2013-14 WAIS SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIPS

  1. Scholarship Classification

All WAIS athletes will be classified into four scholarship categories according to their current performance standardand against a capability framework. A schedule of benefits will be defined and offered as per their scholarship categorisation. These categories are generically defined as follows:

Category / Description
World Class Athlete / Internationalsenior competitor who achieves a rank of 1-8 in an individual athlete or relay event at the International Benchmark competition
International Class Athlete / Member of the National Team at the Senior International benchmark competition
Developing International Athlete / Athlete with the capability to achieve at least international class athlete status within 1-3 years (based on specific criteria in Appendix 1 & 2)
Potential International Athlete / Athlete with the capability to achieve at least international class athlete status within 4-7 years(based on specific criteria in Appendix 1 & 2)

It is anticipated that following the 2013 World Championships a national revision of the World Class performance standards will occur and therefore reclassification may be required at this time.

WAIS SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA and SELECTION PROCESS

1.1 Eligibility

Swimmers must be:

  • Australian citizens
  • There is an expectation that swimmers with dual passports have an intent to represent Australia in line with WAIS Program Objective KPI 1
  • If a WAIS scholarship holder chooses to swim for another country this would deem them ineligible to continue on a WAIS scholarship

1.2 Criteria:

Selection is based on the following Criteria:

  • Athlete performance:assessed against the criteria in Appendix 1
  • The athlete’s Potential to Progress:assessed against the criteria inAppendix 2

1.3 Special Circumstances

The Selection Panel may consider:

  • an athlete for a WAIS Scholarship or support if he/she were unable to compete at the selection event due to illness or injury using performances after 1 December 2012 at metropolitan/country championships or state championships (in any state).
  • Athletes who are relocating from interstate SIS/SAS programs

2.0 Selection Process

2.1 Targeted Athletes

  • WAIS will advise identified swimmers and their coaches they have met the performance criteria for a WAIS scholarship and provide the swimmer with a WAIS Scholarship Application Form
  • The coach to compile information on the athlete’s potential to progress factors.

2.2 Selection Panel

  • The panel members will be the National Head Coach, WAIS Swimming Performance Manager and representative of SWA.

2.3 The Panel Process

  • The selection panel will review the information supplied by the coach against the criteria. An Athlete Planning template will be provided for the coach to use in their athlete presentation.
  • All coachesof athletes applying will be able to attend the selection panel meeting to:
  • present evidence supporting their athlete’s application
  • listen to the presentations on all athletes
  • The selection panel will make recommendations on scholarshipsfor approval by the WAIS Executive Director.
  • The Swimming Performance Manager will advise athletes on the status of their application

3.0 Confirmation Process

  • The swimmer has one month to complete and return all required documentation and processes
  • The coach and athlete will meet with the WAIS Swimming Performance Team and Swimming Performance Manager to present and discuss the Athlete Performance Enhancement Plan (APEP)

4.0 Induction

  • Following selection WAIS will conduct an Athlete Induction session outlining the various WAIS policies, athlete services and financial support.

SELECTION CRITERIA 2013-14

General:Information gathered over two criteria will be considered by the panel
Performance – Potential to Progress

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Scholarship Qualifying Events

Performances will be considered at the following events only:

  • 2012 Olympic Games
  • 2012 Paralympic Games
  • Australian Open Water ChampionshipsFebruary 8-10 2013
  • Australian Open Swimming Championships April 26-May 3 2013
  • Australian Age Long Course Championships April 8-13 2013

Only times in Olympic or Paralympic events will qualify an athlete for a WAIS scholarship, and the performance must be in a stand alone individual Olympic/Paralympic event and not a relay event other than at the Olympic or Paralympic Games

Olympic events
Freestyle – 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m (women only) and 1500m (men only)
Backstroke – 100m and 200m
Breaststroke – 100m and 200m
Butterfly – 100m and 200m
Individual Medley – 200m and 400m
Open Water - 10km *

* Note: maximum of 4 open water scholarships offered

APPENDIX 1: PERFORMANCE FACTORS

WAIS World Class Scholarship

  • Top 8 in the World at the 2012 Olympic Games in an individual or relay event
  • Top 8 Paralympic…..

