South West Academy of Sport

News

SWAS Hockey Program – Nominations Now Open

SWAS Hockey Program

Background

South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) has partnered with Hockey Victoria and sportDS to present the Westvic Hockey Academy; a program layout for an elite Hockey Academy for the regions’ aspiring players. The squad will ultimately consist of male and female athletes in the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 18 age groups.

The program will provide opportunities for young athletes to receive quality high-performance coaching over a prolonged period to best prepare them for representative honours at regional, state and national level. It will also provide opportunities for coaches to develop in a practical and open atmosphere that encourages personal growth.

Objectives

The Hockey Academy program will be a sustainable and high-quality development program that will prepare the regions’ top hockey players for the rigours of high-performance hockey.

This program will;

  • Identify regional athletes with the appropriate characteristics to play hockey at the highest level.
  • Expose top junior players in the region to quality technical coaching, strength & conditioning, and off-field athlete education to best prepare them for life as an elite athlete.
  • Offer mentorship and development to the region’s local coaches.
  • Provide the Westvic region with a dedicated, supported and sustainable Hockey Academy program.

Duration

The Westvic Hockey Academy will begin in October and run until March the following year with sessions held every second week, starting on October 27th in Warrnambool, at 9:45 am.

Group Skills & Training Sessions will be held on Sundays with the locations to be shared between Warrnambool, Ballarat & Hamilton.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Reside within the SWAS or Ballarat region; and
  • Be a registered member with Hockey Victoria; and
  • Aged 13 to 18 on or before 31 December 2020

Benefits to Athletes in the Westvic Hockey Academy

  • A committed ratio of 1 coach to 6 players, with all coaches under continual mentorship in the sportDS Coach Development Program (aside from specialist guest coaches).
  • 9 x fortnightly training sessions, to ensure maximal retention and opportunity to practice in an elite training environment under the eyes of top coaches
  • Technical development based on fundamental biomechanical principles
  • Video analysis at every session
  • Strength & Conditioning programs, support and advice for the full calendar year (October 2019 to September 2020) – with a take-home program and regular screening and testing to gauge improvement
  • SWAS uniform.
  • Components of nutritional education, communication skills, mindset training, meditation and mindfulness.
  • Stomp Goalkeeping subscription and training package for all goalkeepers, coordinated by Australian Goalkeeper Rachel Lynch.
  • Player Manuals for the collation of notes and written content
  • Ongoing monitoring and mentorship by sportDS coaches at Junior Country Championships and Junior State Championships each year.

Athlete Nominations close on October 13th at 5pm.
For more information, please contact Nic Kaiser at SWAS on (03) 5564 8567 or via email at swsportsacademy@swtafe.vic.edu.au.

SWAS Hockey – Program Information & Application Form

SWAS Seeks EOI for Board

SWAS has opened nominations for the SWAS Board of Directors.

We are seeking suitable highly skilled candidates for two director roles. Interested nominees should note that we are seeking one male director and two female directors.

Nominations close at 5 pm Tuesday 8 October 2019. The elections will be conducted at the 2019 SWAS Annual General Meeting, Sunday 13 October 3 pm at SW Tafe, Timor St Warrnambool.

SWAS has developed an EOI document to assist all candidates.

The SWAS board is particularly seeking individuals who have strong interest in developing sports and athletes or knowledge in the High performance or athlete development space.

Additionally and in line with the SWAS Strategic Plan, the board recognises the following areas as key skills which would provide the greatest benefit to the Board:  

1) Marketing, Communications and Public Relations

2) Human Resources and/or

3) Governance & Legal

SWAS encourages nominations from a diverse range of individuals.

Breaking Barriers for Women in Sport- Sportspersons Dinner

Breaking Barriers for Women in Sport

SWAS Presents a Sportspersons Dinner with Guest Speakers Carol Fox, Sarah Wall and Penny Smith.

Tickets and information: Contact SWAS 55648567

Friday 13th September, 6:00pm start

Flying Horse Upstairs Function Room.

Main course dinner included in ticket price.

Cost: $35 per individual / $300 for a table of 10 / $15 for 2019 SWAS Athletes

*If you would like to book a table please contact SWAS directly.*

 

Come along and hear from these three incredible women.

Carol Fox:

With over 40 years of activity in Australian Sport, Carol Fox has extensive experience from grassroots level to elite levels as an athlete, coach, manager, sports administrator, university lecturer, mentor and leadership workshop facilitator. Carol has worked with thousands of people in her roles as an Executive Coach, Conference Speaker and Facilitator in the Personal & Professional Development Industry collaborating with all levels of Sport, Government, Not for Profit and Corporate Clients teaching concepts from her book – “Confident Communication for Leaders”. A trailblazer in surf lifesaving, Carol was Victoria’s first female Surf Lifesaving Professional Lifeguard, and she also lobbied to race alongside men in surf lifesaving events due to the lack of opportunity for women at the time. Her Master’s thesis: “Women’s Perceived Barriers to Elite Coaching Positions in Australian Sport” was used by the Australian Sports Commission when determining policies for women in sport in the 90’s. As President / Chair of Women Sport Australia (WSA) since 2015, Carol and the board have contributed to the successful increased exposure of women in sport, advocating for equality in all areas.

