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HIGH PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC PLAN2013 – 2016
Page 1 11/09/2013
Athletics Australia’s High Performance
Strategic Plan 2013 - 2016
Simon Nathan
September 2013 (Summary)
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Aims
3. Vision
4. Philosophy
5. HP Strategic Plan Overview
5.1. Athletics Australia Athlete Trajectories
5.2. National Athlete Support Structure
5.3. National Targeted Talent Program
5.4. Local Targeted Talent Program
5.5. High Performance Coach Program
5.6. Daily Training Environment (excluding coaching)
5.7. Able-Bodied Major Championships Program
5.8. Para-athlete Major Championships Program
5.9. Age Group Major Championships Program
5.10. Influence International Calendar
5.11. Communications
5.12. Additional Programs
Appendix 1 High Performance Strategy Structure
Appendix 2 Stakeholders
Appendix 3 International Championships Calendar
Appendix 4 Proposed AA Staff Structure
Appendix 5 Current Coaching structure and Sports Science Sport Medicine leads
Page 2 11/09/2013
1. Introduction
This document is a summary of the HP Strategic Plan approved by Athletic Australia’s Board in
September 2013.
High Performance is one of the Pillars of Athletics Australia’s Strategic Plan for 2013 – 2016. The
overall objective of AA’s High Performance pillar is to:
Provide a stable and unified pathway for Australian high performance athletes and coaches
involving talent identification.
AA’s High Performance program is funded by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) through the
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and directly and/or indirectly by the Australian Olympic
Committee, the Australian Paralympic Committee and the Australian Commonwealth Games
Association. The major investor is the ASC/AIS. All of these bodies are aligned to the AIS Winning
Edge, the aims of which are:
Top 5 Olympic and Paralympics
Number 1 Commonwealth Games
20+ World champions annually
Winning Edge states that:
Investments will be prioritised to sports that demonstrate the greatest chance of short,
medium and long-term success. Decisions will be based on credible evidence that takes into
account recent performances and future potential, along with understanding the systems
that will drive performance outcomes.
On the role of Athletics Australia, Winning Edge states that:
NSOs are central to Australia’s high performance system and are responsible for delivering
high performance sport programs. They create environments that support coaches, athletes
and teams to perform at their best for national and international competition. In addition,
they nurture and identify Australia’s next generation of athletes, providing the right support
at the right time to ensure Australia continues to achieve international sporting success.
The list of the key stakeholders in this strategy are listed in Appendix 2.
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2. Aims
AIS’s Winning Edge’s stated aims are top 5 nation at the Olympics and Paralympics; top nation at the
Commonwealth Games and 20 World Champions each year. In the context of athletics “top 5
nation” and “top nation” are measured by medal tables and, at able-bodied championships, “points
tables”. (On the points table nations are awarded eight points for the winner of an event down to
one point for eight place.) Therefore the aim of Athletics Australia’s high performance strategy is to:
Create a sustainable and affordable program that identifies and nurtures athletes with the
realistic capability to:
• Become World Champion at the IAAF and IPC World Athletics Championships, Olympic
Games or Paralympic Games, and
• Win medals at the IAAF and IPC World Athletics Championships, Olympic Games,
Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games, and
• Finish in the top eight at the IAAF World Athletics Championships or Olympic Games.
3. Vision
Athletics Australia’s High Performance program will
- Identify athletes with the potential to contribute to the program’s aims; and
- provide levels of increasing status and support for those athletes most likely to meet the
program’s aims;
- provide appropriate opportunities, experiences and performance management at each level
of the program so that, should they progress within the sport, athletes are prepared to
succeed at the highest level.
4. Philosophy
The benefits of the High Performance program are offered by Athletics Australia (AA) as an
investment in an athlete to help them to meet the aims of the program, membership is not offered
as a reward for past success.
As far as practically possible the program will be targeted and delivered consistently across States
and Territories, across the sport’s Event Groups and across the able-bodied and Para programs.
Initially there may be differences but we aim to reduce these over time.
AA believe that the keys to success in athletics are (in order):
- Athletes
- Coaches
- Support services (eg medical services and the sports sciences)
- Facilities
- Competition structure
Page 4 11/09/2013
5. HP Strategic Overview
The High Performance program will be delivered via twelve “strategic initiatives”. The initiatives are designed
to address the existing program’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as presented to the AA
Board in September. In summary the themes of the initiatives are:
- Rationalise the athlete support structure focusing on the athletes most likely to meet the program aims
and on the best young athletes at national and state level. (Initiatives 5.1 to 5.4 also summarised in
Appendix 1).
