletes can join the program at any time. The NASS program itself is serviced through the relevant member of the National Institute Network (NIN). Further information about NASS can be found here.

MEMBER ASSOCIATION SPECIFIC SCHEMES

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.