OVERVIEW

The WestVic Academy of Sport works with athletes and their supporters to deliver specialist services to help them succeed. Our focus is on services athletes are not already accessing from existing support. Services may include: coaching, strength and conditioning, sport psychology, nutrition, fitness testing and other personal development.
 
The objective of WestVic is to implement a program which takes a holistic approach to an athlete’s development, through provision of off-surface services which support the technical and tactical sport specific coaching they are receiving already in their existing training environment. These services for the 2016/2017 Swimming program include:

• Musculoskeletal Screening and Strength & Conditioning (Program and Weekly Gym session) service year-round.
• Up to six Sport Psychology activities; a mixture of group and individual sessions will be available, determined in consultation with parents, athletes and coaches.
• Dinner and keynote address with an Olympic athlete.
  

SPORT PROGRAMS OVERVIEW

The WestVic Academy of Sport (WVAS) delivers support to Western Victoria's elite and developing elite athletes through dedicated sport programs in which WVAS supports the training environment with support from the sport's State Sporting Organisation (SSO).
  
Athletes from sports outside the current sport programs are eligible for support through WVAS, by becoming an Individual Scholarship Holder (ISH).

SPORT PROGRAMS

On the basis of a sport's rating against specific criteria, WVAS will operate and manage a Sport Program as agreed in a formal partnership with the sport's State Sporting Organisation (SSO).
 
The program constitutes a core element of the SSO and NSO elite athlete pathway. WVAS may employ a Program coach, or coaches, to lead and direct the Program.
 
WVAS Program coaches work closely with state coaches to ensure that the emphasis and direction of the WVAS program is consistent with the state and/or national direction.
 
The selection of an athlete in a WVAS program is based on specified criteria that are focussed on supporting elite and potential elite athletes.
 
The number of athletes at the WVAS at any one time will typically range between 130 - 150 athletes.

WVAS SPORTS
PROGRAM INFORMATION

Objectives

• Maximise WVAS representation on State teams;
• Maximise Victoria’s contribution to Australian world-class performances.

 
Benefits
WVAS offers a range of services to athletes as prioritised on the basis of the needs of the athlete as identified by the sport and/or coach/es. Services may include: coaching, strength & conditioning, sports psychology, biomechanics, physiology, nutrition and career and education guidance through the delivery of a number of personal excellence presentations.
  
In addition to these services WVAS may also offer direct financial support to offset competition travel expenses, coaching fees, venue access fees and medical costs. All services offered by WVAS are at the discretion of the Executive Officer.
  
Queries on Selection
Any queries on selection should be made directly to the Executive Officer.
  
De-selection Process
An athlete may request to end their scholarship at any time by informing the Executive Officer in writing.  WVAS can initiate termination of an athlete's scholarship after a formal review based on the athlete's current performances and level of commitment.

VIDEO

An interview with Mark Stahl (Swimming Program Head Coach) & athletes Josh Stahl & Ben Grima of the WestVic Academy of Sport Swimming Program

Click Here to visit the Swimming Victoria website