- Rationalise the paid HP coaching structure and compliment the AA coach education system. (Initiative 5.5)
- Optimise the non-coaching aspects of the NASS athletes’ daily training environment. (Initiative 5.6)
- Continue to evolve and improve the delivery of a broad major championships program. (Initiatives 5.7 to
5.10)
- Continue to evolve and improve communications. (Initiative 5.11)
- Be aware of programs that we can’t afford to run at the moment and prepare to be opportunistic when
additional resources become available. (Initiative 5.12)
The twelve strategic initiatives are summarised below, each initiative is detailed in the sections that follow.
5.1 AAAT: Athletics Australia Athlete Trajectories
Create a database of the world’s best athletes’ performances and use intelligence derived from this
information to provide an objective evidence base for the program.
5.2 NASS: National Athlete Support Structure
Focus support on those individuals most likely to meet the program aims by creating a national tiered
structure that appropriately recognises and supports athletes.
5.3 NTTP: National Targeted Talent Program
Provide squad based support for the best Australian Athletes in the U19 and U17 age groups (eg U20 and U18
in the following season).
5.4 LTTP: Local Targeted Talent Program
Manage AA’s Member Association’s implementation of squad based support for the best young State /
Territory athletes.
5.5 HPC: High Performance Coaching
Rationalise the AA/SIS/SAS contracted coach structure and provide development opportunities to the greater
HP coaching community to compliment the formal AA coach education system.
5.6 DTE: Daily Training Environment
Rationalise the provision and quality of the non-coaching aspects of NASS athlete’s daily training environment.
5.7 ABMCP: Able Bodied Major Championships Program
Deliver able bodied major championships teams with athletes selected and supported appropriately for the
aims of the program.
5.8 PAMCP: Para Athlete Major Championships Program
Deliver para-athlete major championships teams with athletes selected and supported appropriately for the
aims of the program.
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5.9 AGMCP: Age Group Major Championships Program
Deliver age group major championships teams with athletes selected and supported appropriately for the aims
of the program.
5.10 IIC: Influence International Calendar
Influence peak sporting bodies to re-evaluate the age group major championships calendar.
5.11 COMS: Communications
Improve communications between AA’s High Performance program and the Australian athletics community.
5.12 AP: Additional Programs
Due to a lack of resources some programs can only be partially implemented or must be held at the planning
stage until additional resources can be secured.
Page 6 11/09/2013
5.1. Athletics Australia Athlete Trajectories
Description
Create a database of the world’s best athletes’ performances and use data intelligence from this information
to provide an objective evidence base for the program.
Strategic Aims
AAAT1: Create a database of the world’s best athletes’ performances in Olympic program events and use this
data to create progression models and a visual “Athlete Trajectory” tool.
AAAT2: Create a points based database of the world’s best athletes’ performances in Paralympic program
events and classifications and use this data to create progression models and a visual “Athlete
Trajectory” tool.
AAAT3: Use Trajectory data to underpin NASS selection standards and to provide objective data for the NASS
selection process.
AAAT4: Use Trajectories to provide objective data for Athlete Performance Advisor’s performance
management of athletes and coaches.
AAAT5: Use Trajectory data to create objective KPI’s for the program that underpin the high level medal / top
eight targets.
Strategic Actions
Strategic Aim Action
AAAT1 Work with the AIS to create able-bodied Trajectory data and Athlete Trajectory tool.
AAAT2 Work with the AIS to create Para-athlete Trajectory data and Athlete Trajectory tool.
AAAT3 Use Trajectory data in NASS selection policies and selection meetings
AAAT4 Use Trajectory data in APA athlete meetings
AAAT5 Use Trajectory data to create program KPIs
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5.2. National Athlete Support Structure
Description
Focus support on those individuals most likely to meet the program aims by creating a national tiered
structure that appropriately recognises and supports athletes.
Strategic Aims
NASS1: Outline a tiered structure based on time to podium, applicable across able-bodied and para-athletes
and AIS/SIS/SAS network.
NASS2: Select athletes to the NASS bi-annually (after the national championships and after the major
championships of the year) based on objective data (from the AA Athlete Trajectories), 360 style
assessments (using the AA Athlete Capacity Template) and expert opinion.
NASS3: Support athletes appropriately at each tier with finances (direct and indirect), performance
management (via assigned Athlete Performance Advisors) and an appropriate DTE (through the
AIS/SIS/SAS network whenever possible). Direct financial support will be via a top-up to the athlete’s
DAS award.
NASS4: DAS payments to be tied to an athlete agreement that reinforces appropriate behaviours.
NASS5: Where possible support the coaches of NASS athletes through finances, performance management
(via assigned Athlete Performance Advisors) and the High Performance Coach Program.
Strategic Actions
Strategic Aim Action
NASS1 Create a NASS selection policy that also outlines the vision and aims of the program.
NASS2 Create AA Capacity Template and have completed by coach/athlete and independently
by APA (EH, AF & SM for initial selection meeting).
NASS2 Select NASS athletes.
