Program Description

Background

The NTC WAIS Women's Football Program ("the Program") is primarily for the individualised development and support of WA athletes in National Programs (Senior, Development and Junior Squads). It is also allows for the individualised development of WA athletes who have the potential to be selected in future National Squads.

The Program provides world-class coaching, training, facilities and support services to improve all areas of each athlete's development and performance.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the Program are:

Maximise WA representation in National Squads and National Teams;
Maximise the WA contribution to Australian World-Class performances

Program Timeframe

The Program will commence on 1st January concluding on the 20th December annually (A change in the Program timeframe could change with a shift of the W-League competition in 2010).

Scholarship Classification

Athletes will be classified into four scholarship categories according to their National Program status or current performance standard. A schedule of benefits will be defined and offered as per their scholarship categorisation. These categories are generically defined as follows:

1	WORLD CLASS ATHLETE	A member of a national senior team which has a current world ranking of 1-4 and is considered capable of maintaining this level of performance
2	INTERNATIONAL CLASS ATHLETE	A member of a national senior team at benchmark competitions and is considered capable of retaining or progressing their level of performance
3	EMERGING INTERNATIONAL CLASS ATHLETE	Athlete with the capability to achieve at least international class athlete status within 1-3 years
4	POTENTIAL INTERNATIONAL CLASS ATHLETE	Athlete with the capability to achieve at least international class athlete status within 4-7 years

Selection Process

A selection panel including the NTC WAIS Coaching Staff, representatives from both the FFA and Football West will consult and then nominate athletes to the Coaching Group Manager - Invasion Sports. The Coaching Group Manager will propose athlete names to the WAIS Executive Director for endorsement. Once approved, athletes will be offered Program memberships. Membership to the Program is not confirmed until the athlete has completed all WAIS administrative requirements. For an athlete to be considered in the selection process they must have been identified through the FW Talent ID Programs (State Teams, High Performance, Country Week, etc) by authorized FW High Performance Staff.

Queries on Selection

Questions concerning any aspect of selection must be received in writing 14 days following notification of athlete selection and addressed to the WAIS Coaching Group Manager or the NTC WAIS Head Coach.

Size of Squads

Squad size is dependent on the quality of athletes and the total number of squad memberships available. The maximum number of WAIS squad memberships offered for 2010 is 16 athletes. WAIS reserves the right to offer up to but not exceeding this maximum total.

Squad Review

All squad memberships will be reviewed twice a year, at the completion of an athlete's respective national competition. Its purpose is to review the progress of athletes against projected performance indicators. Athletes may remain at their current squad category, or be promoted or demoted/de-selected dependent on their performance review following benchmark competitions and coach assessment.

Withdrawal From Program

An athlete's withdrawal from the Program can occur via:

The athlete informing the WAIS Head Coach in writing and endorsed by the Executive Director;
The WAIS Head Coach recommending the withdrawal of an athlete to the WAIS Executive Director after review, based on the athlete's performance relative to selection criteria.
An athlete breaches the WAIS Athlete Code of Conduct. In this instance, procedures within this Code will be followed.

Any equipment loaned to an athlete through the Program must be returned to the Head Coach upon withdrawal of a squad membership. Athletes who do not return equipment will be liable for the cost of all outstanding equipment.

Athlete Selection Criteria

Scholarship Criteria

Athletes will be eligible for inclusion into the Program:

Based on their performance relative to selection criteria listed below;
Are Australian citizens and current financial members of Football West.

It should be noted that satisfaction of this criteria does not automatically guarantee a scholarship offer.

Download the Women's Football Selection Guidelines here

World Class Athlete

A member of the National Team which has a current world ranking of 1-4 and is considered capable of maintaining this level of performance.

International Class Athlete

A member of the National Team at the benchmark competition and is considered capable of retaining or progressing this level of performance.

Emerging International Athlete

An athlete National selectors have identified as having the potential to progress to a Senior National squad within 1-3 years

Potential International Athlete

Athletes who are deemed to have the potential to gain National representative status in the next 4-7 years.

Training / Invitational Athlete

An athlete who will be invited to train with WAIS Program for a nominated period of time. Identified through performance and recognition at National Underage Championship, W-League and local competitions.

NB: Athletes may be considered for squad selection who have the potential to represent Australia at the highest level and have achieved the set standards but have not in the current year due to special circumstances, i.e. injury.