2023 Athletes

Henry Baker

Xanthia Beale

Seth Bellchambers

Nick Bett

Liam Birks

Lara Curry

Eli Fuller

Sean Garcia

Cooper Gersbach

Georgina Hayes

Thomas Johnstone

Rangi Keefe-Horo

Te Nohoangapani Keefe-Horo

Robert Kelson

Kaesha Maxwell

Xaviar Maxwell

Maisy McCrone

Amber McKay

Riley Perkins

Meli Ranitu

Tevita Robertson

Tom Strachan

Tanginui (Kimi) Te Kanawa-Hopa

Benijamini Tudulo

Ben Williment

Rylee Young

Head Coach

Sam Donelan

Assistant Coaches

Tyson Morgan

Harriet Elleman

Manager 

Emily Coffee

Southern Sports Academy athletes come together at least twice a month to receive the best and most professional coaching available in the area.

The program will provide coaching, training, and athletic development to improve athletes with a view to:

• Develop the fundamental skill level of athletes which will enhance their opportunities for selection into Brumbies Representative Teams;
• Prepare athletes to a level where their transition to any Brumbies Team is ‘seamless’ in terms of programs or pathways;
• Increase the level of success of those athletes at competition and events in rugby competition nationwide

In addition to the quality coaching, all scholarship holders in the Academy are also exposed to a range of workshops from our specialist consultants including workshops relating to Sports Psychology, Nutrition, Recovery, Athletic Development as well as receiving Strength and Conditioning training that is specific to their sport.

The Academy will also deliver an Induction and Leadership weekend which is a compulsory event for all athletes of the Academy.

To be eligible for the Academy Rugby Program, athletes must be born between 2005-2007 inclusive (U16-U18 in 2023) and residing or schooling within the SSA catchment area.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits are subject to pending Government Covid Restrictions

• Skills training sessions
• Induction and Leadership camp
• The Academy will be looking into availability of high level games such as the South Coast 7’s Tournament
• Muscular skeletal Screening and Athletic Development programming
• Workshops focussing on Sports Psychology, Strength and Conditioning and Sports Medicine. Workshops relating to
athlete personal development will also be offered during the scholarship period
• Gym membership (dependant on partnerships within your local town)
• Online and face-to-face education relating to athlete personal development
• Annual presentation evening (sit down dinner)
• Southern Sports Academy uniform

A program levy will be applicable to successful athletes.  Also an athlete uniform ordered though our online clothing supplier Puma is required for new athletes.

Athlete levies are subsidised by minimum $100 worth or raffle ticket sales by athletes, this program is also eligible for the NSW Government Active Kids $100 voucher rebate.

* Scholarships are not in the form of a monetary sum but enable the athlete to participate in Academy development programs at a greatly reduced rate.

Nominations are now closed. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Southern Sports Academy’s Rugby Program for 2024, please fill out an Expression of Interest form below, and you will be notified once Nominations open.

Rugby Expression of Interest