NASS3 Drive NASS athlete’s progression through the assigned Athlete Program Advisors
working with the athlete / coaches directly and managing the DTE through regular
Interdisciplinary Meetings.
NASS4 Update Athlete Agreement and ensure signed by every NASS athlete before funding
released.
Notes: Any direct financial support to athletes will be inclusive of DAS funding.
NASS5 Update Coach Agreement and ensure signed by every coach that we “invite” to
contribute to financially before funding released.
Notes: Due to financial constraints coach support will initially be restricted to a small
number of coaches “invited” on an objective and published basis.
Other Notes
Page 8 11/09/2013
5.3. National Targeted Talent Program
Description
Provide squad based support for the best Australian Athletes in the U19 and U17 age groups (eg U20 and U18
in the following season).
Strategic Aims
NTTP1: Provide meaningful opportunities for AA’s HP staff to interact with selected athletes and their
personal coaches in order to assess their potential to contribute to the overall program aims.
NTTP2: Provide recognition and status for the nation’s best athletes and their personal coaches in the U19
and U17 age groups.
NTTP3: Provide recognition and status for the best national coaches in each event by appointing
National Junior Event Coaches (NJECs).
NTTP4: Improve athletes’ and personal coaches’ understanding of HP issues and major championships
planning.
NTTP5: Create a working relationship with athletes and personal coaches via regular contact with
their NJEC.
NTTP6: Use knowledge of athletes and personal coaches to provide performance management of the best
athletes at key transition stages in their career (eg change of school, starting university, changing
coaches, changing locations, starting on AA’s NASS program).
Strategic Actions
Strategic Aim Action
NTTP1 &
NTTP2
Publish NTTP Selection Policy
NTTP3 Appoint NJECs
NTTP1 &
NTTP2
Athletes and personal coaches invited (PC attendance compulsory at U19s)
NTTP4 &
NTTP5 &
NTTP6
Hold at least two squads per age group per annum (PC attendance compulsory at U19s)
NTTP4 &
NTTP5
NJEC’s monitor athletes recording interactions using AMP system
NTTP6 Provide performance management of the best athletes at key transition stages in their
career.
Other Notes
Wherever possible squads will be integrated (able-bodied and Para-athletes).
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5.4. Local Targeted Talent Program
Description
Manage AA’s Member Association’s implementation of squad based support for the best young State /
Territory athletes.
Strategic Aims
LTTP0: Provide leadership on MAs implementation of the LTTP program.
LTTP1: Provide meaningful opportunities for State coaches to interact with selected athletes and their
personal coaches in order to assess their potential to contribute to the overall program aims.
LTTP2: Provide recognition and status for each State’s best age group athletes and their personal coaches.
LTTP3: Provide recognition and status for the best state coaches in each event by appointing State Event
Coaches (SECs).
LTTP4: Improve athletes’ and personal coaches’ understanding of National issues and championships
planning.
LTTP5: Create a working relationship with athletes and personal coaches via regular contact with
their SEC.
LTTP6: Use knowledge of athletes and personal coaches to provide performance management of the best
athletes at key transition stages of their career (eg change of school, starting university, changing
coaches, changing locations, starting on AA’s NTTP or NASS program).
Strategic Actions
Strategic Aim Action
LTTP0 Provide MAs with guidance notes on revised program.
LTTP1 &
LTTP 2
Publish NTTP Selection Policy
LTTP3 Appoint SECs
LTTP1 &
LTTP2
Athletes and personal coaches invited
LTTP4 &
LTTP5 &
LTTP6
Hold at least three squads per age group per annum
LTTP4 &
LTTP5
SEC’s monitor athletes
LTTP6 As required
LTTP0 Debrief program at the end of each year and revise as and when needed.
Other Notes
Wherever possible squads will be integrated (able-bodied and Para-athletes).
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5.5. High Performance Coaching
Description
Rationalise the AA/SIS/SAS contracted coach structure and provide development opportunities to the greater
HP coaching community to compliment the formal AA coach education system.
Strategic Aims
HPC1: Maximise athlete’s coaching choices by having at least two contracted Australian High Performance
coaches for each event (full-time or part-time), with both coaches working in different States.
HPC2: Increase the leverage of the existing paid coach structure by moving coaches to direct AA
employment whenever both practical and financially viable to do so.
HPC3: Rationalise the coaching structure to remove duplication and maximise event coverage.
HPC4: Create a development strategy for HP coaches to compliment the formal AA coach education system.
In this context “HP coaches” includes AA/SIS/SAS contracted coaches (full-time or part-time) plus the
personal coaches of NASS athletes and the LTTP State coaches. The last two groups form the most
likely source of future contracted coaches.
Strategic Actions
Strategic Aim Action
HPC2 Review SIS/SAS contracted coaches’ roles and responsibilities and move to AA direct
employment whenever both practical and financially viable to do so.
