Athlete development programs

The NTSA Open Futures Program is an ‘early performance pathway’ athlete development program that has a focus on improving physical qualities and the development of Competence, Confidence, Connection and Character (4Cs). The emphasis on personal growth alongside athletic development, exemplifies NTSA’s commitment to “National pride and sporting success by balancing ambitious performance goals with a culture of care, integrity, fair play”. (Win Well 2032). Participants must demonstrate motivation and commitment to the development opportunities made available in the Open Futures program, over a six-month period, before being eligible for consideration to extend into the Futures 2 program.

Session times and dates for each region can be found here.

Open Futures Program

• The NTSA Open Futures program will operate in Darwin, Katherine, Nhulunbuy and Alice Springs.
• Access to the program is open all registered athletes and coaches in organised sport.
• Athletes are to be above 12 years of age.
• The program is designed to address development in the following areas:
  • Maximum Speed (running technique and speed development),
  • Acceleration,
  • Change Of Direction and Agility,
  • Jumping and Landing competency and progression.
  • Physical Conditioning.
• Participants demonstrating motivation and commitment to the development opportunities made available in the Open Futures program over a six-month period, maybe eligible for consideration to extend into the Futures 2 program.
• Waiver form can be found here PDF (389.5 KB).

• The NTSA Futures 2 program will operate in Darwin and Alice Springs.
• Athletes demonstrating commitment to their progression in sport with high levels of attendance, motivation, coachability and citizenship in the Open Futures program, may be offered the opportunity to transfer to the Futures 2 ‘gym based’ physical development program combined with Performance Health and Well Being education.
• The NTSA Futures 2 is also a trial program for athletes applying for the Futures 2032 program. Futures 2032 applicants need to verify their readiness to enter a program with a higher level of NTSA servicing by demonstrating and confirming their ‘trainability’, commitment, motivation, ‘coachability’, and other positive psychological, self-management and relevant traits in the Futures 2 program (FTEM – T2 Talent Verification).
• To be considered for Futures 2, athletes must first complete at least 6 months in the
  NTSA Open Futures program, with demonstrated high levels of attendance (with notification of all absences prior to any session absent), effort and teamwork.

• The NTSA Futures 2032 program operates initially in Darwin.
• Futures 2032 athletes are identified through consultation and collaboration with Northern Territory PSBs and the NSO.
• The Futures 2032 program is a 2-year training phase of amplified NTSA servicing designed to maximise the chance of transfer to the high-performance categorised athlete pathway.
• The Futures 2032 program leverages support from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Performance Pathways Team with a vision for preparing for podium performances in major international events such as the Olympics and World Championships. Athletes who meet NSO categorisation benchmarks during this stage may progress to more formal individualised support through the NTSA Individual Athlete Scholarship program.
• National Athlete Categorisation Framework standards guide the verification process at this stage, ensuring alignment with Australia’s high-performance pathway and the HP2032.
• Applications for the Futures 2032 program are available continuously year round.
• You can apply here: NTSA Futures 2032 Application form.

The Northern Territory Sports Academy offers scholarships to Northern Territory athletes through the Individual Athlete Scholarship Program.

NTSA Individual Athlete Scholarship

The NTSA offers scholarships to Northern Territory athletes. These athletes should be identified by their National Sporting Organisation with scholarships awarded under the National athlete categorization framework.

NTSA athlete scholarships are open to athletes who are from the Northern Territory and (where possible) representing the Northern Territory in competition.

A professional athlete who has a professional sport license (e.g. golf, triathlon) and/or is on a professional contract competition in a national or international league/championship side (e.g. AFL, NRL), is ineligible for the scholarship.

Assessment

Athletes are assessed under one of the five categories of the National Athlete Categorisation Framework:

Level 1. Podium

Athlete who had a medal performance at a world championship (or equivalent) event in the previous 24 months and is considered capable of a medal at the next world championship (or equivalent) event.

Level 2. Podium Ready

Athlete who placed fourth to eight at the most recent world championship (or equivalent) event and is considered capable of progressing to Podium in the next two years.

Level 3. Podium Potential

Athlete who is considered capable of progressing to at least Podium Ready in the next two years.

Level 4. Developing

Athlete who is considered capable of progressing to at least Podium Potential in the next two years. Athlete that has signed a contract with a team competing in a national professional competition (or better).

Level 5. Emerging

Athlete who is considered capable of progressing to at least ‘Developing’ in the next two years. Athlete with capability to achieve national professional competition (or better) status within one to three years.

Scholarship Process

The NTSA athlete scholarship application process follows the steps below:

Step 1. Athlete meets the selection criteria of the NSO as a nationally identified athlete or is an National Sporting Organisation (NSO) high performance categorized athlete.

Step 2. The athlete is advised by their coach to fill out the NTSA Athlete Scholarship Application form  and return it fully completed to the NTSA.

Step 3. The NTSA will meet with the coach and/or parent and/or athlete to outline the requirements and commitment required of both the coach and athlete. The NTSA may require an extended period (i.e. trial) for further evaluations to be made.

Step 4. The applicant may be ratified by the Program Management Group and start the NTIS process for scholarship commencement.

Fill out the NTSA Athlete Scholarship Application PDF (274.4 KB).

If you need further information please email NTSA.PathwaysServices@nt.gov.au.

NTSA Training Agreement

Athletes seeking a NTSA facility user agreement will need approval from the NTSA Director, with approvals assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The following athletes may be considered:

• A Northern Territory resident who is competing nationally or internationally as a professional athlete (but is not a national high performance categorised athlete);
• A national level athlete from interstate or overseas, or a national high performance categorised athlete on scholarship within the National Institute Network, who is based in the Northern Territory for a short period of time (maximum three months);
• An ex-NTSA scholarship holder (up to 12 months hence) who has returned to the
  Northern Territory for a short period of time; or
• A Talent Transfer athlete.

Athletes offered a NTSA facility user agreement are not eligible for financial support from the NTSA but can access NTSA facilities and agreed services on a pre-arranged basis when in the Northern Territory.

Fill out the NTSA Facility User Agreement PDF (288.4 KB).

Step 1
NTSA is notified in writing by respective Peak Sporting Bodies or National Sport Organisations of any NT athlete categorised on their National Athlete Categorisation Framework.
Where a National Sporting Organisation does not have a National Athlete Categorisation Framework, the NTSA will adopt an equivalent process to determine the athlete’s eligibility to apply for a scholarship.

Step 2
The athlete is invited to apply for an NTSA scholarship.

Step 3
In consultation with the applicant, coach and National Sport Organisations, various screening processes are undertaken. These include Medical, Electrocardiogram and Musculoskeletal and can also require a scholarship ‘trial’ period where further assessments can be made.

Step 4
An individual development and performance plan is drafted which incorporates coaching and performance services support.

Step 5
The application for scholarship along with the individual development and performance plan is approved or not by the NTSA Director.

Step 6
A scholarship agreement is drawn up and when signed by the athlete and the NTSA, the scholarship commences.

To find out more about the Individual Athlete Scholarship Program contact NTSA.PathwaysServices@nt.gov.au.

This network is a source of information regarding our NTSA athlete development and coach development programs. Whilst our information will still come via the website and our social media platforms, the Stack Teams App allows registered participants to register for any workshops, masterclasses session, next round intake for athlete/coach scholarships, and general sport related news about our programs.

Go to Team App website and search for 'NT Sports Academy Network' or scan the QR code below.

NT Sports Academy Network - How to join flyer PDF (668.3 KB)