Sarah Wall:

Sarah Wall is passionate about increasing opportunities for girls and women to play sport. As a Change Our Game ambassador Sarah provides expertise, inspiration and advice to increase female leadership and participation, and to break down barriers in gender equality, both on and off the playing arena. Sarah is the creator of NETFIT NETBALL, and has played netball at the elite level for 12 years, with the Melbourne Phoenix, Queensland Firebirds, Melbourne Vixens, the NSW Swifts and the 2017 season with Giants Netball. Sarah is a qualified teacher, studying Exercise Science and completing her Bachelor of Education at Melbourne University.

Penny Smith:

South West Academy of Sport Alumni, Penny Smith, has been shooting since her early teen years with one goal set firm in her mind – the Olympic Games. Penny has passion and ambition to push her limits and achieve her dreams. She was a worthy winner of Shooting Australia’s Female Shooter of the Year for 2017. In January this year Penny won both the Commonwealth and National Open Women’s titles at the Australian Clay target Association National Championships and in July this year she competed at the ISSF World Championships placing 16th in her individual event and 3rd in the mixed teams. On top of this Penny is a role model for young people in her community and the Victorian shooting community. She has been involved in coaching and leadership work with SWAS and has delivered a number of projects which help school age children in her sport. Penny lives by the Moto “Create the Dream”

Sponsorship Recognition – Westvic Staffing Solutions

Sponsorship Recognition

Today we would like to welcome Westvic Staffing Solutions as a valued partner for the 2019-2020 financial year.

Westvic Staffing Solutions, one of Victoria’s largest employers of apprentices and trainees, exist to facilitate and enable job creation and education for the communities in which they serve.  Westvic Staffing Solutions achieve this through the facilitation of general employment, apprenticeships, traineeships, training and personal growth and development.  Westvic Staffing Solutions enable these opportunities through core values of safety, excellence, innovation, integrity and community.

The South West Academy of Sport would like to say a big thank you to Westvic Staffing Solutions on providing this support not just for the academy but the community as a whole!

Australian Team Selection for SWAS Volleyball Player

South West Academy of Sport and Warrnambool Volleyball Association member Gabby Lougheed has been selected by Volleyball Australia to participate in the U21 Thailand National Volleyball Championships.

Selection for the Australian team has been a long process for Gabby. She has represented Warrnambool on a number of occasions and has represented Victoria three times at the annual Australian Junior Volleyball Championships. On each occasion, her team placed in the medal standings. In 2017 and 2018 she received MVP awards for her efforts. After last year’s Junior Championships Gabby was invited by national selectors to attend an Australian junior development camp in Churchill. Gabby joined 60 other junior volleyball players from around Australia for a week’s training with coaches from Volleyball Australia. From this group, 24 volleyball players were selected for the Australian Junior Women’s Thailand Development tour.

Gabby is excited about representing her country and participating in the sport she loves.

“I was really excited to get the invitation from Volleyball Australia. It took me a while to believe it. It’s an incredible opportunity to travel and play volleyball at a much higher level than I’m used to.”

“I’ve had a lot of support through the Warrnambool Volleyball Association and my state coach, Dave Berry. I have also recently joined South West Academy of Sport who are helping me further develop as an athlete.”

“I’ve made lots of friends through volleyball. It has helped me to develop my skills and confidence. I’m passionate about playing volleyball and am looking forward to representing Warrnambool and Australia.”

The tour to Thailand will take place between April 23rd and May 7th. The first week will involve training and team building before the championships start May 1st – 5th. The tour will expose the team to international volleyball and support the development of players. The international experience may continue late in the year with a possible attendance at the USA High-Performance Championships in Fort Lauderdale, 11-23 July.

Further Information & Photo opportunity

Paul Lougheed 0439 039 783

Youth Achiever of the Year Awards

The Warrnambool and Moyne Youth Achiever of the Year Awards were held last night at the Lighthouse Theatre. Many were recognized for their outstanding efforts and achievements.

A special congratulations to our 2019 SWAS Athletes Noah Best and Maddison Drake and 2018 athlete Emily Bartlett. 

-Noah was named the Warrnambool City Councils Male Sports Youth Achiever of the year. 

-Maddison Drake was named the Moyne Shire Councils Overall Runner Up Female. 

-Emily Bartlett was named the Moyne Shire Councils Female Sport Youth Achiever of the Year as well as the Moyne Shire Councils Female Overall Youth Achiever of the Year. 

Great to see these young leaders being recognized for their great efforts. Congratulations to everyone involved.