HPC3 Align the contracts and contract dates of the existing AA/SIS/SAS contracted coaches.
HPC1 & HPC3 Rationalise the paid coaching structure to remove duplication and maximise event
coverage.
HPC1 & HPC4 Use AIS Innovation funding Coaching Seminar money to invite targeted coaches to
lecture in Australia (initially throws, walks and endurance or sprints)
HPC1 & HPC4 Create a national HP coaching “needs analysis” and use it to formulate an opportunistic
plan to take advantage of visiting coaches, networks, grants, increased resources, etc as
and when they become available
HPC1 & HPC4
Set up a HP coach mentoring program using championship opportunities and proven
coaches as mentors at home (whether or not they are active now). Consider including
mentoring duties in any new coach contracts.
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5.6. Daily Training Environment (excluding coaching)
Description
Rationalise the provision and quality of the non-coaching aspects of NASS athlete’s daily training environment.
Strategic Aims
DTE1: Ensure that every NASS athlete can access a DTE appropriate to his/her level within the program.
DTE2: Use Interdisciplinary Meetings, led by an athlete’s Athlete Performance Advisor and informed by the
athlete’s AA Athlete Capacity Template, to maximise the benefits of the available DTE.
DTE3: Prioritise the AIS/SIS/SAS network as the providers of the DTE for all NASS athletes. When an athlete
cannot regularly access AIS/SIS/SAS facilities and services they must accept that their DTE is likely to
be compromised.
DTE4: Increase the quality and focus of DTE provision for NASS athletes by maximising the number of sports
science / sports medicine staff with a national athletics remit and using these staff to quality assure
and, where necessary, enhance or supplement the DTE.
Strategic Actions
Strategic Aim Action
DTE1, DTE4 Recruit national leads for each service and create appropriate working groups.
DTE1, DTE2 Service leads to:
- Provide expert advice to HP Dept as required;
- Provide expert advice on service specific policies as and when required;
- Assist with consistent record keeping regarding their service across the network;
(eg using Fairplay for the medical based services)
- Assist with quality assurance regarding their service across the network;
- Source appropriate service providers as required (for example to staff domestic or
international camps, or to offer additional expertise on specific athlete issues).
DTE1, DTE2,
DTE3
Drive NASS athlete’s progression through the assigned Athlete Program Advisors
working with the athlete / coaches directly and managing the DTE through regular
Interdisciplinary Meetings.
Other Notes
The key services are:
• Medical, led by a contracted Chief Medical Officer
• Soft Tissues (physiotherapy and massage), led by a contracted Head Physiotherapist
• Strength and Conditioning
• Biomechanics including Para-athlete mechanics/engineers
• Physiology
• Nutrition
• Psychology (Clinical psychology to be coordinated between the sports psychology and medical
teams as appropriate).
The first four named teams to work together as appropriate to ensure optimal rehabilitation
programs across the program.
Page 12 11/09/2013
5.7. Able-Bodied Major Championships Program
Description
Deliver able-bodied major championships teams with athletes selected and supported appropriately for the
aims of the program.
For the international calendar of Championships refer to Appendix 3.
Targeted Able-Bodied Major Championships
Olympic Games
IAAF World Championships
Commonwealth Games
Additional Able-Bodied Major Championships
World Indoor Championships
World Cross Country (joint Senior & U20)
World Half Marathon Championships
World Relay Championships
World Race Walking Cup (joint Senior & U20)
World University Games, T&F Championships (U28 and restricted to students)
World University Games, Cross Country Championships (U28 and restricted to students)
IAAF Continental Cup
Strategic Aims
ABMCP1: Subject to budget constraints and peak body entry requirements support AA Board’s strategy of
tightening able-bodied selection standards over the Olympiad (see Notes below):
� Year 1 (World Championships) maximum team size
� Year 2 (Commonwealth Games) focus on finalists (top eight) and realistic future World /
Olympic athletes
� Year 3 (World Championships) tighten requirements focusing on Olympic (2016) success
� Year 4 (Olympics) select the optimal team for success at the Games (2016 and 2020)
ABMCP2: Maximise results at the Targeted Championships.
KPIs (in priority order): total gold medals won, total medals won, total top eight places, athletes
achieving personal bests, athletes reproducing their qualification standard at the championships.
ABMCP3: Prioritise the selection of athletes most likely to contribute to the overall HP aims at the
Championships; then athletes most likely to contribute to the overall HP aims in the longer run.
ABMCP4: Constantly review and update the delivery of national teams at Targeted Championships focusing on:
pre-event logistics, team staffing including succession planning, clear roles and responsibilities at
events.
ABMCP5: Implement a scaled down version of the Targeted Championships approach for the Additional
Championships.
