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Far West Academy of Sport

The Far West Academy of Sport (FWAS) is one of 11 regional academies of sport throughout the state of NSW. The Far West Academy of Sport facilitates the identification and preparation of talented young athletes so they may achieve their highest potential with the support of sporting organisations, government and the community.

The Far West Academy of Sport exists to:

identify, develop and enhance sport pathways for talented athletes from within the Far West region of NSW
provide athletes with opportunities to access a higher level of sport development programs to develop their talent
encourage athletes and young people to reach their full potential
guide athletes towards regional, state and national sports participation and performances
provide holistic programs that assist young people to develop their sporting and leadership skills.

Catchment area
Academy Games
Academy sports
Calendar of events
Scholarships
FWAS highlights
Contact information
Photo gallery

Catchment area

The FWAS is one of eleven Regional Academies of Sport in NSW.

The FWAS services the largest region of all NSW Academies, encompassing approximately 42% of the state. This area stretches from Broken Hill to Lightning Ridge, Ivanhoe to Enngonia.

This region covers the following local government areas Bogan Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Walgett, Warren as well as the Unincorporated Area of NSW. Members of neighbouring communities who identify with the Far West region are also included in some programs.
NSW map showing FWAS regions

Academy Games

The Academy Games will be held in Armidale NSW from 7-9 April 2010. The Far West Academy will compete in Lawn Bowls, Golf and Netball. For more information on the Academy Games www.academygames.com.au

FWAS sport development programs

Netball

Age: 14 - 18
Program Year: December – November
Squad Size: Academy Squad (15-18yrs) – 15-20 athletes, Futures Squad (14-15yrs) – 12-16 athletes

Tennis

Age: 12 – 18
Program Year: March – December
Squad Size: 12 – 15 athletes

Lawn Bowls

Age: 12 – 17
Program Year: June – May
Squad Size: 6 – 10 athletes

Golf

Age: 13 – 18
Program Year: October – September
Squad Size: 6 – 10 athletes

Rugby League (in partnership with Country Rugby League)

Age: 14 – 18
Program Year: October – April
Squad Size: Academy Squad (16-18yrs) – 18-22 athletes, Development Squad (14-16yrs) – 18-22 athletes

Lone Star Program (Individual scholarship program)

Age: 12 – 18
Program: October – September
Squad Size: 12 – 15 athletes

FWAS Academy Joint Regional Development Programs

Football - July: Development Camp, Warren (11 to 16 years) supported by Football NSW and University of NSW
Squash - October: Development Camp, Warren (12 to 18 years) supported by Squash NSW
Polo Cross - April: Regional Development Camp, Quambone

Coach Development Program

The FWAS invites local coaches to attend FWAS programs and work with the head coach to enhance their coaching skills.

Officiating Development

Calendar of events

Dates	Sport	Activity	Venue
18 December - 18 January 2010		FWAS office closed
7 – 9 January	Clay Target	HAS Clay Target Development Camp	Newcastle, Lake Macquarie Clay Target Club
13 – 17 January	Football	UNSW Sydney Tour	Sydney
10 – 15 January	Golf	Bush to City Tour	Sydney
18 – 21 January	CRL Academy	NSWRL Blues Camp	Narrabeen
TBC	CRL Development	15’s Game vs Newcastle	Cessnock
Mid January	League Development	High Performance Clinics NRL Clubs – 8 athletes	Sydney
14 February	CRL Academy	Full Squad Training day	Warren
13 - 14 February	Netball	Squad Development Day	Warren
24 February	RAS	Regional Academy NSW Parliament Presentation	Sydney
27 February	CRL Academy	Bulldogs vs Raiders Pre Season Trial	Dubbo

FWAS Scholarships

Duration

Academy scholarships are generally for a period of one year.

Athlete Eligibility Criteria

Reside in the Far West region of NSW
Demonstrate commitment and dedication to their chosen sport
Willingness to learn and to apply coaching ideas
Tactical ability or knowledge as demonstrated in drills or games
Physical attributes including height, power, agility, speed and endurance
Be aged between 12 – 18 years.

Scholarship Benefits

Intensive training by accredited and experienced coaches
Sports Science testing and evaluation
Opportunities to compete in high level events
Education/Personal Development sessions
Regular updates from the FWAS including sporting tips on how to improve performance.

FWAS highlights

2009 Annual Awards Presentation conducted at Warren Sports Stadium on Sunday 22nd November.
- 2009 FWAS Athlete of the Year: Brent Todd – AWD Athletics, Tottenham
- Netball Program athlete of the Year awarded by Coaches: Taylor Martin, Nyngan
- CRL Academy athlete of the Year awarded by Coaches: Jarrod Linton-Harland, Coonamble
- Bowls Program athlete of the Year awarded by Coaches: Claire Bennell, Coonabarabran
- Golf Program athlete of the Year awarded by Coaches: Brad Connelly, Warren
- Tennis Program athlete of the Year awarded by Coaches Damien Lewis, Nyngan
The Yvonne Cawley Tennis Foundation invite three FWAS Tennis squad members to the 2010 January Indigenous Tennis Camp in Melbourne from the 17th – 23rd January in conjunction with the Australian Open. Congratulations to Ethan Johnson, Nathan Johnson - Brewarrina and former athlete now living in Melbourne on scholarship Matthew Fuller – Warren.
FWAS Football program kicks off in partnership with Football NSW and the University of NSW. From 13 - 18 January a squad of 16 and coaching staff will travel to Sydney to UNSW to participate in a five day development camp, including attending a Sydney FC home game against the Gold Coast.
Netball: Congratulations to Sam Gordon – Brewarrina, Corrine Towney – Coonabarabran, Chloe Whighton – Gilgandra and Bronwyn Sharpley – Walgett on their selection into the 2010 NSW Indigenous Schoolgirls Netball Squad which will compete in the Australian Tournament in Brisbane on 14-17 January.
Clay Target: in partnership with the Hunter Academy of Sport, three shooters from the Western Zone Clay Target Association have been selected to attend a development camp in Newcastle from 7 – 9 January. Jason Owen – Warren, Nick Brown – Moree and Jarrod Turner – Cobar will get the opportunity to work with Hunter Academy program coach Graeme Gosling and Australian Junior Coach Graeme Boyde.
FWAS Golf program gears up for its annual Bush to City Development tour from 10 to 15 January. Nine junior golfers from Far West NSW will play golf and attend training sessions with Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation coaches on some of Sydney’s best courses, including the NSW Golf Club which hosted the 2009 Australian Open.