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WAIS International Class

  • Member of the Australian 2013 World Championship Team
  • Member of the Australian APC 2013 World Championship Team

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WAIS Developing International

  • Able Bodied Pool: ranked 17-25 in the World based on 2012 FINA 2 per nation rankings
  • Multi Class: ranked 6-8 in the world based on 2012 IPC Swimming world rankings or selected in the Australia A MC international team
  • Open Water: 3rd placed Australian at the 10km Open Water Championships in 2013 if finishing within 30 seconds of the 2ndplaced Australian

Females 19yrs or older and Males 21yrs or Older at 26th April 2013

  • Finalist in an Olympic event during the Australian Championships; or
  • For 100m & 200m Freestyle events:
  • Male: Top 12 and 825+ FPS
  • Females: Top 12 and 850+ FPS

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WAIS Potential International

Females 18yrs or under and Males 20yrs or under at 26th April 2013

  • Medallist in an Individual Olympic event at the 2013 Australian Championships; or
  • Be the 1st eligible finisher in an Olympic event at the Australian Age Championships in 2013 or
  • Athletes selected as part of the 2013 World junior Championship Team provided they meet the age criteria above
  • Paralympic: N/A
  • Open Water: if the 4 scholarship places are not filled the remaining places may be offered to athletes who finish Top 5 in the 10km event at the Australian Open Championships in 2013 and within 1 minutes of the 3rd placed Australian

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Note on Open Water: the 4 scholarships do not have to be gender balanced. Any mix of male/female is appropriate if the athletes qualify according to the criteria.

APPENDIX 2: POTENTIAL TO PROGRESS FACTORS

Introduction: The role of WAIS is to add value to the DTE to support athletes who have the talent, motivation and commitment to progress to be successful athletes at the International level.

Non-Performance based information provided by the coach will enable the selection panel to gain a broader view around the athlete’s capability to progress to International competition. It assists the coach to identify and clarify the key issues where intervention and well planned strategies could make a difference to performance outcomes. This information also forms part of the Athlete Performance Enhancement Plan (APEP)

The following factors are a guide to information the panel may use to assess and athlete’s potential to achieve International representation.

3.1 For current scholarship holders these factors are assessed by:

  • Sport psychology surveys
  • Musculo-Skeletal assessment
  • Body composition via anthropometry and/or DXA scans
  • Performance history

3.2 For new scholarship holders these factors are:

  • Sport psychology surveys (conducted by WAIS as part of application process)
  • Musculo skeletal screening (conducted by WAIS as part of application process)
  • body composition assessment (conducted by WAIS as part of application process)
  • Home coach assessment on attendance, Coachability and commitment
  • Any data previously collected such as Wet Plate, race analysis at national championships and video footage
  • Performance history

APPENDIX 3: ATHLETE SUPPORT

ATHLETE PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT PLAN

Athlete Support

Support is determined by the athlete’s needs and is prioritised according to Scholarship Tier.

Athlete needs are determined through an approved planning process in which the coach, athlete and WAIS collaborate closely to determine the areas where support will contribute to enhanced performance. This is an evidence-based approach that ensures resources are targeted appropriately and efficiently.

Athlete Planning and Coach Engagement

WAIS internal reporting processes require a commitment from the coach to ensure the best possible support by WAIS and best possible outcomes for the athlete.

This commitment includes:

  • A documented and planned approach to agreed athlete targets
  • A willingness to engage with the WAIS Performance Enhancement Team (PET) incorporating regular meetings/conversations with internal and external WAIS service providers following program visits, one on one sessions at Challenge and Time Trials as outlined in the agreed athlete plan
  • Participate in monthly reviews with the WAIS Performance Enhancement Teamto review athlete performance and training outcomes toward agreed athlete plan
  • Open to feedback from the WAIS Performance Team
  • Seeks advice from experts including WAIS sports science staff, SAL, SWA and other coaches

These above factors form the basis of an understanding between the coach and WAIS that underlines the WAIS Performance Driven philosophy.