Strategic Actions (for each Targeted Championships)
Strategic Aim Action
ABMCP1 &
ABMCP2 &
ABMCP3
Create selection policy
ABMCP2 &
ABMCP4
Appoint team staff in conjunction with the ITC
ABMCP2 Publish Team Handbook
Page 13 11/09/2013
ABMCP2 &
ABMCP4
Hold pre-departure and/or holding camp as required.
ABMCP4 &
ABMCP5
Document team polices, processes and procedures and update after each competition
debrief.
ABMCP4 Post-championships debrief
Other Notes
The strategy for major championships selection policies over the Olympiad is to be reviewed when the IAAF
publish the details of the new World Championships qualification process. At the time of writing we
understand that the qualification process will change but details are unknown. The new rules may also affect
the Olympic qualification process.
Page 14 11/09/2013
5.8. Para-athlete Major Championships Program
Description
Deliver Para-athlete major championships teams with athletes selected and supported appropriately for the
aims of the program.
For the international calendar of Championships refer to Appendix 4.
Targeted Able-Bodied Major Championships
Paralympic Games
IPC World Championships
Commonwealth Games (restricted events / classifications)
Additional Able-Bodied Major Championships
TBC
Strategic Aims
APMCP1: Maximise results at the Targeted Championships.
KPIs (in priority order): total gold medals won, total medals won, total top eight places, athletes
achieving personal bests, athletes reproducing their qualification standard at the championships.
APMCP2: Prioritise the selection of athletes most likely to contribute to the overall HP aims at the
Championships; then athletes most likely to contribute to the overall HP aims in the longer run.
APMCP3: Wherever possible use the same standardised approach to the delivery of Targeted Championships
as the able-bodied program. This to is allow maximum flexibility in the recruitment and allocation of
team staff. Document differences as appropriate.
APMCP4: Implement a scaled down version of the Targeted Championships approach (outlined below) for the
Additional Championships.
Strategic Actions (for each Targeted Championships)
Strategic Aim Action
APMCP1 &
APMCP2
Create selection policy
APMCP1 &
APMCP3
Appoint team staff in conjunction with the ITC
APMCP1 Publish Team Handbook
APMCP1 &
APMCP3
Hold pre-departure and/or holding camp as required.
APMCP4 &
APMCP4
Document team polices, processes and procedures and update after each competition
debrief.
APMCP3 Post-championships debrief
Other Notes
Page 15 11/09/2013
5.9. Age Group Major Championships Program
Description
Deliver age group major championships teams with athletes selected and supported appropriately for the aims
of the program.
For the international calendar of age group Championships refer to Appendix 4.
Targeted Age Group Major Championships
World Junior Championships (U20)
World Youth Championships (U18)
Additional Age Group Major Championships
Youth Olympics (U18)
Commonwealth Youth Games (U18)
Australian Youth Olympic Festival (U18)
Joint Age Group Championships
World Cross Country (joint Senior & U20)
World Race Walking Cup (joint Senior & U20)
Strategic Aims
AGMCP1: Maximise results at the Targeted Age Group Major championships.
KPIs (in priority order): total medals won, total top eight places, athletes achieving personal bests,
athletes reproducing their qualification standard at the championships.
AGMCP2: Prioritise the selection of athletes most likely to contribute to the overall HP aims in the long term.
AGMCP3: Use the age group championships opportunities to prepare athletes and personal coaches for the
senior championships environment.
AGMCP4: Use the age group championships opportunities to prepare team staff for the senior championships
environment.
AGMCP5: Implement a scaled down version of the Targeted Age Group Championships approach (outlined
below) for the Additional Age Group Championships.
AGMCP6: Provide age group specific advice and/or staff, as requested, for Joint Age Group Championships.
Strategic Actions (for each Targeted Age Group Championships)
Strategic Aim Action
AGMCP1 &
AGMCP2
Create selection policy
AGMCP1 &
AGMCP4
Appoint team staff in conjunction with the ITC
AGMCP1 &
AGMCP3 &
AGMCP4
Publish team handbook
AGMCP1 &
AGMCP3 &
AGMCP4
Hold pre-departure and/or holding camp as required.
AGMCP1 &
AGMCP3 &
AGMCP4
Operate at the championships using age-appropriate versions of senior team polices,
processes and procedures.
AGMCP3 &
AGMCP4
Post-championships debrief
Page 16 11/09/2013
Other Notes
The World U18 Championships is only appropriate for the most physically and mentally mature athletes. Only
a few athletes will progress from this event to contribute to the overall aims of the HP program. Due to their
relative immaturity athletes require careful age-appropriate management. For these reasons team size will be
managed by setting AA specific selection standards that reflect a realistic top eight performance based on
previous WU18 championships results.
Many of the comments above also apply to the World U20 Championships, however these athletes only have
one Championships opportunity every other year and so relatively more athletes should be given the chance
to compete. For these reasons team size will be managed by setting AA specific selection standards that
reflect a realistic top sixteen performance based on previous WU20 championships results.
