Athletics Southland Development Squad
The Development Squad Programme is for Southland’s young athletes aged 13–20 years old who aspire to go further in their sport by recognising and supporting potential talent and achievement. It sets a foundation that will hopefully see more Southlanders progress to achieving success at a national level and to work towards representing NZ at international level.
Programme Goals:
- Educate Athletes and their parent(s)/guardian(s) on good training practices and skills enabling them to prepare for the next competitive level in the sport,
- Provide assistance to enable athletes to achieve their athletic goals,
- Provide a supportive, fun, team environment of peers & mentors,
- And above all, provide an environment where athletes are continually challenging themselves
The Development Squad Programme is organised by a Probation and 3 Tier Structure:
Probationary Athlete:
Introductory level, recognition of talented young athletes aged 13 and up. The primary object of this level of the Squad is to fill the ‘void’ between Children’s and Senior athletics as well as providing a good foundation in the sports principles of training, competing, and following pathways to realize potential. This is the entry level for all new athletes to the squad. Getting invited to join the Squad is based on performance, talent potential and commitment to the sport. Athletes at this squad level must prove their commitment to the sport and their ability to perform to progress into one of the 3 Tiers.
Tiers 3, 2 and 1:
Progression into each of the 3 Tiers is based on the level of athlete performance, dedication, and commitment to the sport.
Tier 1 is the highest level of the Development Squad. Progression into each of these Tiers is at the discretion of the Squad Directors.
It is possible to move both up and down between each of the 3 Tiers.
Staying in a certain Tier is based mainly on performance. Athletes must achieve good results and show that they want to progress in the sport.
To remain in the Squad, they must keep showing commitment, performance progression and keep getting good results.
Enquiries to Squad Facilitator:
It is a requirement of all squad members to be a registered member of the sport, if you are not registered you cannot take part in squad activities or benefit from squad financial subsidies
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