Softball

Nominations for the 2026/27 program are now OPEN

Nominate Now

The WSAS Softball program is delivered in partnership with Softball NSW and the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) network.

The program forms part of the Softball NSW Athlete Development Pathway and provides selected athletes with technical coaching, education, and exposure to competition environments aligned to state-level development. The program is focused on developing U14-U16 athletes across NSW, ensuring talent is nurtured locally and prepared for potential transition into state and national programs. 

Program Objectives:

Pathway Progression: Advances regional athletes into state and national development systems.

Holistic Growth: Blends technical and physical training with performance education and wellbeing.

Elite Competition: Prepares selected athletes for the Academy Games and designated events.

Coach Mentoring: Upgrades regional coaching standards through targeted state-level collaboration. 

Program Partners

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Selected athletes receive:

  • Structured on-field technical and tactical coaching.
  • Strength and conditioning support throughout the program
  • Access to performance education workshops (nutrition, wellbeing, mental performance).
  • Opportunity to compete at the Academy Games and Softball NSW events.
  • Exposure to Softball NSW Talent Identification staff and state selection opportunities. 
  • Program delivered in alignment with national development frameworks.
 

Additional WSAS benefits:

  • Access to Lumin (Academy athlete performance and management platform)
  • Official WSAS uniform and apparel (Additional costs apply).
  • Nomination support for athlete awards and scholarships
  • Media exposure and community engagement opportunities 
  • Eligibility to apply for Academy partner recognitions and development awards. 

Program Eligibility Criteria

Athletes must:

  • Be born in 2011, 2012 or 2013, turning 13-15 years of age in the calendar year the program commences (2026).
  • Reside in one of the following LGAs: Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Cumberland, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, Penrith, or The Hills.
  • Be committed to progressing to higher representation within Softball
  • Be a registered member of a Softball NSW affiliated club within the Western Sydney region.
  • Complete required RAS, Sport Integrity Australia and Softball NSW education modules.
 
  • Softball NSW Metro Academy
    SNSW inform all WSAS athletes who reside within a RAS catchment area, that their local RAS is their first point of athlete selection, over and above SNSW Metro Academies. 
  • Athletes cannot represent a RAS and Metro Academy at the same time.
The athlete levy contributes towards the overall cost of delivering the Academy programs. Within our high performance programs are items including: 
 
  • Coaching*
  • Access to training facilities*
  • Strength & Conditioning assessments and programming*
  • Sports science testing*
  • Access to Academy Games* (relevant sports/age groups only)
  • Insurance
* Please note, Items marked with an Asterix are components supported through NSW Government grant funding. The grant contribution from the NSW government is limited to costs and activities identified in the approved Project Plan. The remaining portion of the athlete levy contributes towards costs associated with delivering and administering the Academy that are not covered by the NSW Government grant funding.
 
An athlete scholarship levy will apply, covering the above listed program benefits and more. Uniform costs are additional, with Softball‑specific and WSAS items purchased through the official supplier. Additional event costs may apply for Academy Games and other pathway events.

Selection Timeline

  • Nominations Open: September 1st, 2026
  • Nominations Close: September 25th, 2026
  • Trials and/or Selection Period: October – November, 2026
  • Final Squad Announced: November 2026

Program Delivery Period

October 2026 – July 2027

Key Events (Indicative)

Nicholas Agostino
Cohen Beasley
Brooklyn Biggar
Georgia De Souza
Shaylee Dissanayake
Chloe Dunham
Addison Finnimore

Isabella Gostlow
Bridie Harper
Carlijn Harvey
Abbey Hollier
Mackenzie Hutchinson
Lucy Maxwell
Alex Paul-Blake

Emily Puckey
Haarsini Rajeevan
Jaxx Randall
Blake Toovey
Renee Torres
Francesca Vella
Rakaipaaka Walker