Page 17 11/09/2013
5.10. Influence International Calendar
Description
Influence peak sporting bodies to re-evaluate the age group major championships calendar.
For a program of Championships see Appendix 4 – International Championships Calender.
This strategic initiative is less structured than the earlier parts of this plan. Wherever possible and appropriate
AA staff should seek to influence decision makers and decision making bodies within the peak sporting bodies
along the following lines:
- create international Championships opportunities for the U23 age group;
- balance the U20 T&F program by adding an international Championships opportunity in odd calendar
years; and
- reduce the U18 program and re-balance the Championships opportunities across the Olympiad.
Page 18 11/09/2013
5.11. Communications
Description
Improve communications between AA’s High Performance program and the Australian athletics community.
External communications are owned by AA’ Communication & Marketing Department. HPD will work with
C&M to produce appropriate communications plans, crisis management plans, etc.
Clear and effective communications with athletes regarding their national and international duties with
respect to Anti-Doping is vital to the success and to the image of AA and the HP Department. As a priority
appropriate strategies will be developed in this area with the AA’s CEO and Ethics and Integrity Manager.
In addition to the work above the following plan will be owned by HP, the strategy is designed to improve
communications and relations with the Australian athletics community:
Method Target Notes
Athlete Performance Advisors NASS athletes and coaches
AIS/SIS/SAS and other service
providers working with NASS
athletes and coaches
The APAs will be the key to
smooth communication with key
athletes and coaches as well as
ensuring a consistent drive
towards better performance.
Regular and meaningful
Interdisciplinary Meetings will be
key to the APA’s work.
Electronic HP Newsletter NASS athletes and coaches.
Other HP Coaches.
AIS/SIS/SAS network.
MA and Peak Body CEOs and key
operational staff.
Other self-identified interested
parties.
To be sent at least monthly, twice
monthly in busy periods.
To be successful must avoid
“politics” and remain focused on
HP issues, pointing readers to
additional details on the AA
website whenever possible.
AA website – HP Section All of the above.
The HP section of the website will
include up-to-date version of all
of the key policy documents and
templates.
We will take advantage of the
current company level restructure
of the website to ensure that key
HP information is relevant and
easy to find.
Notes:
Communications with other key stakeholders such as AA’s CEO, Board and MA’s, AIS, AOC, APC, ACGA, the AA
Selection Committee, etc will continue as normal via the HP Advisory Committee, Board Reports, AIS reporting
templates, day-to-day personal contacts, etc.
Page 19 11/09/2013
5.12. Additional Programs
Description
Due to a lack of resources some programs can only be partially implemented or must be held at the planning
stage until additional resources can be secured. These programs are listed below:
Program Notes
Relays There is a realistic opportunity for all Australian relay squads to reach the finals of the Olympic
Games and World Championships and to medal at the Commonwealth Games. At the moment
the men’s squads are stronger than the women’s squads.
Australia has very few sprinters who merit inclusion on the NASS program as individuals.
However the gap to other teams (with faster individuals) can be closed by working on specific
relay skills (4x100m relays) and increasing physical resilience to ensure that the best athletes
are available to compete (all relays).
For these reasons a relay program is required that assists squad members not supported
elsewhere on the program.
For 2013/14 we will invest in four part-time relay squad coaches and at least two relay squad
camps.
Finances and entry conditions permitting we will also send squads to the new World Relay
Championships.
Should additional resources become available we should consider a single full-time relay coach
to replace or supplement the current coaching structure.
Walks The walking events are a constant source of success for Australia and there is certainly enough
talent within the event for this to continue in the short and medium term.
The changes in the AIS program has de-stabilised the walks community. At best this is a
distraction but there is a real possibility that the lack of a central program will have a negative
effect on medium and long term results.
We will invest time with the walks community in 2013/14 to refocus on the high performance
end of the sport.
Should additional resources become available we should consider a single full-time walks coach
/ manager to lead this event group and/or a national squad program for group training, to
share knowledge and to provide resources (eg physiology, biomechanics, access to altitude,
etc).
Endurance
Australia has a good depth of endurance athletes as evidenced by the number of athletes
achieving NASS standards. However this depth is not reflected in major championships results.
Zoe Buckman’s 7th place in Moscow was the first major top eight result since Youcef Abdi’s 6th
in Beijing 2008. The last Australian endurance medallist was Craig Mottram in 2005.
Should additional resources become available we should consider a single full-time endurance
coach / manager to lead this event group and/or a national squad program for group training,
to share knowledge and to provide resources (eg physiology, access to altitude, etc).
Late
Developing
Athletes
We do not have significant resources to assist late developing athletes bridge the gap between
the junior age group and the NASS program. The resources that we do have will be spent on
the comprehensive international competition calendar. Unfortunately some late developing
athletes will not have achieved the minimum entry standards for these competitions and so
will not benefit.
