Future Champions
Nominations for the 2026/27 program open in October
The WSAS Future Champions program is delivered in partnership with the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) network.
The WSAS Future Champions Program supports emerging athletes who aren’t eligible for existing Academy squads, helping them progress toward State and National representation.
Led by Olympian Melissa Wu in partnership with HrdKAW Strength, the 12‑month program provides mindset training, strength and conditioning, development workshops and access to key performance resources.
Program Partners
Program Benefits
Selected athletes receive:
- A 12‑month WSAS scholarship with education and technical support
- A combined program induction, including introductions to staff and program expectations
- Four development workshops hosted by Olympian Melissa Wu:
- Elite Sport Performance
- Competitive Mindset & Resilience
- Nutrition & Recovery
- Leadership & Communication
Additional WSAS benefits:
- Access to Lumin (Academy athlete performance and management platform)
- Support for award and scholarship nominations
- Community engagement and corporate partner exposure
- Promotion through WSAS media channels
Athlete Eligibility
Program Eligibility Criteria
Athletes must:
- Aged 13 – 18 years in 2026 (born 2008-2013)
- Not be eligible to apply for a WSAS squad based program in the same year
- Be committed to progressing to higher representation within your chosen sport
- Be a registered member of a local club or association within the Western Sydney region.
- Reside in one of the following LGAs: Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, Penrith, or The Hills.
Strength & Conditioning Add-on
Athletes can choose to value add to their program, with the option to participate in a high-performance Strength & Conditioning (S&C) program delivered by HrdKAW Strength. Details include:
- $600 per 12-week training block (special WSAS athlete rate)
- WSAS will subsidise $300 per athlete for first block
- Includes personalised S&C programming, coaching, recovery support, and unlimited access to sessions
One full scholarship is awarded in term 1 by HrdKAW Strength to a selected Future Champions athlete demonstrating commitment and future potential
Athlete Levy
Key Dates
Selection Timeline
- Nominations Open: September 2025
- Nominations Close: October 2025
- Trials and/or Selection Period: October–November 2025/26
Program Delivery Period
February 2026 – September 2026
Key Events (Indicative)
- Your Local Club Academy Games: 17th-18th April, 2026 (Tamworth) *
- Netball NSW Academy Challenge: TBC *
- Netball NSW Talent ID & State Events: TBC*
*invitation only
2025/26 Squad
Elijah Andrew
Nate Appleyard
Aliyah Bennett
Adelaide Biermann
Edwina Biermannn
Emma Borg
Tahlia Chapman
Lior Cohen
Luke Csillag
Sylvia Dagg
Stella Davies
Lucas Dawes
Nehara De Mel
Nathan Hall
Luke Hoddinett
William Hunt
Omar Khaliqi
Mehnaaz Khaliqi
Piper Kreiss
Harry Lewis
Hanna Lewis
Charlize Mackie
Ashleigh Mansell
Grace Milthorpe
Charlie Morgan
Maddison Oliffe
Sophie Polkinghorne
Thomas Reeks
Peyton Regner
Jack Sammut
Olivia Skuse-Hourn
Summer Thompson
Delinda Thompson
Elyse Victoria Walker
Matilda Webb (Ambassador)
