The SSA Future Stars Program exists to provide elite and endeavouring athletes with the opportunity to access a holistic approach to high performance services from within the NSW Southern region.
Athletes from all sports are welcome to apply, whether or not their sport is part of a Southern Sports Academy program. This holistic development program focuses on enhancing athletes’ overall performance and wellbeing through individualised strength and conditioning, movement screening, sports psychology, nutrition, and goal setting. It provides expert support to complement home coaches, delivering sports science and wellness services that sit alongside regular skill-based training.
Scholarship holders receive the following benefits:
Access to SSA High Performance Strength & Conditioning (S&C) Sessions with qualified coaches year-round
Individualised, periodised gym programs designed to meet each athlete’s specific developmental needs.
Media exposure through SSA communication channels and promotional platforms.
Access to the Athlete Management System (AMS) – Lumin, enabling athletes to monitor training load, recovery, and wellbeing.
Athlete education workshops covering key topics such as Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Motivation, Leadership, and Load Management.
SSA uniform kit (Tier 1)
Access to SSA’s recommended network of allied health providers, including physiotherapists and sport psychologists.
Athletes are encouraged to take advantage of the full range of benefits available to gain the maximum value from their scholarship experience.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:
Be competing at a regional, state, or national level in their chosen sport.
Be aged between 12 and 25 years.
Reside within the Southern Sports Academy catchment area.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to progressing along their sport’s elite athlete pathway.
Compete in a sport not currently serviced by an SSA program, or fall outside the eligible age range of an existing SSA program. For example: If the SSA Netball Program is open to athletes aged 16 & under, an athlete aged 17–25 may be eligible for a Future Stars scholarship instead.
Athletes will be assessed against the following criteria:
Performance level: Achievement and success at regional, state, or national competition.
Endorsement: Support from a Regional Academy, State Sporting Organisation (SSO), or National Sporting Organisation (NSO).
Potential and progression: Consideration of the athlete’s long-term development potential and alignment with the sport’s elite pathway.
Alexis Phillips – Cycling
Ben Devries – Triathlon
Ella Steenbergen – Little Athletics / Soccer
Jacob McLachlan – Cycling
Ruby Miller – Deaf Football
Sydney Chittenden – Cycling
Xavier Jones – Swimming