Page 20 11/09/2013
Should additional resources become available we should consider:
- Transition support from Junior to Senior
- Individual support for ALL athletes with the capacity to medal at the Commonwealths but
who are unlikely to reach top eight level at the Worlds or Olympics level.
- Individual support for any athletes with the capacity to finish 4th to 8th at the
Commonwealths but who are unlikely to reach top eight level at the Worlds or Olympics.
Para-
athlete
Innovation
To further enhance the Para-athletics equipment development and training practices through
the specific access and utilisation of service provision in line with the AIS Winning Edge
Innovation Program. There are two areas that this can be specifically addressed:
- Through utilising engineer, biomechanist and coaches to develop cutting edge programs
(e.g. Tyre rolling friction, knee prosthesis development, wind-tunnel testing for racing
position etc).
- Through further developing class/functional specific training programs through adapting
able body parameters (e.g. Altitude training for wheelchair, CP impact on middle distance
running, arm amputee effect on hamstring injury etc).
Individual
Initiatives
Australian success, including success in sport, is characterised by an individual and
entrepreneurial approach.
A number of coaches have approached AA asking for support for their projects including
specific event development in their home areas, coach mentoring, research projects, etc. Some
of these projects are proposed by coaches and/or athletes with considerable past success
within the sport.
Should additional resources become available we should consider a system of competitive
bidding to fund these individual projects where they can show that their projects will directly
contribute to the program aims.
Para-
athlete
Grand Prix
There is a possibility of AA hosting a Para-athlete grand prix type event. This would be very
beneficial for all our Para-athletes but particularly those who are in the medal winning zone
but not yet winning gold medals.
Should additional resources become available we should consider supporting this type of
event.
Page 21 11/09/2013
Appendix 1 – AA High Performance Strategy Structure
Program Description Delivery Key Championships /
National Competitions
Na
tio
na
l A
thle
te S
up
po
rt S
tru
ctu
re
(NA
SS
)
En
ha
nce
d
World Class Athletes currently contributing to the programs aims at
World and/or Olympic level. Personalised program.
Each athlete monitored and
performance manages by an AA Athlete
Performance Advisor.
Typically delivered through the
AIS/SIS/SAS network.
Olympic / Paralympic Games
IAAF / IPC World Championships
Commonwealth Games
National Championships
Australian Athletic Tour events
National Athletics Series events
State Championships
World Junior Championships
World Youth Championships
Youth Olympic/Commonwealths
National Age Group Championships
State Age Group Championships
International Athletes with the realistic capacity to reach the World Class level
within two years.
Development Athletes with the realistic capacity to reach the World Class level
within four years.
Commonwealth Athletes with the realistic capacity to win a medal at the
2014 Commonwealth Games.
Potential Young athletes, athletes with a low training age and indigenous athletes
with the realistic capacity to make the Development level within 2 years.
Te
am
Senior Athletes selected to represent Australia in identified
senior championships.
Program dependant on resources,
typically delivered at the competition
itself and at the holding camp and/or
the pre-departure camp.
Each athlete monitored by the
competition’s Team Coaching staff.
Junior Athletes selected to represent Australia in identified
U20 championships.
Squad Identified athletes with the potential to represent Australia in 2014/15.
Ta
rge
ted
Ta
len
t P
rog
ram
(TT
P)
Na
tio
na
l
U19
U17
The best Australian athletes in the previous season
U19 and U17 age groups.
Squad based program delivered by AA.
Each athlete monitored by an AA
National Junior Event Coach.
Lo
ca
l Various but
including
U19 & U17
The best State / Territory age group athletes
from the previous season.
Squad based program delivered by
Member Associations.
Each athlete monitored by MA
State Event Coach.
