Program Summary

Program Season: October - September
Age Group: 14-18 Years of Age
Gender: Female and Male

Current Program Status:
2024-2025 Program Underway

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport implements high performance programs for talented young athletes from South West Sydney across a number of sports.

The Academy implements a Netball Umpire program in association with the local associations and Netball NSW, and is provided by high performance coach and mentor support staff.

This program is targeted for umpires who are participating within their respective association representative teams, state-age titles and championships, and aiming for selection within NSW Metro and Premier League officiating panels, as well as future National Championships and professional officiating opportunities. 

Athlete Eligibility

• Umpires must be Female or Male and between 14 and 18 years of age as of 31 December 2025. 
  • ie born 2007 - 2011
• Umpires must be a registered member of Netball NSW
• Umpires must meet the Academy eligibility criteria. 
• Regional Academies accept, and therefore apply the Netball NSW determination that eligibility for a Regional Academy Netball Umpire program to solely be that of the LGA (residence) of the umpire. This is due to neighbouring LGA's falling within serviced RASi or NNSW provided pathway programs.
• Umpires shall therefore nominate and trial with the Academy that services their LGA. Which for the South West Sydney Academy of Sport is the Council boundaries of Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Wollondilly. 

In addition;

• Umpires shall have obtained, or be progressing towards gaining their National C Badge.
• Umpires shall be actively officiating within their own Association on a regular basis, and are made aware that their decision to participate in the Academy Netball Umpire Program is an indication of their priority as an Umpire over that of an Athlete / player.  

Selection Process

What to Expect:

The Netball Umpire squad is selected based on the umpires performance at an open trial.

The trial will feature a number of skill and drill components, followed by a series of short-sided or modified trial games to assess the umpire's rule knowledge, skill and potential, and may include athletes trialling for the Academy Netball program. 

Elements of sport science testing and/or fitness assessment may be conducted as a part of the trial, however there is no required "pass mark" for these elements to be achieved. 

Only One Trial will be conducted.

Selection Process:

• Umpires must complete a South West Sydney Academy of Sport Athlete Nomination Form prior to the advertised closing date. 
• Umpires must attend the trial date. If an umpire is unable to attend a trial they must provide a reason in writing, prior to that trial to gain an exemption. 
• Prospective umpire Parents must attend an Academy Information session, which will take place at the same time as the trial. This will be identified on the Nomination Page and communicated to parents by the email provided in the nomination form when confirming the trials information. 

• The Academy may select up to 12 umpires from the 14-18yr age group.
• The Academy will select a squad of umpires across a Performance, and a Development Squad.   
• Final selections, number of umpires and squad composition will be made dependant on the talent available during the trial process. 
• Successful umpires will be advised within seven (7) days of the the final trial.  
• Umpires selected within the program may also be referred to as "Academy Athletes" when referencing levies and other program requirements. 

Athlete (Umpire) Scholarship Levy

• An Athlete (Umpire) Scholarship levy of $300 inclusive of GST, will apply to all successful umpires. 
• This levy assists in offsetting the program costs of;
  • Annual Athlete Membership including ID Card, Athlete Journal, Annual Awards Dinner admission; 
  • Training and Development including training venue hire, sports equipment, skill development programming, and guest / coaching costs.
  • Education and Support Services including online access to programs / XPS network, targeted sports education lectures and workshops with guest presenters, sport specific strength and conditioning program with an Academy S&C partner facility, sport science testing, and access to athlete wellbeing and support service network providers.

Additional Fees / Levies

Uniform Costs

• All uniform purchases are to be made via the Academy's uniform supplier ACEIT, utilising their online store. 
• New athletes will be required to purchase uniform consisting of at minimum, Athlete Polo Shirt, Walkout Shorts and Gym T-shirt. The cost of this is approx. $90. 
• New athletes will be provided a discount code to purchase an Academy tracksuit following receipt of payment of the Athlete Scholarship Levy. 
• Additional competition uniform costs exist, specific to sport requirements, which athletes will need to purchase. The required items, if not listed below, will be identified at the sport program induction. 
• Athletes may purchase additional Academy items, that includes Hoodie, Socks, Towel, Sports Bag, Backpacks, and Active Wear. 

• New Umpires will be provided with an Academy Umpire Technical Polo as a part of their Athlete Scholarship Levy. 

Camps, Tours and Tournaments

• Camps, Tours and Tournaments form an important part of each sport program structure. The costs of these events, as with the overall sport program, are heavily subsidised by the Academy and its partners.

• Camp / Tour costs may be applied for certain activities throughout the program year and will be communicated well ahead of the event. These are generally costed at $100-$150 per day and include transport, accommodation and the majority of meal costs, as well as any entry fees associated with tournaments or performance elements of the camp / tour. 

• Three (3) Performance Squad Umpires will be selected to represent the Academy at the Regional Academy Games in Tamworth in April 2025, and will be required to pay a Games levy of between $350 and $400 (subject to sport requirements), which will be invoiced separately to the above Athlete Scholarship Levy.

• Three (3) Performance Squad Umpires will be selected to represent the Academy at the Regional Academy Challenge held in Wollongong in September 2025, and will be required to pay a Games levy of between $250 and $300 (subject to sport requirements), which will be invoiced separately to the above Athlete Scholarship Levy.

• Tournaments and Camps held locally (where the Academy does not provide Accommodation) may attract a nominal fee of between $10 and $50 depending on the sport requirements, and are used to assist in covering the tournament entry, venue hire and any transport costs.

All Athlete levies must be paid in full within 30 days of the invoiced date, or the scholarship offer will be automatically withdrawn; unless financial hardship or payment plan arrangements have been made with the CEO.

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