Page 22 11/09/2013
Appendix 2 – Project Stakeholders
The key stakeholders in this project are:
1. The Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
2. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
3. The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC)
4. The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC)
5. The Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA)
6. The eight SIS/SAS organisations:
6.1. ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS)
6.2. Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS)
6.3. New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS)
6.4. Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS)
6.5. South Australia Sports Institute (SASI)
6.6. Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS)
6.7. Western Australia Institute of Sport (WAIS)
6.8. Victoria Institute of Sport (VIS)
7. The eight Athletics Australia Member Associations:
7.1. Athletics ACT (AACT)
7.2. Athletics New South Wales (ANSW)
7.3. Athletics Northern Territory (ANT)
7.4. Athletics South Australia (ASA)
7.5. Athletics Tasmania (AT)
7.6. Athletics Victoria (AV)
7.7. Athletics Western Australia (AWA)
7.8. Queensland Athletics (QA) (which incorporates Athletics North Queensland)
8. The Board of Athletics Australia (AA) and it’s committees / advisory committees, the most
relevant to the AA HP Plan being:
- The High Performance Advisory Committee
- The Selection Committee – Track and Field
- The International Tours Advisory Committee
- The Athletes with a Disability Advisory Committee (now defunct)
- The Athletes Commission
- The Coaching Advisory Committee
- The Track and Field Advisory Committee
- The Distance Running Advisory Committee
- The Walks Advisory Committee
Page 23 11/09/2013
Appendix 3 – International Championships Calendar
Event Age Group Year
1 2 3 4
Olympic Games Senior X
Paralympic Games Senior X
IAAF World Championships Senior X X
IPC World Championships Senior X X
Commonwealth Games Senior X
Continental Cup Senior X
World Indoors Senior X X
World Cross Country Senior X X
World Half Marathon Senior X X
World Race Walking Cup Senior X X
World Relays Senior X X
Oceania Championships Senior X X X X
World University Games U28 X X
World University Cross Country U28 X X
World Junior Championships U20 X X
World Cross Country U20 X X
World Race Walking Cup U20 X X
World Youth Championships U18 X X
Youth Olympics U18 X
Commonwealth Youth Games U18 X
Australian Youth Olympic Festival U18 X
24
Appendix 4 – Proposed AA Staff Structure
In order to implement the outlined strategy the existing AA HP Staff will be structured as follows:
Name Role
Simon Nathan HP Director
Eric Hollingsworth Head Coach (able-bodied)
Andrew Faichney Para-program Manager
Sara Mulkearns Junior HP Program Manager
Nathan Sims HP Operations Manager
Scott Whitam Junior Para-program Coordinator
Amy Hibbert Para-development Officer (Participation Department)
Nicky Frey Junior Coach Coordinator
Kylie Williams Junior HP Administrator
Carol Grant HP Administration Coordinator
25
Appendix 5 – Current Coaching structure and Sports Science Sport Medicine leads (NB only AA employed SSSM staff show)
Organisation Name Role
Event Basis
AA Matt Beckenham Event Coach ACT Relays Part Time
Note: all relay contracts
currently under review.
AA Paul Hallam Event Coach NSW Relays Part Time
AA Sharon Hannan Event Coach QLD Relays Part Time
AA Adam Larcom Event Coach VIC Relays Part Time
AIS/AA Craig Hilliard Event Coach ACT Walks / Hurdles Full Time
AA Dave Smith Event Coach QLD Walks Part Time
AA Nicole Boegman-Stewart Event Coach NSW Long Jump Full Time
QIS Gary Bourne Event Coach QLD Long Jump Full Time
AA Bronwyn Thompson Event Coach QLD Long Jump Part Time (also NJEC)
WAIS Alex Parnov Event Coach WA Pole Vault Full Time
AA Zsuzsa Olgyay-Szabo Event Coach NSW Pole Vault Part Time
WAIS Grant Ward Event Coach WA Javelin Full Time (also NJEC)
AA Scott Martin Event Coach VIC Throws Full Time (also NJEC)
AA Jackie Byrnes NJEC QLD Sprints Part Time
AA Lyn Foreman NJEC WA Hurdles Part Time
AA Nicky Frey NJEC VIC Distance n/a (also junior coach coordinator)
AA Megan Szirom NJEC SA Walks Part Time
AA Bronwyn Thompson NJEC QLD Long / Triple Jump n/a (also event coach)
AA Sandro Bisetto NJEC VIC High Jump Part Time
AA Mark Stewart NJEC VIC Pole Vault Part Time
AA Scott Martin NJEC VIC Shot / Discus n/a (also event coach)
AA Dion Collins NJEC QLD Javelin Part Time
AA Karyne Di Marco NJEC NSW Hammer Part Time
AA Grant Ward NJEC WA Multis n/a (also event coach)
26
AA Adam Basil Para-Event Coach NSW Sprints & relays Part time
AIS/AA Iryna Dvoskina Para-Event Coach ACT Sprints Full time
AA Brett Robinson Para-Event Coach ACT Sprints Full time
AA Tim Matthews Para-Event Coach VIC Sprints Part time
AA John Eden Para-Event Coach VIC Throws Full time
AA Philo Saunders Para-Event Coach ACT Distance Part time
AA Nicky Frey Para-Event Coach VIC Distance n/a (also junior coach coordinator)
NSWIS/AA Andrew Dawes Para-Event Coach NSW W/C Full time
AA Frederic Periac Para-Event Coach ACT W/C Full time
NSWIS/AA Louise Sauvage Para-Event Coach NSW W/C Full time
AA Victoria Moore Para SSSM VIC Part Time
AA Adam Castricum VIC Chief Medical Officer Part Time
AA Brent Kirkbride Physiotherapist NSW Part Time
AA Kevin Craigie Junior Coordinator VIC Part Time
